Norte from Irún from USA... an alternative approach... don't sleep in Irún.

[Damien Reynolds]

I used to fly all night to Madrid (MAD) from the USA. Get a connecting flight from MAD to EAS (San Sebastian) the same day... then try to crash for the night in Irun, overwhelmed by the time zone change and being amped for walking the camino. That first day of walking was rough.

This last time, after reading a suggestion from another American traveler here on the forum, I switched it up a bit. His plan is way better.

Fly all night to Madrid. I usually end up getting there around 9 am. By the time I'm through customs, etc, it's usually around 11 am. Get lucky with a hotel in Madrid near the airport (think Barajas) that will check you in early.

Sleep all day, sort of.

Next morning get a flight to Irún (San Sebastian / EAS) from Madrid. It is early enough.

Start walking immediately from the airport. The camino is right there. Spend your first night (on trail) in Donastia (San Sebastian).

I felt a little bit more rested and prepared for the first day that way.

 

[JWB]

Hi Damian, all the best for your next trail/camino!

 

[J Willhaus]

No matter what Camino I walk, I usually spend the first night/day sleeping the jet lag off in Madrid.

 

[trecile]

I really liked walking from Biarritz last year, so that's another option. It gives you two days of relatively flat walking along the French coast before you get to the climbs in Spain. Getting to Bayonne/Biarritz from Paris is very easy by train.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I really liked walking from Biarritz last year, so that's another option. It gives you two days of relatively flat walking along the French coast before you get to the climbs in Spain. Getting to Bayonne/Biarritz from Paris is very easy by train.

Yah, but you're in France. I'm a Spain lover.

 

[Kiwi-family]

As someone who comes form New Zealand, the chances for jetlag are pretty high (especially considering we have about 35 hours of travelling depending which airline you go with)....I find NOT sleeping during the day is crucial to adjusting to the new time zone. I do everything I can to stay awake as long as possible.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

As someone who comes form New Zealand, the chances for jetlag are pretty high (especially considering we have about 35 hours of travelling depending which airline you go with)....I find NOT sleeping during the day is crucial to adjusting to the new time zone. I do everything I can to stay awake as long as possible.

yah. I was waiting for that. When I am tired, If I put my head on a pillow, and actually drift to sleep. i'll take it. no matter what the clock says. I'm gonna walk 26km or more uphill and then down the next day, so that should right my clock.