Two Sisters from US starting Frances in June

[CatherineAnn]

Hi everyone!

I read the email thread and the forum has become something I look forward to everyday. Thank you to all who have gone before and are willing to share your experience and advice.

My sister and I are starting in Leon around the middle of June. We are both up there in years and will be taking our time and enjoying the journey.

I feel very fortunate to have miles of trails near my house to train on in the fabulous Rocky Mountain foothills.

As soon as we have our plane tickets and dates set for sure, I will post our dates on the calendar. I am getting nervous that plane fares will go up because of fuel costs. Who knew it was going to cost and arm and a leg to get to Europe? :shock:

 

[Arn]

CatherineAnn,

Keep checking the economy fare folks, such as Kayak. They will check out the top travel groups: Expedia, Cheaptics, etc. You can also ask for emails sent direct to you when there are "short term" sales and specials.

Buen Camino

Arn

 

[tyrrek]

CatherineAnn,

Keep checking the economy fare folks, such as Kayak. They will check out the top travel groups: Expedia, Cheaptics, etc. You can also ask for emails sent direct to you when there are "short term" sales and specials.

Buen Camino

Arn

I agree. I first went from the UK to the States about 20 years ago and sometimes still see similar fares quoted now, despite the oil prices. Shop around and you'll get a bargain if you're imaginative and/or are willing to spend a night in Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna etc. All good places to be!

Buen Camino!

 

[skilsaw]

A night in London is frightfully expensive. At least that is how I found it. What I saved on the discount Air Fare I spent in London.

Back to your journey with your sister. Leon to Santiago is a terrific section to walk if you only have 2 weeks of walking plus travel days.

As for training, some do it, some don't. I believe in it. For strength, walk with your backpack filled, and walk up stairs or hills. If you have a 20 storey building near by, walk up the stairs two or three times, but slowly, one step at a time. For endurance, go on 6 to 8 hour walks. Don't expect to be able to climb 60 flights of stairs or walk for 8 hours right away. Build up to it.

Describing yourself as "up there in years", you will fit right in. The majority of the pilgrims are middle aged. On my Camino I met a French woman who was 82 years old. She was plodding along. Not in a hurry. A very peaceful person.

Having decided to walk the Camino, your camino has already started. The next couple months of preparation are part of the journey.

Buen Camino,
David, Victoria, Canada

 

[tyrrek]

A night in London is frightfully expensive. At least that is how I found it. What I saved on the discount Air Fare I spent in London.

Agreed. It can be, especially hotel prices. The way you can make it work for you is to avoid staying in London itself.
1) Arrive Heathrow
2) Bus to Stansted
3) Stay at a hotel near Stansted (much cheaper than London proper)
4) Ryanair to Biarritz (as little as £50 one way)

Buen Camino!

 

[Bozzie]

It's my understanding that going through London is quite expensive. I'm going to fly to Madrid from Dallas, as the taxes or additional surcharge moneys are $400 -600 US dollars on top of the price of tickets flying from London.
Does anyone have more information on the additional charges paid from London?
Thank you,
Bozzie

A night in London is frightfully expensive. At least that is how I found it. What I saved on the discount Air Fare I spent in London.

Agreed. It can be, especially hotel prices. The way you can make it work for you is to avoid staying in London itself.
1) Arrive Heathrow
2) Bus to Stansted
3) Stay at a hotel near Stansted (much cheaper than London proper)
4) Ryanair to Biarritz (as little as £50 one way)

Buen Camino!

 

[tyrrek]

It's my understanding that going through London is quite expensive. I'm going to fly to Madrid from Dallas, as the taxes or additional surcharge moneys are $400 -600 US dollars on top of the price of tickets flying from London.

Hi Bozzie.

My post just related to the onward expense of going through London if you were offered a very good deal on a long haul flight. I'm not at all suggesting that it's usually the best travel option.

Costs are complex and vary, but can be reduced by booking in advance on the internet. I just searched on a random date of 15th May. £1=$1.60US. The cost would be:
Bus from Heathrow to Stansted: £25
Travelodge Hotel at Bishops Stortford/Stansted: £29
Plane fare to Biarritz the following day: Approx £50 (£22 plus baggage and booking fee)
There would be other incidentals such as taxis (hotel-airport) and food, obviously.

So it's possible to get on towards SJPP reasonably cheaply, and have a night to get over the transatlantic leg of the journey. One night in a central London hotel would probably cost the total outlined above!

Buen Camino!

 

[Arn]

Also, consider "open jaw" or multiple city routes.
You can fly into Madrid...walk the Camino then return thru SDC, back to Madrid, or Paris, or London.
Many options in how to get the most from your Camino.

Arn

 

[CatherineAnn]

Thank you for the information everyone.

I will check out arriving and leaving through different cities and see what I can come up with. I have signed up for Kayak's email alert which are helpful. I will sign up for other cities and see what happens.

 

[fraluchi]

I will check out arriving and leaving through different cities and see what I can come up with.

My wife and I live in Costa Rica and have crossed the ocean for Spain and the Camino 5 times over the past years. We found that the earlier we booked, the more economical the flights were, compared to a few months later.
We have a time difference of 8 hours with Spain, plus well over 11 hours of air travel. In our experience it doesn't pay to cut corners and risk overnight stays on the way. A few extra dollars to travel comfortably on such long journeys are worthwhile investing.