Travelling to Europe

[bagman]

Just curious as to your own experiences.
When traveling from Australia on a "non-stop" flight is it best to arrive at your European destination in the morning or afternoon ?

Many thanks for your replies

 

[deka2]

Last time we went to London, caught CX257 HKG-LHR, which leaves mid morning and arrives late in the afternoon.

Found that much better than arriving early morning.

Also find the return journey heading east more tiring.

 

[Jmrocky]

We caught QF1 to London last december arriving ~6:30 in the morning, then a BA codeshare to Orly. By the time we arrived at the hotel in Paris it was close to 2 in the afternoon. It's a long time to be uplifted (all day flying/airports to get to Sydney - QF1 - BA codeshare - getting to hotel) all in economy. I would aim for an afternoon arrival but it really depends on where you're ultimately staying and if further travel is required. Still managed to squeeze in an afternoon stroll and dinner but we were dead tired by 7.

I'd also be inclined to choose a smaller arrival airport (such as we did with Orly). Arrival process is a lot easier being less busy etc. Partnership with Emirates seems to have made that so much easier

 

[Sethor]

I normally prefer early afternoon arrivals to tie in with hotel check in times, last thing you want is to arrive at 6am dead tired & not be able to check in for a few hours.

 

[Deleted member]

in hind sight I wish we had arrived in the afternoon as well. BUT my next trip is still an early morning QF1 into LHR so booking a hotel room from the night before we arrive so I can have a wee nap if needed

 

[bagman]

Thks so much for sharing your experiences. I have a limited choice of "direct" flights to Istanbul some arrive morning some afternoon. Looks like arvo is the go from your experiences. Sort of makes sense to me.
Many thanks again for your replies

 

[jason_c]

Despite my last couple of trips to London arriving in the morning, I would say afternoon too. The best way I've found to deal with jetlag is to adjust yourself to local time ASAP. For me this means staying awake during the day and sleeping at night at the destination. 6am arrival makes for a looong day.

 

[VPS]

afternoons for me too - only had one like that a couple of years ago - arrived about 4pm and by the time I had dinner and couple of drinks it was a reasonable hour to go to bed and didn't suffer too much jetlag at all

 

[ashleyn]

afternoons for me too - only had one like that a couple of years ago - arrived about 4pm and by the time I had dinner and couple of drinks it was a reasonable hour to go to bed and didn't suffer too much jetlag at all

+1 for that approach, works well IMHO