Barcelona to St Jean: suggestions on best practical and cost effective route

[Pilgrim in training]

I found a post from 2005 from sillydoll (still an active member), I am wondering if there are any updates on alternative routes from Barcelona to St Jean?

"Barcelona to St Jean: Alternative way to get there.
Train to Bayonne (10.45 hours) - then to St Jean: http://www.sncf.com (French rail) Sil" 25 Oct 2005

I like this option and will be travelling from Canberra to Barcelona in May 2015. If anyone has taken the train or have other ideas I welcome your comments and advice.
Thank you in advance

 

[7wood]

I found a post from 2005 from sillydoll (still an active member), I am wondering if there are any updates on alternative routes from Barcelona to St Jean?

"Barcelona to St Jean: Alternative way to get there.
Train to Bayonne (10.45 hours) - then to St Jean: http://www.sncf.com (French rail) Sil" 25 Oct 2005

I like this option and will be travelling from Canberra to Barcelona in May 2015. If anyone has taken the train or have other ideas I welcome your comments and advice.
Thank you in advance

Fly to Pamplona then bus to St.Jean

 

[whariwharangi]

Note: SNCF service from Bayonne to SJPdP is currently in flux due to tracks being washed out. Currently the service is provided by TER train from Bayonne to Cambo les Bains. Anyone going onward to SJPdP transfers from the train to a bus provided by SNCF.

2350 Barcelona to Saint Jean Pied de Port

2351 This section describes transportation options from Barcelona to SJPdP.

Option 2352 and 2353 take about the same travel time either way ... so its dependent on your travel plans which is better.

Option 2355 is the easiest way to get from Barcelona to SJPdP. However, bus service from Pamplona to SJPdP is seasonal and limited in number of departures.

Index 2350
2352 Barcelona to SJPdP via Toulouse by Train
2353 Barcelona to SJPdP via Irun by Train
2354 Barcelona to SJPdP via San Sebastian Airport and Bayonne
2355 Barcelona to SJPdP via Pamplona by Train and Bus

2352 Barcelona to SJPdP via Toulouse by Train

SNCF and Renfe operate trains from Barcelona (Sants) to Toulouse (Matabiau). Use SNCF site.

There is a high speed train to Paris that stops in Toulouse. Other trains transfer at break of gauge station Port Bou/Cerbère and require transfer at Perpignan or Narbonne before getting to Toulouse.

SNCF operates trains from Toulouse to Bayonne.

The final leg involves SNCF TER train #62 from Bayonne to SJPdP.

SNCF
http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers

2353 Barcelona to SJPdP via Irun by Train

Renfe operates trains from Barcelona (Sants) to break of gauge stations at Irun/Hendaye.

Irun Renfe Station and Gare d'Hendaye are train stations 3 km apart.

Note that an end run might be possible by traveling from Barcelona to Miranda del Ebro (where trains from all over Spain converge) and then to Irun.

Euskotren operates a commuter train from Colon Station to Hendaia Station if needed.

Euskotren Colon Station: exit Renfe Station, turn right, walk across bridge over the tracks and find Colon Station on the left (North) side of the street. Hendaia Station is co-located with Gare d'Hendaye.

SNCF operates TGV and Intercites trains from Irun and TER trains from Hendaye to Bayonne.

The final leg involves SNCF TER train #62 from Bayonne to SJPdP.

Renfe
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html

SNCF
http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers

Euskotren
http://www.euskotren.es/

2354 Barcelona to SJPdP via San Sebastian Airport and Bayonne

Fly from Barcelona Airport to San Sebastian Airport. The airport is almost co-located with Irun train station.

Take local bus or taxi to Irun Renfe station or Gare d'Hendaye.

SNCF operates TGV and Intercites trains from Irun and TER trains from Hendaye to Bayonne.

The final leg involves SNCF TER train #62 from Bayonne to SJPdP.

Barcelona Airport (BCN)
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Barcelona/en/Home.html

San Sebastian Airport (EAS)
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-San-Sebastian/en/

SNCF
http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers

2355 Barcelona to SJPdP via Pamplona by Train and Bus

This option is the easiest way to get from Barcelona to SJPdP. However, bus service from Pamplona to SJPdP is seasonal only and limited in number of departures.

Travel from Barcelona to Pamplona by Renfe train or by bus. Trains leave from Barcelona Sants. Buses leave from Estacion de Autobuses Barcelona Nord and Barcelona Sants. ALSA (via transfer at Zaragosa) and ViBASA are major service providers on this route.

There is seasonal bus service from Pamplona bus station to SJPdP provided by Conda. Conda is owned by ALSA. See international schedule on ALSA website. Purchase ticket at Pamplona bus station.

