Quick one night in Barcelona before S. Spain, or go straight?
Apr 30th, 2012, 05:47 AM
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Quick one night in Barcelona before S. Spain, or go straight?
Hello,
I'll start by saying our tickets are already booked, so an open jaw purchase isn't an option at this point. We have tickets booked from Boston to Barcelona via Dublin (Aer Lingus) in June. One member of our party has a conference in Barcelona at the end of our trip (he's staying longer) so our plan was to visit S. Spain for about 6 days, then fly back to BCN for a few nights, two of us fly home, and he stays on for his conference.
Our original idea was to arrive in Barcelona in the morning from our overnight flight, stay one night in Barcelona, then sometime the next day fly to Granada for a six day tour of Andalusia (flying back to BCN from Seville). We figured we'd be tired from the overnight flight, and would get in a little sight seeing in Barcelona the day we arrive, go to bed at a normal local time to get acclimated, then sometime mid-day the next head to Granada.
Now I'm wondering given our limited time if we should just tough it out and plan on flying to Granada around mid-day the day we arrive in BCN. Our overseas flight arrives around 10 am. There is a 1:20 Vueling flight to Granada. I know that would mean a long gap we'd just have to wait around. But would we gain anything by just sticking it out at the airport and continuing on to S. Spain and avoid a to/from airport turn around the next day? This would give us an extra night in S. Spain.
It makes an exhausting sounding first day, but at the same time we have the enthusiasm for the start of our trip working in our favor.
Also, for those who have taking flights within Spain, how long in advance of your flight did you arrive at the airport? Thanks!
I'll start by saying our tickets are already booked, so an open jaw purchase isn't an option at this point. We have tickets booked from Boston to Barcelona via Dublin (Aer Lingus) in June. One member of our party has a conference in Barcelona at the end of our trip (he's staying longer) so our plan was to visit S. Spain for about 6 days, then fly back to BCN for a few nights, two of us fly home, and he stays on for his conference.
Our original idea was to arrive in Barcelona in the morning from our overnight flight, stay one night in Barcelona, then sometime the next day fly to Granada for a six day tour of Andalusia (flying back to BCN from Seville). We figured we'd be tired from the overnight flight, and would get in a little sight seeing in Barcelona the day we arrive, go to bed at a normal local time to get acclimated, then sometime mid-day the next head to Granada.
Now I'm wondering given our limited time if we should just tough it out and plan on flying to Granada around mid-day the day we arrive in BCN. Our overseas flight arrives around 10 am. There is a 1:20 Vueling flight to Granada. I know that would mean a long gap we'd just have to wait around. But would we gain anything by just sticking it out at the airport and continuing on to S. Spain and avoid a to/from airport turn around the next day? This would give us an extra night in S. Spain.
It makes an exhausting sounding first day, but at the same time we have the enthusiasm for the start of our trip working in our favor.
Also, for those who have taking flights within Spain, how long in advance of your flight did you arrive at the airport? Thanks!
Apr 30th, 2012, 06:03 AM
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Given the short time, I would have gone directly to Granada on the first day. Think you will find it more exhausting travelling back and forth to the airport ++ and vibrant Barcelona isn't exactly made for a laid-back evening. Concentrate on the South on this trip, and come back to fabulous Barcelona when you can do it some justice.
I use to arrive at Spanish airports a little more than an hour before the flight, but I like to have no stress. Plenty of cafés/restaurants/bars etc in Barcelona El Prat: http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/...1045569607459/
I use to arrive at Spanish airports a little more than an hour before the flight, but I like to have no stress. Plenty of cafés/restaurants/bars etc in Barcelona El Prat: http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/...1045569607459/
Apr 30th, 2012, 06:06 AM
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I am inclined to advised you to move on to Granada and this is why: a half-day of sightseeing right after a transatlantic flight is NOT the ideal introduction to Barcelona. Besides all the great sightseeing at Barcelona you have to deal with the best, more skillfull pickpocketers in the world. You do NOT want to wander around Las Ramblas or bus around without all your senses. So, I would advice against sightseeing BCN the day of arrival IF it is just for a half-day before turning right around back to the airport. Save it for your return leg.
