First time pilgrim and going solo...

[SeattleJen]

... but I'm really looking forward to meeting whoever new I am going to meet. Flying into Gatwick from Seattle April 3, and plan to leave SJPDP around April 5. The unanswered question right now is how to get from Gatwick to the start quickly, cheaply, and in a way that my body can sleep off the jet lag of coming from Pacific Standard Time (it usually takes me a day and a half to recover from jet lag because I cannot sleep on planes). See you on the trail!

 

[Scott...O]

... but I'm really looking forward to meeting whoever new I am going to meet. Flying into Gatwick from Seattle April 3, and plan to leave SJPDP around April 5. The unanswered question right now is how to get from Gatwick to the start quickly, cheaply, and in a way that my body can sleep off the jet lag of coming from Pacific Standard Time (it usually takes me a day and a half to recover from jet lag because I cannot sleep on planes). See you on the trail!

One way you might want consider: fly from Gatwick to Pamplona, then bus to SJPdP.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Ryanair to Biarritz? It may be seasonal schedule.

 

[Tina B]

Ryanair to Biarritz? It may be seasonal schedule.

Gatwick to Biarritz starts in May so consider other 'London' airports, connecting by bus or rail, e.g. 5 April
13:55 – 16:55 Ryanair 2 h 0 m flt from STN–BIQ Non-stop One way is £51 at the moment and
price includes taxes + fees for 1 adult but Additional bag fees and other fees may apply. Personnaly, I fly with hand luggage only so no extra charges... Good luck

 

[andywild]

I have just booked London Stansted to Biarritz for mid April.. it was £15. I fly with Ryanair.

 

[SeattleJen]

Thanks for your help, everyone. I came up with a solution late last night that also works to cure the "awake for 24 hours jet lag" problem. Instead of immediately jumping to the continent like I originally wanted (but the flight schedules from Gatwick were not cooperating), I found a really cheap price on a hotel that is in the airport. So on April 3 I will immediately go from customs to a hotel called "Bloc," catch up on sleep there, then catch an 8:15 am EasyJet to Bordeaux on April 4 -- hopefully bright eyed and bushy tailed. Train from Bordeaux to SJPDP, sleep one more full night, then I'm leaving on my target date of April 5 still. That works, right?

What was really giving me angst is the fact that I KNOW I will not sleep on this 9 hour overnight flight from Seattle. We were in Paris last fall and once again I could not sleep a wink on the flight. My husband secured tickets to a Paris St Germain playoff game our first night, which should have been a thrilling game, but I was a walking zombie having not slept in 36 hours. I was really panicking last night thinking about having to stay awake after that long flight with my pack waiting for a 9 pm flight to France. I could not start my camino in zombie mode! Ugh!

Maybe eventually some day my brain will decide it's ok to sleep on planes. 25 years of intercontinental travel and my brain still mistreats me so.

Thanks again!

 

[Tina B]

Thanks for your help, everyone. I came up with a solution late last night that also works to cure the "awake for 24 hours jet lag" problem. Instead of immediately jumping to the continent like I originally wanted (but the flight schedules from Gatwick were not cooperating), I found a really cheap price on a hotel that is in the airport. So on April 3 I will immediately go from customs to a hotel called "Bloc," catch up on sleep there, then catch an 8:15 am EasyJet to Bordeaux on April 4 -- hopefully bright eyed and bushy tailed. Train from Bordeaux to SJPDP, sleep one more full night, then I'm leaving on my target date of April 5 still. That works, right?

What was really giving me angst is the fact that I KNOW I will not sleep on this 9 hour overnight flight from Seattle. We were in Paris last fall and once again I could not sleep a wink on the flight. My husband secured tickets to a Paris St Germain playoff game our first night, which should have been a thrilling game, but I was a walking zombie having not slept in 36 hours. I was really panicking last night thinking about having to stay awake after that long flight with my pack waiting for a 9 pm flight to France. I could not start my camino in zombie mode! Ugh!

Maybe eventually some day my brain will decide it's ok to sleep on planes. 25 years of intercontinental travel and my brain still mistreats me so.

Thanks again!

Jolly good. Make sure that you bring earplugs as sleeping in dorms is also very tough, IMHO!

 

[SeattleJen]

Jolly good. Make sure that you bring earplugs as sleeping in dorms is also very tough, IMHO!

