Im graduating college next week and am planning on walking the French route starting end of august. What’s the cheapest way to get from New York to SJPDP? I don’t care about getting there the quickest or being uncomfortable, I’m just on a budget so trying to find the cheapest way to end up there. Is it smarter to fly into Madrid, Pamplona Biarritz? Bus/train to st Jean pied de port after getting there? Any creative ideas or recommendations would be great thanks!!
Cheapest? Swim or steal a boat and paddle to France. Hitchhike or walk to SJPP.
Or, if your budget is just a little bit higher, use Google Flights to search for flights. Just keep on plugging in different cities and varying your dates slightly and eventually, you'll find the cheapest one.
I just quickly plugged in a flight leaving New York City for Madrid August 15 and returning September 28 from Madrid. It was less than $750 booked through TAP Air Portugal's website. Then another hundred dollars or so to take the bus and train up to SJPP through Pamplona. You're not going to get much cheaper than that. Book in advance.
And if you want to do your own research, Don't just look at Madrid or Paris. Check for Barcelona, Lisbon, or even San Sebastian or Biarritz. Keeping in mind that you're going to have to get back there because a round-trip ticket is usually far cheaper.
Usually the bus is always the cheapest ground transportation option. ALSA is the national bus in Spain and they have a website.
And if you're looking for better instructions, and you're not familiar with it, just googling "how to find cheap airfares," on the Internet will lead you to some articles. Good luck!