Best transport from BCN to Irun

[SirenGray]

I will be arriving in Barcelona from Seattle on the evening of 9/12/23 and heading to Irún the next day with plans to start hiking on 9/14. Can anyone suggest the best—or maybe quickest and cheapest—way to complete that portion of my journey? I’m finding online train and bus schedules confusing. With gratitude.

 

[grayland]

Train/Bus to San Sabastian....then small local narrow gauge train to Irun.
I found this to be very simple and straight forward.

Note that San Sabastian is often listed as "Donostia / San Sebastián" on bus/train schedules.
Donostia is the Basque name for the city.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, @SirenGray, welcome to the forum.

If you are finding the Renfe (train) and bus sites confusing, try some of the ticket brokers like Rail Europe.

Trains take around 6 hours, schedules available here.

The Alsa or Monbus website is where to go for buses, but they are showing longer travel times.

This might not be of help to you now, but for others who are in this situation, Madrid to Irún is actually a shorter distance than Barcelona to Irún. And since Spain travel routes have traditionally been wheel and spoke between Madrid and everywhere else (though that is changing), you are likely to find it easier to get to Irún from Madrid.

I had never thought of @grayland’s suggestion, but I think the narrow gauge train (Feve) is a lot of fun.

 

[grayland]

The local train (FEVE) from San Sebastian to Irun is about 25 minutes and costs under 3 euro.

However I had missed that we were talking about BCN instead of Madrid. It is a about a 8 hour trip on the bus from Barcelona....but if you have the time planned in...it will be an interesting ride.
Try Rome2Rio for options to get there.

Feve site link:

Trainline | Search, Compare & Buy Cheap Train & Bus Tickets

Trainline, your quick and easy way to book train and bus tickets across Europe. ✓ Save 61% on UK Rail ✓ Search train times ✓ Get the app ✓ 200+ operators

www.thetrainline.com

 

[SirenGray]

Hi, @SirenGray, welcome to the forum.

If you are finding the Renfe (train) and bus sites confusing, try some of the ticket brokers like Rail Europe.

Trains take around 6 hours, schedules available here.

The Alsa or Monbus website is where to go for buses, but they are showing longer travel times.

This might not be of help to you now, but for others who are in this situation, Madrid to Irún is actually a shorter distance than Barcelona to Irún. And since Spain travel routes have traditionally been wheel and spoke between Madrid and everywhere else (though that is changing), you are likely to find it easier to get to Irún from Madrid.

I had never thought of @grayland’s suggestion, but I think the narrow gauge train (Feve) is a lot of fun.

Thank you so much, peregrina2000 and grayland, for the quick replies! My daughter lives in Barcelona, thus, the overnight with her. While I know she’ll help me, I want to get things squared away as much as possible now. I’m reminding myself that it will all be fine because the Camino provides, but my excitement is building and taking over! That’s a good thing.

 

[grayland]

Actually....if the connection is better to somewhere a bit further along (Bilbao, etc) it could be used as the FEVE train runs all day along that route.
You might want to take a look at the FEVE schedule and see what might be possible.

As Laurie advised...the little local metro style FEVE is really a bit of fun and adventure.

You also might check with Martha Crites ..if you are involved with the local Puget Sound Pilgrim group to see if she has a better idea.

 

[trecile]

Vueling has non stop flights. And the San Sebastian airport is practically in Irun.

https://m.vueling.com/SB

 

[Anamya]

Like Trecile, I was also going to suggest flying Vueling. They are based in Barcelona and have flights to San Sebastian airport, which is in Irun.

They are a cheap, nice airline. Just make sure you select the right options because nothing is included in the tickets!

 

[trecile]

Just make sure you select the right options because nothing is included in the tickets!

Yes, I think that their lowest fare only includes and under seat bag, which will be too small for a backpack.

 

[SirenGray]

Thank you so much, peregrina2000 and grayland, for the quick replies! My daughter lives in Barcelona, thus, the overnight with her. While I know she’ll help me, I want to get things squared away as much as possible now. I’m reminding myself that it will all be fine because the Camino provides, but my excitement is building and taking over! That’s a good thing.

Actually....if the connection is better to somewhere a bit further along (Bilbao, etc) it could be used as the FEVE train runs all day along that route.
You might want to take a look at the FEVE schedule and see what might be possible.

As Laurie advised...the little local metro style FEVE is really a bit of fun and adventure.

You also might check with Martha Crites ..if you are involved with the local Puget Sound Pilgrim group to see if she has a better

Yes, I think that their lowest fare only includes and under seat bag, which will be too small for a backpack.

I greatly appreciate all of the great input and options offered! I looked at Vueling, which would be perfect, and there are 3 seats left on the one flight I could take. But, my young traveling companion isn’t available now to book his flight, and I won’t know until we arrive in Barcelona if my daughter will join us.

I just went for a long training hike and thought about all the options I was given here. I’m going to relax, look at the bus, train and metro links, and trust that just the right means of transport will be made clear. With much gratitude to all!

 

[Dennis Pack]

I flew from Barcelona to Irun for less than €100 in 2019. Arrived about 8 am and had a lovely day investigating the area.

 

[mkg1284]

There is a direct train from Barcelona Sants to San Sebastián via Renfe. Takes 5.5 hours.

 

[TravellingMan22]

There is a direct train from Barcelona Sants to San Sebastián via Renfe. Takes 5.5 hours.

Good price too from what I can see. 41 Euro.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

On the train I think they assign seats. Try to get on the right/starboard/north side of the train heading to Irun, the view is nicer in my opinion.

 

[SirenGray]

There is a direct train from Barcelona Sants to San Sebastián via Renfe. Takes 5.5 hours.

This sounds perfect! Thanks so much!