eurotraveller

Having never been to South America, I don't know how badly I can expect to suffer from jet lag from Portland, OR.

I return from Argentina on November 27th and then I fly out again the next day to SE Asia to work as a volunteer on a bike race in Siem Reap.

I have been to SE Asia a couple of times and to Europe dozens of times so going across many time zones is a killer.

For those of you who have experienced jet lag to Europe and SE Asia from the west coast of USA, will you share with me how you fair with jet lag returning from South America?

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the worst jet lag I have ever experienced, I rate returning from SE Asia a 10 and returning from Europe a 5 or 6. How would you rate returning from Argentina?

I will also post this on the Asia Forum.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Argentina is two hours ahead of Eastern time, five hours ahead of Pacific time. It does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

eurotraveller

Thanks Jeff. I am aware of the time zones but I am still wondering how bad the jet lag is as the flight is quite long even though it doesn't cross through as many time zones as other destinations.

Cheers!

hopefulist

As long as I stay really well hydrated, move around a bit on the plane, and get some exercise as soon as I'm off the plane, I don't really experience jet leg if the time change is only 4-5 hours or less. To me, jet lag is more about adjusting my (really pronounced) biological clock to the new time zone if it's a huge change, like to Europe or Asia from Oregon.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

That's why I just stated the time differences. I don't think anyone can answer how bad it will be for anyone else.

For me, it's the long flight every bit as much as the time zone difference. Flights between North America and Argentina are overnight flights. I can never sleep well on those, and that wipes me out as much as any time change. But that's me.

highflyer

I think the time difference is the really important factor regarding jet lag so returning from South America would be easier than SE Asia.

highflyer

Yes, the exception would be red eye flights! Any overnight flight is a killer and compounds jet lag.

CollegeMom

If you can sleep on the overnight flights from BA, the jet lag isn't bad. I would rate it a 2 or 3 from BA to Chicago and London to Chicago a 6 or 7. To SE Asia is also a 10 in my book because of the time zones as well as length of flight. The two flights in two days sounds like the bigger problem!

eurotraveller

Thanks everyone!

Unfortunately, I can't sleep a wink anywhere but in a bed so I don't expect I will sleep on this red-eye.

I think I will try some medication since I will have to turn around and travel for another 30 hours the next day.

Oh well...

hills27

It's easy compared to Europe or Asia. Very easy.

coolbluewater

NOT a world-class traveler as you seem to be, but have you done any research on Melatonin? Just read an article on how it's supposed to help with issues like jet lag. Good luck!

eurotraveller

Nice to hear the trip back will be fairly easy on my system!

Coolbluewater, I have tried melatonin but it doesn't do much for me, unfortunately! I have heard that it does work well for some people, though.

Thanks!

mikemo

Flew MEX-EZE and SCL-MEX late last fall (albeit in business).
Took Ambien both ways and had no jet lag.
M

Scarlett

Hi!
We had no jet lag this trip or the last one, but just exhaustion from taking such a long flight/flights.
If you can sleep on the flight through the night, you will be better off.
We hit the ground running this past trip-might have just been adrenalyn though lol.I guess Portland to BA would be a 1-3..