Best transportation option Pamplona - Bayonne?

[trecile]

I'm planning to walk with a small group of first time pilgrims from SJPdP to Pamplona in mid May, then I'll head up to Bayonne to walk the Norte solo. Rome2Rio lists several options including train, bus, and ride share (Blablacar) but the train option seems pretty convoluted. I tried to check the Alsa website, but I keep getting a 404 Error message.

I have the Alsa app, and have found the routing on the Alsa app, but I am thinking of trying Blablacar which I won't be able to book until a few days before I need the ride.

So my questions are - should I forget the train option because it seems to involve multiple changes? Is there a chance that I won't be able to get a bus ticket if I don't book it in advance?
I think that I'd like to try Blablacar, but I don't want to be stuck without anyway to get there if I can't get a bus ticket.

 

[Rick M]

Take the bus to San Sebastion, then catch the Feve to Hendaye, then the train to Bayonne. Convoluted? Nah, the Feve runs often, as do trains from Hendaye to Bayonne.

 

[J Willhaus]

Looks like a direct bus from Pamplona to Irun. Do you need to start in Bayonne?

 

[trecile]

Looks like a direct bus from Pamplona to Irun. Do you need to start in Bayonne?

Yes, I want to start in Bayonne. I started in Irun the last time, and I'd like to do something different, and I've read that the cathedral in Bayonne is very nice.

 

[trecile]

Take the bus to San Sebastion, then catch the Feve to Hendaye, then the train to Bayonne. Convoluted? Nah, the Feve runs often, as do trains from Hendaye to Bayonne.

I think that the train will take longer than the bus.

 

[Former member 107684]

Do you have the Flixbus app? The bus takes about an hour and a half from San Sebastian to Bayonne - and when you arrive the bus station is just over the river from the cathedral.

 

[NorthernLight]

I’d take a bus to Irun, walk across the border (to stretch the legs) and take a bus or a train to Bayonne. I can’t imagine why the buses would be full.

 

[Former member 104756]

Yes, I want to start in Bayonne. I started in Irun the last time, and I'd like to do something different, and I've read that the cathedral in Bayonne is very nice.

Hi Terri. The cathedral and the town are well worth a visit. We are in Bayonne right now. As an aside to your transport question, yesterday we popped in to the Refuge de Saint Jaques - small and well maintained - and we were welcomed by some lovely volunteers. I haven’t stayed at Chez Veronique but have read good reports. We will stay in one or the other before beginning the Baztan in May.

Best wishes.

 

[trecile]

On the Alsa app it shows a complete journey to Bayonne with a transfer in San Sebastián. There's 1:25 transfer time, so enough time to eat lunch. Currently there are only about 3 seats reserved on the Pamplona - Bayonne leg, so I don't think that I need to worry about it filling up. But I think that it might be kind of fun (not to mention faster) to go with a local in a Blablacar.

 

[Former member 104756]

On the Alsa app it shows a complete journey to Bayonne with a transfer in San Sebastián. There's 1:25 transfer time, so enough time to eat lunch. Currently there are only about 3 seats reserved on the Pamplona - Bayonne leg, so I don't think that I need to worry about it filling up. But I think that it might be kind of fun (not to mention faster) to go with a local in a Blablacar.

That option sounds perfect. I didn’t search Pamplona through to Bayonne on the ALSA App so my info on transport is irrelevant, and has been deleted.

 

[Simon Shum]

Hi trecile, I took the bus from Pamplona to Bayonne after I finished walking the Aragones in 2019. I didn't remember changing bus but it did stopped at a few places, and the stop at Bayonne is close to old town and the cathedral -- but it was just a stop at the street not a bus terminal (so be aware, but things could change)! Also the bus ticket would show "Bai'on" or something, I thought she sold me the wrong destination, but the kind lady at the Pamplona bus office assured me that it is Bayonne, just slightly different spelling in French!

I also stayed at Chez Veronique, very close to the cathedral Bayonne. Enjoyed walking to Biarritz but easy to get lost -- almost wind up in St Juan de Luz! and also took the local bus back, easy and enjoyable!

I took blablacar once in France, we were glad that the driver was so kind and speak English, enjoyable experience! They only stop at designated spot but good thing Bayonne is not big!

After couple days in Bayonne, I took the flixbus to Bordeaux for my flight home, but flixbus was late for three hours due to mechanical problem (they did texted me), the replacement bus was not even marked (and not texted me) -- I would have missed it if not for asking the bus driver!

Buen Camino!

 

[Bradypus]

The ALSA bus to SJPDP and then the train down to Bayonne? Only the one bus per day but very simple journey if your timing is right.

 

[Former member 107684]

Also the bus ticket would show "Bai'on" or something, I thought she sold me the wrong destination, but the kind lady at the Pamplona bus office assured me that it is Bayonne, just slightly different spelling in French!

Baiona is the Basque spelling for Bayonne in Gipuzcoa - like Donostia for San Sebastian!