At time of writing bus schedule from Pamplona to SJPdP: 1000 13 June to 31 August 2014, 1430 1 June to 30 September 2014, and 1730 17 March to 30 September 2014. Schedules are usually updated only 30 days in advance.

Barcelona Sants (Renfe Station and Estacion de Autobuses)
http://www.adif.es/es_ES/infraestructuras/estaciones/71801/informacion_000097.shtml

Barcelona Nord Estacion de Autobuses is the main bus station in Barcelona.
https://www.barcelonanord.cat/inici/

Renfe
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html

ViBASA (Monbus website)
http://www.monbus.es/es

ALSA
http://www.alsa.es/en/

Conda
http://www.conda.es/

 

[wes]

I found a post from 2005 from sillydoll (still an active member), I am wondering if there are any updates on alternative routes from Barcelona to St Jean?

"Barcelona to St Jean: Alternative way to get there.
Train to Bayonne (10.45 hours) - then to St Jean: http://www.sncf.com (French rail) Sil" 25 Oct 2005

I like this option and will be travelling from Canberra to Barcelona in May 2015. If anyone has taken the train or have other ideas I welcome your comments and advice.
Thank you in advance

I can understand why you'd like to start in Barcelona, a wonderful city. However, it does make getting to St Jean more difficult than it needs to be. I've travelled from Canberra to St Jean twice, on each occasion via Paris, then on the TGV to Bayonne and the regional train to SJPdP. It's easy to do, relatively quick, and enjoyable - lovely scenery. If you did that, you could still go to Barcelona after your Camino, either by bus or train, both of which are excellent in Spain.
Buen Camino,
Wes.

 

[Olivares]

I landed in Barcelona to start my Camino in SJPDP and it could not have been easier. This was late May 2011 and basically I took the train straight from the airport to the Barcelona Sants Bus & Train Station. The schedule that was most convenient for me was the bus, but it certaily was great to have both, train and bus, options to explore. I took the 0930 hrs bus for 24 Euros, 4 hours later I was at the Pamplona Bus Station. From there, I took a shared van (about 9 Euros; reservations made in advance; about 12 other pilgrims were in) and I was in SJPDP by 1630 hrs same day of arrival. I had time to stopped over the Pilgrims Office at SJPDP, checked their take on next morning's weather, toured the town including The Citadelle, bought water and fruits for next day, got a decent meal, and went to bed early.

If you are starting your camino in Pamplona, the Camino goes by very close to the Station, so that you can literally stepped of the bus on to the Camino if you so choose.

 

[CaminoKentucky]

Oilvares,
How did you make the reservation for the shared van? Is there a website?

 

[CaminoKentucky]

Oilvares,
How did you make the reservation for the shared van? Is there a website?

 

[Gesha]

I found a post from 2005 from sillydoll (still an active member), I am wondering if there are any updates on alternative routes from Barcelona to St Jean?

"Barcelona to St Jean: Alternative way to get there.
Train to Bayonne (10.45 hours) - then to St Jean: http://www.sncf.com (French rail) Sil" 25 Oct 2005

I like this option and will be travelling from Canberra to Barcelona in May 2015. If anyone has taken the train or have other ideas I welcome your comments and advice.
Thank you in advance

I booked on the train from SANTS Barcelona train station to Pamplona on www.renfe.com departing at 0930 and arriving at 1315. I did this online so had my ticket before I arrived in BCN. Stayed at BCN Airport hotel which you can also book online before you travel or there is plenty of accom in Barcelona itself. I took train from airport to SANTS train station which is the main station and where I got on train to Pamplona as above.
I also arranged for Istvan from Corazon Puro Pension to pick me up from Pamplona train station, staying overnight and then they drove me to SJPP in the morning, Their email address iscorazonpuro@corazonpuro.es
They will send you a reply and confirmation and a photo so you will recognise the bald headed guy (ha ha) who will pick you up.
Istvan and Barbara were fantastic, made my first stay at an Albergue a great introduction to the Camino. If you stay with them please say hello from Aussie Helen who is now home with her "Master" they will understand. Also Istvan took me to a shopping centre to buy a Spanish SIM card for my phone. So helpful. Good luck..

 

[Bajaracer]

A bargain at €43
http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/the-corazon-puro-experience.25878/

 

[Pilgrim in training]

I can understand why you'd like to start in Barcelona, a wonderful city. However, it does make getting to St Jean more difficult than it needs to be. I've travelled from Canberra to St Jean twice, on each occasion via Paris, then on the TGV to Bayonne and the regional train to SJPdP. It's easy to do, relatively quick, and enjoyable - lovely scenery. If you did that, you could still go to Barcelona after your Camino, either by bus or train, both of which are excellent in Spain.
Buen Camino,
Wes.

Thanks for your comments Wes, it's all about where I am going to afterwards (Qatar) and lining up my flights on the way home with the same airline.