TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Overnight Sitting At SJU Airport ?

I have one crew member traveling west-to-east, landing SJU (San Juan) shortly after midnight, connecting with Seabourne to EIS (Tortola) at 8:00 am. She is on a budget and plans to simply hang-out at the airport during the 7 hour connection. Is this going to be a problem, or specifically do they close the terminal? Can she stay in the transit area or must she exit security for some period of time? Thanks,

It has been years but once after being delayed all day in JFK on American we were forced to spend the night in SJU. The best option for us turned out to be some who would not lay down seated in the very uncomfortable airport chairs and some who would lay down sleeping on the children's play mats in the kiddie area. It worked, no one said a word to us. We did it because we had no other viable option for the few hours. It was long ago and the rules can change on any given day.

I have also slept on the floor of DIA headed to Aspen. I have never witnessed anyone giving a valid passenger a hard time overnighting in the airport.

For some the worst of it all are the announcements. As the crowds of the day leave the background noise drops. The volume of the announcements that play automatically to watch your bags continue to blare in the silence of the night. I suggest earplugs or good earphone if the person will attempt to sleep.

I've been watching airfares on KAYAK and have been debating whether I should fly into BVI (EIS) or USVI (STT). As of a few minutes ago, here is what I know regarding getting myself to the BVI.

It cost threes times as much flying to BVI vs STT, AND it takes twice as long due to the long lay over in Puerto Rico (SJU), by taking the red eye from the west coast.

With that huge of a difference, I can hire a private shuttle to pick me up and take me right to customs and then my boat and have a few bucks left over to buy a round of Painkillers. Something for your friend to think about if she hasn't already booked her trip. G'luck!

We had to do this years ago on trip to STX. It was miserable but no one tried to make us leave or bothered us. But I think this was 1999 so not very recent. Those weren't our planned flight arrangements but this was the aftermath of the AA pilots' wildcat strike so we were glad to get there any way we could.

She won't be booted out of the airport.

As for being most comfortable in a tough situation, I'd probably leave the arrival concourse and head to the Seabourne gate area.

She could also ask a flight attendant or a gate attendant on arrival if the airline has a " club" lounge at SJU, and what the hours would be. Sometimes, 20 bucks or so is all you need to get in, and it would certainly be more comfortable than in terminal seating.

This might be usefull info: Sleeping in Airports web site on SJU
The one time I was forced to overnight I had to go outside security and then got rousted about 3AM by a security guard who tried to make me go to the hotel.

Having done this in my younger days. The sleeping at airports website it great or used to be. At night airports are cold and the PA announcements still go, so bring ear plugs and a light blanket. As long as there are still outgoing flights in the terminal you can stay inside security. In the gap between last arriving and first arriving I have been booted out of secured area, basically when TSA leaves, you leave.

That's a great website, never seen it before!! ...Probably because I would never in a MILLION years think of sleeping in an airport. I am EXTREMELY cranky if I don't get some sleep, but the thought of actually sleeping somewhere that someone could rob me, etc., while I am sleeping, just creeps me out...

Carol, I used to take a DFW to Orlando, getting in 11pm, then a Orlando to SJU at 6am. Just not enough time to get a hotel. Also handy info to know if you get stranded.

especially when there is a hotel in the airport at SJU

Check the Jet Blue schedule for that day/morning. Jet Blue has some very late night SJU activity at times.

Great website!
Loved the idea about renting a car! If you can't negotiate like the the post, at least do it legit, drive to long term parking and return the car in the morning with 2- miles on it. Love. It <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> cheaper than a hotel, safer than a chair in the terminal.

TAKE THE BLANKET ..will be cold

As I recall the Best western at AP is not terribly expensive. Might be best option if doesn't want to hit ground fatigued next day. You cannot sleep well in the ap.

Not sure as a woman that sleeping alone in a car would be safe enough for me. I would say airport or a cheap hotel. If the decision is based purely on budget, it might be worth waiting and then using Hoteltonight.

Personally I don't think a woman would be that safe sleeping alone in the airport either..

Have her use the airport hotel. Her vacation I am sure is not cheap and being a zombie for lack of sleep will kill the first day or two of the vacation.
G

I agree with George. Under $100/night - might even be able to negotiate a lower price? Never hurts to try.

That money can easily be made up with 1 less meal out or fewer drinks when out.

We've done the red eye a lot in the past from Boston and the only time I ever regretted doing it was the one time we didn't get a room. Even when we've only been in the room 4 hours, that sleep was well worth it!

...as well as the opportunity to be able to take a shower..

At the SJU airport hotel I usually paid $142/night with taxes, When I had my BVI driver's license it was $115/night (Caribbean local's discount).
I found they don't last minute discount as they specialize in stuck people. If you go to an off airport hotel, that adds a lot of time and no free hotel shuttles.

Been a while since I have been at SJU, but this hotel used to be the the most confusing place to find.

I don't have intel on SJU, but I can attest it's a valid question. As a frequent business traveler, I've been stuck overnight in a few airports. Generally fine, yet uncomfortable. But earlier this year, I was stuck in Dallas Love and thought I would ride it out (along with about 100 people throughout the airport). At about 2am, security came through to round up everyone, including the sleeping kids, to move them outside of security. Which was basically a few chairs and hard floor. Had to wait until 6am when security opened. In short, they didn't want to employ someone for those four hours at the security exit post, so they kicked everyone out and closed it tight. Pretty ridiculous. I learned at that time to not assume that I could just crash in a chair at the airport.

I don't think we've ever paid more then $100 total bill. But it has been a couple of years since we've stayed there.

I don't think they kick anyone out at SJU - flights arrive at all sorts of hours. But again, this is from past experience which is at least dated a couple of years.

Be sure to mention a light blanket or sweater if determined to do this. Once coming back from the BVI, first the plane had mechanical difficulties with an indicator light..took two hours. Then Miami had storms..circled a while and diverted to the Bahamas for fuel. We were 16th in line for refueling. When we got to Miami there was a line a block long from the
customer service desk of missed flights. It was about 1 am by the time we talked to someone. There was a 7 am flight or a 1 pm flight we could take ..they could send us to a hotel 45 minutes away. We decided to stay at airport. It was in July and was the coldest night I have ever spent.

When the sun goes down and the people leave that Ac turns the place into Sanfrancisco waterfront chilled. I assume SJU would be similar at night. It was when they still had blankets on airplanes. I remember being tempted to try to mug someone for that blanket that I am not sure how they came by them. It was miserable till 5:30 or so when the restaurant opened with lousy food but hot coffee.

Agree use the airport hotel - while not very comfortable it does allow you a bathroom and a bed