Good suggestion! Thank you! I'm not necessarily a light sleeper but I will bring some just in case.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

... but I'm really looking forward to meeting whoever new I am going to meet. Flying into Gatwick from Seattle April 3, and plan to leave SJPDP around April 5. The unanswered question right now is how to get from Gatwick to the start quickly, cheaply, and in a way that my body can sleep off the jet lag of coming from Pacific Standard Time (it usually takes me a day and a half to recover from jet lag because I cannot sleep on planes). See you on the trail!

Ryanair flies out of Stanstead. Not sure if they are seasonal or not but check out Ryanair to see. If so, it may be a cheap way of getting to Biarritz. From there, it is an easy 1 hour taxi ride to SJPdP.

 

[tpmchugh]

... but I'm really looking forward to meeting whoever new I am going to meet. Flying into Gatwick from Seattle April 3, and plan to leave SJPDP around April 5. The unanswered question right now is how to get from Gatwick to the start quickly, cheaply, and in a way that my body can sleep off the jet lag of coming from Pacific Standard Time (it usually takes me a day and a half to recover from jet lag because I cannot sleep on planes). See you on the trail!

As far as I know you can fly from London Stanstead to Biaritz with Ryanair. There is a bus transfer between airports. I am flying 5th April Dublin to Biarritz so maybe meet you on the trail

 

[Tincatinker]

It's really easy to get a £15 flight out of Stanstead. Mainly because the transfer from Gatwick, Heathrow or central London comes in at £30 - 50.
Ah, the joys of international travel

 

[trecile]

You might want to consider booking at Orisson to make the trek over the Pyrenees a bit easier whole you are still jetlagged.
http://www.refuge-orisson.com/en/

 

[grayland]

@SeattleJen ....hopefully you have had most of your questions answered for your adventure.
If you still have some things you want to talk about...PM me here on the forum and maybe we can get together here in Seattle if you want.

 

[SeattleJen]

You might want to consider booking at Orisson to make the trek over the Pyrenees a bit easier whole you are still jetlagged.
http://www.refuge-orisson.com/en/

Wow, that is beautiful! I was planning to walk via Valcarlos for the first stage because I'm not able to work out as much as I want in preparation for the trip (thanks, crazy job), and I want to make sure I set myself up for success in the beginning. However, you make a strong case for Orisson by simply sharing a link. Thanks!

 

[SeattleJen]

@SeattleJen ....hopefully you have had most of your questions answered for your adventure.
If you still have some things you want to talk about...PM me here on the forum and maybe we can get together here in Seattle if you want.

Thank you everyone! I finally figured out a solution yesterday: I'm going to sleep off the jet lag at a hotel inside Gatwick, then take an early morning flight to Bordeaux the next day. I'm disappointed to have to spend an extra day in London before hopping over to the continent, but this is the best way to make sure I'm bright eyed and bushy tailed for starting April 5. I appreciate everyone's help here!

Grayland, I may take you up on your offer in March after my major work project is completed. I appreciate the local connection!

 

[OTH86]

I'd be happy to meet you as well - PM, if you wish.

 

[SeattleJen]

I'd be happy to meet you as well - PM, if you wish.

Thank you! I will. It will be mid-March (2-3 weeks before I leave) because a work project is trying to kill me first. I suppose if I survive this work event, the Camino will be a piece of cake. ;-)

 

[OTH86]

Ahhh - but work and the Camino are SOOOO different! But you WILL survive the work, and perhaps the Camino will be the reward! Will look forward to hearing from you in mid-March, and meeting you! Best of luck with the job!
~Terry

 

[André2112]

... but I'm really looking forward to meeting whoever new I am going to meet. Flying into Gatwick from Seattle April 3, and plan to leave SJPDP around April 5. The unanswered question right now is how to get from Gatwick to the start quickly, cheaply, and in a way that my body can sleep off the jet lag of coming from Pacific Standard Time (it usually takes me a day and a half to recover from jet lag because I cannot sleep on planes). See you on the trail!

Looks like we will start our camino on the same date, we might just run/walk into each other!

 

[thesmiths2]

I'm a first timer headed from Seattle, as well, but I arrive late March. Have a great time!

 

[Rclarke]

I’m a first timer as well flying Calgary to Gatwick April 3/4 taking the train on April 4 to Paris overnight there and train into SJPP on the 5 starting the 6th, I haves booked the Bloc at Gatwick on the return leg. Hope to do the Napoleon route but apparently it is closed until April 1,