As far as flying international out of BCN, be there MINIMUM two (2) hours, better if 2.5-3 hours ahead. Busy airport, more than one security/passport check. Two (2) hours reasonable for regional flights.
As far as flying international out of BCN, be there MINIMUM two (2) hours, better if 2.5-3 hours ahead. Busy airport, more than one security/passport check. Two (2) hours reasonable for regional flights.
Apr 30th, 2012, 06:40 AM
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I'd also just get the long day over and fly to Granada. This will give you more days in your first destination city and time to relax. I wouldn't want to start my trip with a 1-nighter which can be more tiring then the additional flight time to Granada. Since the airline tickets would be booked separately be sure to leave enough time for the transfer as the airline is not obligated if you miss the flight.
Apr 30th, 2012, 07:08 AM
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I agree - just muddle through it - the Barcelona airport is very nice to if you aren't dozing in a chair you can shop a bit or find some coffee and a tasty bite. A few years ago we landed in Rome, then trained to Naples, then ferried to Capri in a long and tiring "day" - it was exhausting but in the end we were glad we had not overnighted in Rome after landing.
Apr 30th, 2012, 07:25 AM
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I am with all the previous posters. Travel on to Granada upon arrival at BCN.
Many people automatically assume that staying overnight at the arrival airport is less hassle. But if they actually list what actually need to happen if they stay at the arriving city vs. travel on to the first destination, there isn't much difference between the two options.
Traveling-on also has a major advantage by proving one more day at the destination. If you cannot do an open-jaw, traveling-on is the next best solution to yield more useful days within the exactly same travel time window and at similar or even lower cost (eliminates initial trips between the airport and the hotel in arrival city.)
I don't like arriving before noon. Almost all the time, the hotel is not ready. Sure, the hotel can keep the luggage, but I still cannot change clothes. I have to do sightseeing with the same clothes I flew many hours. The last trip, there was a convention and the hotel could not make ready any rooms until 5pm in supposedly 4pm check-in place. I was glad I traveled on to the city so that I only had only one hour to kill. I would be mad if I arrived at 11am only to find I had to wait 6 more hours to check during which time I could have used more productively by traveling on.
Many people automatically assume that staying overnight at the arrival airport is less hassle. But if they actually list what actually need to happen if they stay at the arriving city vs. travel on to the first destination, there isn't much difference between the two options.
Traveling-on also has a major advantage by proving one more day at the destination. If you cannot do an open-jaw, traveling-on is the next best solution to yield more useful days within the exactly same travel time window and at similar or even lower cost (eliminates initial trips between the airport and the hotel in arrival city.)
I don't like arriving before noon. Almost all the time, the hotel is not ready. Sure, the hotel can keep the luggage, but I still cannot change clothes. I have to do sightseeing with the same clothes I flew many hours. The last trip, there was a convention and the hotel could not make ready any rooms until 5pm in supposedly 4pm check-in place. I was glad I traveled on to the city so that I only had only one hour to kill. I would be mad if I arrived at 11am only to find I had to wait 6 more hours to check during which time I could have used more productively by traveling on.
Apr 30th, 2012, 08:04 AM
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Yep, go straight on to Granada and enjoy a nice dinner and good night's sleep so the second day is a decent day of sightseeing. Otherwise, the first day is jet lagged and the second is another day of airports and travel.
Apr 30th, 2012, 04:04 PM
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I think we are going to take everyone's advice and go on to Grenada (or Seville) that same day. Do you think if we have an international flight arriving at 10am we'd be ok taking a flight on to Grenada at 1:20pm?
Apr 30th, 2012, 04:22 PM
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The time between flights should be ok..A few things can go wrong such as late arrival..being messed up with Iberia and their Mon and Fri strikes which create chaos for all airlines.Just returned from 3 and 1/2 weeks and flew from Alberta via LHR to Madrid..Over an hour late into LHR so my 3 hour layover shrank and was no problem. 2 hours are reccommended for time to get to the airports and often this is needed due to security etc. Go straight to your final destination and enjoy. Skip BCN for this short time..Too much to see, do etc. Have a great time and keep an eye,hand and maybe a foot on your bags which must be zipped and/or tied up and in the front of you at all times. The bad guys are real pros...
