It's usually the first argument in the group chat. Half the lads want Prague, the other half want Newcastle, and the groom says he doesn't mind. Here's how to settle it with facts rather than volume.
The short answer
- Go UK if the group is big, the ages are mixed, money is tight for some, or people can only spare a Saturday.
- Go abroad if the group is tight-knit, everyone can take a Friday off, flights from your nearest airport are cheap, and the groom fancies sunshine or something different.
The rest of this guide is the detail behind those two lines.
Side by side
| UK city | Europe | |
|---|---|---|
| Our trips from | £75 pp for one night | £145 pp for two nights |
| Flights | None | Extra, booked by the group |
| Shortest sensible trip | One night | Two nights |
| Time off work | Often none | Usually a Friday, sometimes a Monday |
| Passports | Not needed (photo ID for clubs) | Needed, with validity rules |
| Late joiners and drop-outs | Easy to add someone on a train | Flights make late changes dear |
| Weather | Pack a coat | Sunshine likely in Spain and Portugal from late spring |
| Local rules | Familiar | Vary by city, with fines for some |
Cost: closer than you'd think
The beer in Prague is cheaper than in Manchester. The flight to Prague is not free. Once you add flights, a European weekend often lands at the same total as a UK one, and sometimes more.
A rough comparison for one person, using our from-prices and typical extras:
- Two nights in Newcastle: Newcastle Classic from £270 pp, plus around £60 travel and £250 spending. About £580.
- Two nights in Prague: Prague Classic from £285 pp (with airport transfers), plus £100 to £200 flights and around £180 spending. About £565 to £665.
Abroad comes out ahead when flights are cheap from your airport and you're going somewhere drinks cost less. The UK comes out ahead when you can do it in one night, or when half the group would need an expensive flight. For the whole breakdown, see how much a stag do costs.
Time: one night versus a long weekend
A UK stag can be a Saturday-to-Sunday overnight, so nobody books leave. Abroad, two nights is the sensible minimum, which means a Friday off, and early flights on a Sunday can turn into a Monday off too. For dads with young kids and anyone self-employed, that's a real cost, and it's often the hidden reason people drop out.
The group: size and ages
Big groups are easier at home. Twenty people on one train is simple; twenty people on one flight means someone always misses the cheap fare. Mixed-age groups also tend to do better in the UK, because the uncles and future father-in-law can join for the Saturday and head home.
If you've got fifteen or more, read our guide to activities that work for big groups before deciding.
Papers and rules
At home, the only document you'll need is photo ID for the club door. Abroad, every passport has to meet the rules (for most of Europe: issued less than ten years before you arrive, and valid for three months after you leave). Check them all before anyone books a flight.
Cities abroad are also stricter about stag groups than they used to be. Barcelona has banned organised pub crawls across the whole city. Prague bans them overnight. Amsterdam fines drinking in the street. None of this ruins a weekend, but your group should know before they go. Our guide to the rules abroad covers each city.
The experience
This is the bit that's hard to put in a table. Abroad has the feeling of a proper trip: the airport pint, the new city, the sunshine, the story you'll tell in the speech. A UK city has its own strengths. Everyone knows how it works, nobody worries about the language or the money, and you can spend more on the things you'll remember rather than on getting there. Neither is the wrong answer if it suits the groom.
The time of year
Season changes the answer. In summer, abroad is at its best: Albufeira and Barcelona have the beach, the boats and the late nights. It's also when flights are dearest, so price them early.
In winter, the UK holds up well. Indoor activities, a big dinner and a night out work just as well in January as in July, and a cosy pub in Edinburgh beats a closed beach bar. Some resort nightlife abroad winds down off-season, so check before booking a winter date in a beach town. Cities like Prague, Dublin and Amsterdam run all year.
Still split? Three ways to settle it
- Ask the groom to pick. It's his weekend.
- Put two real options to a vote, with a real per-person price for each, including flights. Votes on vague ideas never end; votes on prices do.
- Let the core group decide. The people who are definitely coming matter more than the ones who might.
Where to start
For home, see the best UK cities for a stag do. For abroad, see the best European cities. Or browse every destination.
Want two options priced side by side? Tell us about the group and mention both cities. We'll send a plan within 24 hours, so you can put real numbers to the vote. We arrange the stay, the activities and the transfers; flights abroad are booked by the group.