Flying to Spain- help
 

Hi everyone, I'm 19 years old and scheduled to leave for Spain in about two and a half weeks to visit a friend. I'm very afraid of flying and I'm going alone. I haven't gotten my tickets yet because I'm so afraid! I know, I'm a chicken. Does anyone have any advice on flying to Spain. How was it for you? and where did you get your tickets? I will be staying for three or four weeks in Madrid. So also, how was your stay there? Please help, I'm deathly afraid but want to go so badly. I don't want this silly fear to stop be from travelling!

Are you afraid of flying? Or particularly to Spain? You really should have your tickets already or you might be paying a huge amount. I know that out of Seattle on British Air the tickets went up to $3500 ea. because there were so few seats left.

As far as Spain goes it is fabulous! We are leaving in 3 weeks and will fly into Barcelona. You should try some sights like Expedia for the west deal. I wish I was going to Madrid this year as it was my favorite when I was there in the past.

Don't delay any more or you might not be able to afford to go!!!

If your leaving in 2 1/2 weeks, you have your work cut out for you. Depending on where you are leaving from, the price of a ticket can vary quite a bit. We flew on Air France from Boston to Madrid with a stopover in Paris, and the tickets were about $550 roundtrip with taxes. You will be very lucky to find anything under $800 roundtrip at this point. Try flights.com, Orbitz, Travelocity, etc. You may also want to try one of the auction type sites like Priceline. Also do a Google search on 'cheap flights', you should get a lot of hits on air consolidators, etc. Realize that you will probably have to do a stopover in Paris, London, etc, depending on what airline you wind up with. As for your fear, my wife also had a fear of flying, but was able to deal with it thinking about how much fun the trip was going to be. Now she loves travelling. Flying is a piece of cake - the worst part is being stuck in a small seat for hours on end. Madrid is a very lively, clean, safe city and you'll have a great time. Get your tickets ASAP!

First of all is there not anyone who can go with you- another friend or your mother? Are you concerned about flying in general or the length of the flight. Take things to keep you busy-books, CD's, games,etc. Maybe also see if your doctor can prescribe a valium or something. It may also help to take some guidebooks along so tht you can get excited about your visit to Spain and decrease the anxiety level. I understand how you feel because I am planning a trip with my husband next year to Europe and it will be the longest flight I have had. Good Luck!

I think you can be in real trouble if you don't realize it can be very difficult to get a good fare at the last minute. At this point, you might try Priceline or Hotwire or something.

I just flew to/from Spain in March from the US. It was fine, but I'm not clear on your fears. If it's just flying, which I think it is, I don't have that fear. I hate flying, but mainly because of the discomfort and long time, not because I am that afraid of malfunctions.

It sounds like you are afraid of Spain, also, I'm not sure. I was in Madrid and it was great, no problems at all.

I have a friend who also has an abnormal fear of flying, and she has to at times go from Germany to US and back to visit relatives. She just forces herself through it, I guess; tries not to panic and tries to think of other things and not dwell on the fears. If you are deathly afraid of flying, I think you are in the phobia category and an anti-anxiety drug could help. See your doctor.

British Airways have fares of about $850 from JFK leaving the weekend of 6/26-27. Probably higher from other gateways. Via London-Heathrow of course. But that's a pretty reasonable fare at this time of the year.

Dear Cameron:

Spain is wonderful and so are the people. Things to do in Madrid are: (1) see the Prado and spend the day there (2) see the Royal Palace (3) go to the park (which name I forget) (4) take day trips to El Escorial, the Valley of the Fallen and Toledo.

If you can take trips from Madrid to other parts of Spain then take the train to Cordoba and Sevilla. My wife and I took the Ave (high speed train) several years ago and it was great. We rented a car in Sevilla and drove to Granada staying at the Parador and saw the Alhambra during the day and night. The Alhambra and the Parador are heavenly.

Spain is a wonderful country. I hope you make it.

Doing something new and different can be terrifying...and wonderful. I started travelling when I was your age, and it opened up an entire new and wonderful world for me. My daughter is your age and will be going to Italy by herself soon and I'm so happy and excited for her. Believe me, Spain is wonderful, and although you may be a bit nervous about this, you're lucky to be able to go and met a friend who is already there.

Have a great trip!

(If you're a student, you still may be able to get good airline rates...check with your school's international study office, or do a goggle search. Good luck!)

i hate flying, but not because I'm scared, still to overcome the feeling of claustrophobia that envelopes me I arm myself with books that i otherwise don't find the time to read and lots of chewing gum and anti nausea medecine. I get sick when I fly. With the above stuff I'm usually okay - distraction may be the cure for you. :) whatever works, music, books, writing....and gum helps me coz im doing something , and it allows me to block the smells I smell in an enclosed environment. :)

anyway i went to Italy last year and few months back to Spain, it was fabulous you will love it, believe me it's such a thrill to travel international, i can't describe it!!!! Enjoy it, these times will never come back!

Thanks for the comments, everyone. And just to clarify, no, I am not afraid of Spain. It's the planes that I'm afraid of. I've been on them before but never seem to shake the fear.
And to answer another question: No, no one can go with me. My best friend has been to Europe three times this year and can't afford a fourth at the moment and my family is busy with work. Plus, it's my friend/boyfriend i'm going to visit. His name is Javier and he's from Spain so it should be a very exciting trip and I thank all of you for your uplifting comments.
Just as a little side poll:
I've got the option of going to either Rome or Morocco while I'm there, which one should i choose? I would normally choose Rome, but it seems a little more unusual to go with the Morocco route. Let me know! Thanks again!

johndpringle writes: "Spain is wonderful and so are the people. Things to do in Madrid are: (1) see the Prado and spend the day there (2) see the Royal Palace (3) go to the park (which name I forget) (4) take day trips to El Escorial, the Valley of the Fallen and Toledo."

The park you refer to is probably el Parque del buen Retiro (Retiro Park). Sundays, around 11:00 AM it is populated by mimes, musical groups, puppeteers, etc. Enter at the Puerta de Alcala entrance and enjoy a nice Sunday morning stroll.

As for #4 I too recommend a day trip to Toledo and another to el Escorial for the San Laurenzo Monastery, not for Franco's garish tomb. I would also recommend a day trip to Segovia with a midday meal at el Meson del Duque: Cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig) is the local specialty in that area.

I'm sure Javier will have some of these things planned out for you.

As for your fear of flying: Everyone experiences some level of anxiety when boarding an aircraft for a TransAtlantic flight. It's very normal. Some compensate by having a few drinks; others take Tranquilizers. Just keep in mind that the pilots and aircrew are just as anxious to get on the ground in Madrid safely as you are. You've got a lot of company.

Hi there. You've taken the first step to dealing with the fear - admitting it. As you can read with all of these replies, you'll be fine. I've travelled internationally since I was 3 years old (I'm in my thirties now) and I can tell you that take-off and landing are still stressful, no matter how many times you've flown. Also, as a single woman I travelled to Madrid/Barcelona in September of last year and had the most amazing time. Of course, I took basic safety precautions, but I never once felt in danger. With a friend in place, you'll have the best safety net of all. For the flight(s), why not try a sleeping pill? Obviously, make sure it's medically ok for you and I would suggest taking one on a "test day" well before you leave, so that you know the effects it will have on you. Good Luck - I wish I was going back myself!