misweet

Hello experienced travelers!

I'm going to Spain for about 10 days and want to take a day trip to London. Do you think it's possible? I want to go to London to see a play (evening) and don't plan to stay overnight. I wouldn't mind flying. Has anyone done this before?

Do you think this is possible?

janisj

Uh - no.

>> I wouldn't mind flying<<

How would you propose getting to London w/o flying?

The flights are 'only 2.5 hours each way -- but with getting to the airport, checking in, getting into the city from the airport and the reverse you'd be spending about 9 or 10 hours just in transit. Plus I doubt there are any flights you could catch after an evening performance.

greg

Of course it is possible. Just look at the flight schedule. Do you need a help using expedia, etc?

If the question is what you did not ask -- worthwhile, what can be done, etc, no one can tell you whether whatever number of hours you have in London is worth going. It is totally up to you.

janisj

>>Of course it is possible. <<

greg -- are there any flight to Barcelona leaving after midnight? I don't think so. The OP wants to go to an evening performance and NOT stay over night.

janisj

And the flight would really have to be closer to 0100 to be even possible.

PalenQ

Do you think this is possible?>

possible but unrealistic - why not stay overnight in London?

janisj

>>possible but unrealistic<<

you guys who say it is 'possible' . . . maybe so, but not unless there is a flight leaving from LHR or LCY or LGW in the wee small hours. I'm pretty sure there aren't any.

greg

There are many plays ending at various time in the evening. It is POSSIBLE to choose a play that ends early enough in evening to catch a plane leaving LHR, for example. the last direct evening flight out seems to be 8:10pm from LGW. There is a TK flight leaving 10:30pm. Of course, it is a long flight via IST(!) for $295, but seems to satisfy "no stay overnight (in London)" requirement.

If one has read http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...train-ride.cfm , one can sometimes consider an outrageous way to get things done.

nytraveler

I cannot see how you can possible see an evening play in London and gt a flight back to Barcelona. You might see a matinee - if you pick a day with matinees - but by the time you fly from B to London and then from London back of B you will have only a couple of hours in London.

Sorry but it makes no sense at all.

If you are willing to get up before dawn you can take a 7:20 am flight to London you can be in central London by about 10:30 am and have a few hours to see something and grab a bit before a matinee. And you can return to B on a flight about 8:30 back to Barcelona, arriving around midnight.

You will need to leave central London no later than 6 pm - so perhaps can grab a sandwich after the show.

MmePerdu

Though the OP seems a bit hazy where logistics are concerned, the question is "is it possible", not "does it make sense". If misweet resigns themselves to an overnight visit, then it's easily done and why not?

Christina

It would be possible if you are allowed to sit around Heathrow or Gatwick in the middle of the night until the earliest morning flight, which is about 6-7 am. Some airports you are and some your aren't. That's the only way because there aren't any flights after about 9 pm. There are flights after 8:10 pm on several airlines -- like Iberia/Vueling from gatwick at 8:55 pm and Ryanair from Stansted around 8:30.

Aside from money, I think this is only possible if you go to a matinee. I would think most theater productions have a matinee showing on some day(s). That would be definitely possible and wouldn't require an overnight.

janisj

People seem to have missed this in the OP . . . >>and <u>don't plan to stay overnight.</u><<

greg: >>There are many plays ending at various time in the evening.<<

Where do you find that? Curtain is almost <i>always</i> at 7:00 or 7:30 PM (except for a few pantos over the holidays which might start earlier because they do cater to youngsters) ). And almost all get out between 10PM and 10:30/10:45. Otherwise it would be a <i>matinee</i>, not an evening performancem, which is what the OP clearly says he wants.

He specifically said an <u>evening performance</u>, and <u>no over night stay</u> . . . so no that, is not possible.

Now, IF he flew out of Barcelona in the early AM, arriving before noon, went to a matinee, and flew back around 8 or 9 PM . . . then <i>that</i> would be possible. Crazy. but possible.

nytraveler

Agree don't know what the OP means about "consdering flying". What other option could it be - unless they are member of the Federation and have access to a transporter - since train is about 11 hours each way?

Perhaps the OP needs to consult a map as well as googling flight info.

cynthia_booker

Please don't book non-refundable flights until you have tickets to the play in hand. Plenty theatre performances are sold out way in advance.

cynthia_booker

Sorry, not necessarily 'in hand' but at least booked or reserved.

IMDonehere

Look for a one act play.

IMDonehere

It is about 700 miles from Barcelona to London. So it like flying in from Nova Scotia or Charleston, SC to NY to see a play and then heading back home.

Ackislander

I remember the days of leaving Boston for Chicago on an early plane, meeting all day in a room at the O'Hare airport Hilton, and flying back to Boston that night. No air has ever smelled sweeter than the bus fumes at Logan after a day in a totally unnatural and ultra-dry environment.

It's about the same flight time BCN to London but you have to go to the venue and back for the performance.

IF I WERE YOU, OP, I would change my ticket to an open jaw wherever to BCN, home from London whichever, and fly to London to see the play the night before returning home.

misweet

Thanks for responding everyone!

No thanks to the sarcastic comments. I said I don't mind flying (didn't say I would consider) because obviously train would make this even more ridiculous.

I know it was an outrageous situation so thanks to those who tried to help me figure out a plausible solution.

janisj

>>I said I don't mind flying . . . <<

Well, actually you said you >><i>wouldn't</i> mind flying<< so one can understand thinking you were considering other options.