Absolutely!

My wife and I do the "leave thursday night, return Sunday" thing to Europe every year. We've done Paris a couple of times, London a couple of times, Dublin, etc. It's a very enjoyable way of seeing a city without spending a fortune on lots of hotel nights, meals, etc.

Piece of cake from the east coast. Not much different than flying to Hawaii for a long weekend from the west coast (something we used to frequently do when he had a home on Maui).

A same day return trip to Europe? Wow, she must have had like 2 1/2 hours on the ground. I don't know if I could do that in coach. Luckily with the Train Station being right in FRA, that would make for an easy commute. Mainz has some very good places to eat.

Perhaps I did not explain this crazy situation sufficiently. Departure of flight from Houston on LH441 (UA code share, # I do not remember, EQM just over 5000) ~ 5PM with arrival in Frankfurt about 8AM local time (flight time ~ 9 hrs). You are correct, she spent day on train travel (we love the trains and she grow up in Austria so knows the language as an ~local and we usually have time left on Eurorail 1st class train passes as we did that time and as you know there is a wonderful train station at/under arrivals in Frankfurt airport). She returned to Frankfurt via train same day, had dinner, stayed in airport area overnight, and then left on LH 440 next day for 11 hr non-stop to Houston (EQM just over 5000).

Although I did not say she was in Y, we have a policy that anything under 9 hrs on 777 we go Y---UA status gives us chance at exit row seats, etc. on UA and LH and we typically use only those two carriers + SQ. She was unable to use my gifted SWU on LH as C was booked full so she was forced to return Y and she was not a happy camper.

Yes, I do not recommend her itn. as a relaxing get away or for anything other than what it was---acquiring miles at a modest cost for those who need same for re-up to Elite status.

Sorry for any confusion on details.

PS thanks for your interest and especially for your comment on Mainz as we have never stopped there. We are usually getting to Munich -Saltzburg-Wien area as quickly as we can.

A home in Maui, wow, wife and I are quite envious.

3 days is plenty of time - I've had many weekend getaways including to US (leave Friday after work, have < 24 hours in US fly back arriving just in time for work on Monday) & asia-pacific region.

We do Paris and London a couple of times a year over 3 or 4 day weekends, and IMHO Paris is easier of the two just because we don't do theatre every day. We walk around our favorite areas of the city, see a museum or two, walk in a garden, windowshop (till the Exchange rate improves I'm not even tempted to buy) and have some wonderful meals. We take an evening flight over and always make reservations for a fabulous lunch on our last day before leaving to catch an afternoon return.

She should do it!

Especially because she can sleep on the plane, her energy levels shouldn't be drained too much. Paris is just a fantastic city, she just needs to decide in advance what things are most important for her to see.

Oh, and remind herself that she'll be returning at some point, so doesn't have to fit everything in this time!

Yes! Paris is always worth it. You don't say where you are located, but from the east coast these kinds of trips seem to be quite common; the New York Times a couple of years ago had an article about doing them. Their advice was to stay up late and get up late; this way you minimize the jet lag. And, as others have said, you don't need to try to see everything, because you will be back. If you decide to do it, have a great time, and don't forget to post a trip report.

That makes a little more sense to me. I thought you were saying she arrived on say Saturday morning, waited the 2 1/2 or so hours, and then got back on the same US bound airplane she got off of. That (to me) would have been a little extreme.

I too love M�nchen, and go there whenever I get a chance. As for travelling in coach, on the flight back stateside, I can easily fly Y because I know I shouldn't be sleeping then anyway. But the flight to Europe, that usually wipes me out. I usually fly US because it is most convenient for me, but whenever I can get out on BA, the WT+ cabin is sort of the best of both worlds for me. US is certainly not the most comfortable airline for long haul travel. Luckily, when I do the CLT-FRA hop, it is on an A330.

Best wishes and continue to enjoy your travels.

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Would a three day weekend in Paris be logical, economical and practical?[/QUOTE]

It makes perfect sense to me. I'll make any excuse to get to Paris.

Bobi

Sure, it's always nice to be able to stay a little longer, but we've done 3/4 day trips to London and Paris too. Three days gives you time to see the sights, do a couple of nice walks, eat well and come home knowing you've been out of the normal rut. It's a great idea!

Certainly, but the OP is not travelling westbound, which obviously makes an easier weekend (though a more difficult return to work after a red-eye flight).

Although I failed to mention, on the grounds of non-comparibility, the number of one-night (at destination) trips I make from the UK to Hong Kong ...