London to Colombia

I flew Virgin London to Miami, a great flight lots of room in cattle class and good food. There is a drinking water point. Beware: you will be asked for an address in the USA at check in, make sure that you have one – you don’t have to stay there. There are cheap hotels close to the airport with free shuttles, however far better to stay near Ocean Drive beach. There are lots of cheapish hotels just off the beach on Washington avenue (parallel to the beach) you can then walk around the beach area looking at the art deco hotels and the beautiful girls. This is latina country. I stayed at the Clay hotel at 1438 Washington Avenue www.clayhotel.com between 14 and 15 streets, basic but good. Good restaurants just outside on the side street. With the jet lag you are awake at 4am, I was surprised to see Washington Avenue busier than during the day with both people walking about and taxis and cars. At 5am I went outside to have a look, all the cafes were open for business, all very safe. You can easily get to the airport by bus, much much cheaper than a taxi. At the airport the buses are beyond the area where the taxis and courtesy buses are. As you come out of the airport doors just keep going straight ahead crossing the wide road. You then come to the buses which aren’t visible from the doors (or signposted).

I wouldn’t bother with Calle Ocho, the little Havana area, there is really nothing to see or do.

Then on to Barranquilla using Avianca. I know Avianca gets a bad press on poorbuthappy but I’ve never had any problems with them. The ticket cost as much as the Atlantic flight, such is life. I used the ever helpful Soliman Travel www.solimantravel.co.uk 113 Earls Court London 7244 6855 ask for Sandra (a Colombian).

By el flaco on Feb 22, 2008, 03:19 in Travel tips.

ixent says on Feb 22, 2008, 03:40:

how much did the flight cost if you don't mind me asking?
E-ticket or paper ticket?

In their web page, soliman travel give the impression that they only sell holidays to Egypt.
Are they what is called a "bucket" travel agency?

Thanks for any info, Ixent

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ConorC says on Feb 22, 2008, 03:48:

I'm booked on the same Virgin flight via Miami to Medellin in June for £807 but that's via Jersey (the Island, not the turnpike!). My tickets were electronic and booked via Expedia.

Do you have to provide an address if you are going straight through to Colombia?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

el flaco says on Feb 22, 2008, 03:49:

That was a quick reply.

Fares vary, I don't go for the cheapest option as often an extra £50 can transform a flight. It was a paper ticket for both flights although Avianca gave me an E-ticket for an internal flight.

Soliman is a bucket shop, they specialise in Latin America. I agree the web site is confusing.

If you're English (ie can get a USA visa) then via USA is the way to go.

At USA immigration take the queue next to the USA nationals one. You are often passed over if there are no USA nationals to process. For the flight from Miami to Colombia allow at least three hours to get through security, immigaration etc.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

ixent says on Feb 22, 2008, 04:04:

El Flaco, yes that website is a bit confusing!!

ConorC, when I've flown via Atlanta to Colombia without leaving the airport, in the address box I've been instructed to write "Transit to Colombia", so there's not need to provide an address.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

el flaco says on Feb 22, 2008, 05:24:

However the planes don't connect going hence the need for an overnight. Leaving Colombia the planes do connect but with a seven hour wait at the airport. So returning yes just put "in transit" instead of an address, by the way they didn't want to see the ticket.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

JumboBond007 says on Feb 22, 2008, 08:34:

El Flaco....I travelled to Cali via Miami from London Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic on 12th February this year............ oh God! MIAMI is one of the worst airport I have ever been on. I almost miss the Cali Flight. Thankfully, I told them I am deaf and did not understand what was going on, so they gave me 'red carpet' treatment !!!!!!!!!!! :-D

Travelled back via Miami and Orlando for London Gatwick.........

0 funny, 0 helpful.

tw1st1 says on Feb 22, 2008, 10:10:

Have to agree Miami is probably the worst airport.

For flights from UK to central/south america, check the AA website itself as it is often cheaper than expedia

0 funny, 0 helpful.

kat1 (Moderator) says on Feb 22, 2008, 10:12:

Jumbo, i will play that trick next time hehehe

tw1st1, yep for a cheaper ticket and longest trip :))) arrive an extra day later...:)))))

engage brain before opening mouth

0 funny, 0 helpful.

tw1st1 says on Feb 22, 2008, 10:43:

always managed to arrive same day when travelling from the UK.

The return is always a killer though

0 funny, 0 helpful.

el flaco says on Feb 25, 2008, 04:47:

I've just phoned Soliman travel and the fare London to Medellin using Virgin in june is £750 so you did well.

When you arrive at Heathrow there is an electronic check-in, with help available, it asks you for an address in the USA. I would sugest you have one handy just in case you can't type in "in transit".

Tw1st1: I'd like more details of your flights, I still maintain that you can't get to Colombia the same day.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

tw1st1 says on Feb 25, 2008, 09:45:

Left London 9.45am, via Miami, arrived in Cali at about 10pm.

Was with AA, but you can also do it as a combination with Virgin/AA

0 funny, 0 helpful.