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Are you flying on separate tickets? If so, that's a very tight "connection". As you will have to go through passport control, then go to bag drop to check you bags, then through security. Can you travel carry-on only with just your backpacks? Do you have a plan B?Hi all, We start our journey from Ottawa to Santiago in less than a month and I'm stressing about the time between flights. We arrive at Gatwick at 8:45am north terminal and leave for Santiago via Madrid at 10:50am. from South terminal. We will be checking our bags and we will not be able to check the bags through to Santiago. Has anyone out there done this either successfully or unsuccessfully? ¡Gracias!
Thanks so much. Very helpful. It's unfortunate that WestJet has such small sized carry on sizes. Our packs start at 56cm and up. I'll check out that fast track. I did prebook front of plane seats. I will also familiarize myself with the map of the airport.There are quite a few international flights come in at that time in the morning to Gatwick, so let us say, it takes you an hour to pass through the lovely UK passport control as a non EU resident, which can be realistic, as you come in after a large Emirates flight from Dubai.
If the flight (from Halifax?) is on time, 1 hour through passport control is 09.25. Half an hour to pick your bags (which should be out before you), dash for the shuttle between North and South terminals and find the Iberia check in. You are at 1 hour before your flight, which is right on the time check on closes. Possible, but at any rate, very stressful, and no time for any delays.
What I would advise, if this is your booked flights, is availing yourself of the premium (fast track) border services at Gatwick, because this could easily knock off 30 minutes queuing through passport control, and those 30 minutes should make a lot of difference.
Go to www.premium.gatwick.com to buy these, well in advance, as they limit the numbers issued per day.
You can buy fast track passport clearance on arrival for £ 7 per person, and also, separately, buy fast track security for your Madrid flight for £ 5 per person, which, again, should save you 10 minutes, when every minute counts. There is no passport control going out, and one common security area (with the fast track separated).
Small money for what could otherwise mean you miss your onward flight, which probably would be at your cost, as you are not on a through ticket.
Also, pay extra for a seat as far towards the front of the plane on your flight from Canada as your class of ticket allows. Sometimes it can take 20 minutes to physically exit the plane, and you do not have that free time.
It would make a difference, because it would mean that @suzTeach wouldn't have to take the time to check the bags in for the next flight.Carry on at WestJet, actually will make little difference.
Are these flights all booked separately? If so, you carry all the risk. If you miss a flight you will likely have to purchase a new ticket at your expense (and at walk up prices) . Travel insurance doesn't often cover missed flights on separate tickets, unless there is a very large time cushion between flights.Thanks John - not that I'm thankful for your message! We do have travel insurance so I'll read up on that. Next flight with Iberia has a 1 hr layover in Barcelona. What are the chances of meeting that?!
@suzTeach - You haven't clarified whether you have a single booking from Canada to Santiago, or whether you booked those portions separately. This makes a total difference in how you would manage the risk on all your connections!
But Westjet is not a charter airline and may have partnerships.I think it's pretty clear - flying transatlantic with WestJet and then separately Iberia to Madrid... you save money by using a charter airline
One hundred likesI've hit the like button for posts here but I really have to add another appreciation here for @peb's posts to help a stranger out.
Phew! Mine too!Thanks everyone for all of your ideas and suggestions. One of the reasons I am walking the Camino is to reduce the stress in my life. As I was out on one of my training walks, or was it when I couldn't sleep (!) I came up with the idea of changing our flight from Ottawa to London to a day earlier thus removing the time constraint. It did cost some money and staying another day in London will obviously cost us £ but 1) we have a day to recover from jet lag 2) my travel Amigas and I get to see some more of London and 3) we can arrive at the airport well in time for the flight to Spain. Stress level dropped from 10 to 5! (5 being my normal for pre travel!)
I'm happy to hear that you have changed your flights and reduced your stress. The last thing you need before starting the Camino is more stress!Thanks everyone for all of your ideas and suggestions. One of the reasons I am walking the Camino is to reduce the stress in my life. As I was out on one of my training walks, or was it when I couldn't sleep (!) I came up with the idea of changing our flight from Ottawa to London to a day earlier thus removing the time constraint. It did cost some money and staying another day in London will obviously cost us £ but 1) we have a day to recover from jet lag 2) my travel Amigas and I get to see some more of London and 3) we can arrive at the airport well in time for the flight to Spain. Stress level dropped from 10 to 5! (5 being my normal for pre travel!)
Thanks everyone for all of your ideas and suggestions. One of the reasons I am walking the Camino is to reduce the stress in my life. As I was out on one of my training walks, or was it when I couldn't sleep (!) I came up with the idea of changing our flight from Ottawa to London to a day earlier thus removing the time constraint. It did cost some money and staying another day in London will obviously cost us £ but 1) we have a day to recover from jet lag 2) my travel Amigas and I get to see some more of London and 3) we can arrive at the airport well in time for the flight to Spain. Stress level dropped from 10 to 5! (5 being my normal for pre travel!)
So just to let you know, since I changed my flight, we were rested when we started in Sarria. We agreed that we would have been exhausted already. Had a wonderful time in London on our extra day. Also, the Camino was amazing. I know why people do it again and again and again!Thanks so much peb! Impressive details and so helpful for us and other readers. I've passed this on to the others in my group and we'll see what the consensus is!
So, keep saying it! Delighted to read your ‘we got there’ posts! Buen camino now has a place in your life!It's hard not to say buen Camino to everyone you see with a backpack
I sincerely hope that it works out for you.
This thread reminds me why I, prior to my 1st Camino, deliberately bought a backpack that would pass as hand luggage. Additional benefit is that I do not overpack.
Poles can be bought in Spain.
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