When to go: Las Vegas, New York and Thailand
Las Vegas
The hot season runs from early June to mid-September, with average highs above 35°C; from late November to late February highs stay below 19°C, which suits walking the Strip. Nevada law bars anyone under 21 from gambling or loitering in casino gaming areas, which matters for families with older teenagers. The Grand Canyon's South Rim is 278 miles away by road, so a day trip there means a very early start. For a Strip stay, see Luxury Las Vegas or Vdara Hotel Vegas.
New York
Summer is hot and humid, and the cold season lasts from early December to mid-March with highs below 9°C. If your package has no transfer, AirTrain JFK links every terminal to the subway at Jamaica and Howard Beach, and you pay by tapping a contactless card or phone. For a Manhattan stay, see the Luxury New York Break.
Thailand
Phuket's wet season runs from late April to early December, and rain eases through November; January and February are the driest months. For a beach stay, see Pure Relaxation: Phuket & Krabi Beach Retreat, or for the city, Bangkok Bliss. Our Thailand guide covers the regions and weather in more detail.
What affects the price of short breaks abroad
- Departure date. The same package is priced differently from one date to the next, so flexible dates help.
- Transfers. Some packages include airport transfers and some do not, so add taxi or train fares when comparing.
- Resort fees in Las Vegas. Many Las Vegas hotels add a nightly resort fee per room, so check whether the price includes it or whether it is payable at the hotel.
- Meals. If your hotel is room only, budget for eating out every day.
Passports and entry rules: USA and Thailand
USA. British passport holders need an approved ESTA or a US visa before travel, and a passport valid for the whole stay. The FCDO warns that an older ESTA without the selfie photograph now required may need replacing, so check your ESTA account before you fly. If you cannot get an ESTA, apply for a visa early: the FCDO says appointments at the US Embassy in London are limited.
Thailand. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from arrival with one blank page, and you must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before arrival. Visa-exempt tourist stays are up to 30 days, normally with two entries per calendar year. Check the FCDO Thailand entry requirements before you book, as the rules change.
Short break holidays FAQs
How many nights is a short break?
Usually three to four nights in Europe. For a long-haul city like Las Vegas, New York or Bangkok, four nights or more gives you time to recover from the flight and still see the main sights.
Can I use an ESTA if I have been to Cuba?
Not if you travelled to or were in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021. The same applies if you have been to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011.
How long does jet lag last?
The NHS says it usually improves within a few days. Switch to local sleep times as soon as you arrive and get outside in daylight to help your body clock adjust.
