Almost every argument about where to go is really an argument about two things: how much it costs a head, and whether the weekend is about going out or getting away. Settle those and the shortlist writes itself.

Cost per head is the thing that decides who comes. These are the twelve cheapest destinations we cover, ordered by what three nights costs before travel.

No flights, no passports, and nobody has to take three days off. A domestic hen weekend removes most of what makes group travel fall apart, and the gap in quality between these and a flight away is smaller than people expect.

Old Town closes are made for a group that wants a big night and a bigger walk the next morning. Three nights runs $320 to $520 a head before travel, and the months worth going are May–Sep.

A spa city small enough to do on foot, which is the whole point when there are twelve of you. Three nights runs $300 to $480 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Apr–Oct.

An hour from London, and the only British seaside town where a big group in fancy dress raises no eyebrows. Three nights runs $260 to $430 a head before travel, and the months worth going are May–Sep.

The best value big night in Britain. Everything is walkable and nothing shuts early.

Northern Quarter for the day, Ancoats for dinner, and a choice of about forty places for after. Three nights runs $240 to $400 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Apr–Oct.

Expensive, but the only place where everyone can get what they want in one weekend. Three nights runs $400 to $700 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Apr–Oct.

Street art, harbour bars and a hot-air balloon if you get the morning right. Three nights runs $230 to $390 a head before travel, and the months worth going are May–Sep.

Cheap, compact and loud, with the Brecon Beacons an hour away for the recovery day. Three nights runs $200 to $350 a head before travel, and the months worth going are May–Sep.

Surf all day, fire pit all evening. The British answer to a beach weekend, weather permitting.

One big house, a private chef and nobody driving anywhere. The low-effort option.

Medieval streets, an absurd number of pubs, and everything inside the city walls. Three nights runs $220 to $370 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Apr–Oct.

A short hop, a warm welcome and pubs that will absorb a group of any size. Three nights runs $300 to $500 a head before travel, and the months worth going are May–Sep.

Small, musical and on the edge of the Atlantic. Better for a group that wants scenery with the pints.

For the group that would rather swim in a lake than queue for a club. Three nights runs $280 to $470 a head before travel, and the months worth going are May–Sep.

Cheap for Western Europe, warm nine months a year, and the nights run very late. Three nights runs $330 to $550 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct.

Port cellars, riverside dinners and about half the price of Lisbon on a weekend. Three nights runs $280 to $460 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Apr–Oct.

Beach in the morning, tapas at eleven, out until four. Works for almost every group.

No beach, so the whole city goes out instead. Dinner at ten is early.

Two islands in one: the north is yoga and coves, the south is the thing it is famous for. Three nights runs $550 to $950 a head before travel, and the months worth going are May–Sep.

Small, flat and cycleable, with a bar for every mood within ten minutes of anywhere. Three nights runs $380 to $620 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Apr–Sep.

For a group that wants a night out with no dress code and no closing time. Three nights runs $300 to $500 a head before travel, and the months worth going are May–Sep.

Thermal baths by day, ruin bars by night, and the cheapest big weekend in Europe. Three nights runs $240 to $420 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Apr–Jun, Sep.

Beautiful, walkable and cheap, with beer that costs less than water. Three nights runs $240 to $420 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Apr–Jun, Sep.

The lowest per-head cost on this list without feeling like a compromise. Three nights runs $200 to $350 a head before travel, and the months worth going are May–Sep.

Whitewashed, photogenic and priced accordingly. Beach clubs are the entire itinerary.

A Roman palace you can drink inside, with a hundred islands off the harbour. Three nights runs $300 to $520 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Jun–Sep.

Villa, pool, beach club, repeat. Easy flights and reliable sun.

Better for a smaller, slower group than a big loud one. Dinner is the event.

The most-booked bachelorette city in America, and it knows it. Broadway is relentless.

Cheap flights from everywhere, everything under one roof, and no last orders. Three nights runs $800 to $1,400 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Mar–May, Sep–Nov.

Beach clubs, boat days and a night scene that starts after midnight. Three nights runs $900 to $1,500 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Nov–Apr.

Desert pools, resort spas and a walkable Old Town. Second only to Nashville for bookings.

Pastel houses, serious restaurants and a beach twenty minutes out. Walkable and cheaper than Miami.

Squares, oaks and an open-container law, which does most of the work for you. Three nights runs $600 to $950 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Mar–May, Oct–Nov.

Live music, lake days and barbecue. Rowdy without the Vegas price tag.

Music, food and a city that never asks you to go home. Three nights runs $650 to $1,050 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Feb–May, Oct–Nov.

One mid-century house with a pool, and nobody leaves it for three days. Three nights runs $700 to $1,150 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Oct–May.

A driver, four wineries and a long lunch. The slowest, most expensive option here.

Reliable weather, real beaches and a low-key night scene. Good when the group can’t agree.

An island at the end of a road, small enough to do by bike and drink by foot. Three nights runs $800 to $1,300 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Dec–Apr.

The cheapest option on the US list, and the one with mountains. Three nights runs $550 to $900 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.

Expensive and exhausting, but the only place that can absorb any group and any budget. Three nights runs $950 to $1,600 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov.

Jungle, cenotes and beach clubs. The most-photographed option on this list.

Villas, boat days and a marina that goes hard. Direct flights from most of the US.

A riad with a plunge pool, a hammam and a souk. Cheap once you have landed.

Winter sun when Europe has none, with brunch culture as the main event. Three nights runs $700 to $1,300 a head before travel, and the months worth going are Nov–Mar.

Lagoons, volcanoes and northern lights. A trip nobody in the group will have done before.

Long flight, low daily cost. Worth it if the group can take a full week.