Getting to Camino Del Norte from UK

[fulhamsam]

Hi, I just wondered if anyone had any advice on the best way to get to the start of Camino Del Norte from UK. I'm planning to do 2 weeks at the end of this month from Irun to Santander (or as far as i get). My question is what is the best way to get to the start? There are flights to Biarritz from Stansted (which is hard for me to get to), and also flights to Bilbao from Gatwick (easier for me to get to). Is it easy getting to the start from either of these airports? Any recommended routes?
Also can you pick up the credential in Irun easily? I did the Frances in 2017 and got one easily in Saint Jean but not sure if similar in Irun?
Grateful for any help! Sam

 

[gns]

Have you considered travelling by train? If you're in London it should be doable in a day. I went to St Jean that way in 2020. I think you can change in Biarritz/Bayonne for Irun.

 

[LavanyaLea]

Hi, I just wondered if anyone had any advice on the best way to get to the start of Camino Del Norte from UK. I'm planning to do 2 weeks at the end of this month from Irun to Santander (or as far as i get). My question is what is the best way to get to the start? There are flights to Biarritz from Stansted (which is hard for me to get to), and also flights to Bilbao from Gatwick (easier for me to get to). Is it easy getting to the start from either of these airports? Any recommended routes?
Also can you pick up the credential in Irun easily? I did the Frances in 2017 and got one easily in Saint Jean but not sure if similar in Irun?
Grateful for any help! Sam

According to Rome2Rio, from Bilbao to Irun there are frequent buses by Alsa (every 2h cost ~€7) and Flixbus (3x a day).

Probably worth spending the day/night in San Sebastián and then head to Irun to start the walk the next day?

 

[Former member 95219]

I would recommend Bilbao. Then take a bus to San Sebastian. What you could to is your stay in a hostel in San Sebastián, get the early bus to Irun, leaving your bag at San Sebastián hostel, and walk the quite tough day without a bag! Accommodation tended to be pricier in Irun than San Sebastián when I went (not sure if that always the case) so it’s a win win!

 

[Former member 95219]

That said I alway advocate a train journey!

 

[Richard of York]

Go to a C of E cathedral in England - you can get a passport at the gift shop. It has staples in the middle, so like a proper passport, and looks way cooler than what everyone else has.

It's meant for collecting stamps from all the cathedrals in England, so my first stamp was York Minster, my second St Wilfred's RC Church opposite. The lady at the desk had to go to the priests' office to find it.

 

[Corned Beef]

Rail travel is by Euskotren. Bilbao Airport to San Sebastian and then Irun.

home | Euskotren

www.euskotren.eus

From the French side it is Bayone to Hendaye on SNCF.

Choice will be whichever airport is the easier/cheaper for you.

 

[David with new Kit!]

I start the Norte from Irun this August and I'm flying from London City airport direct to Hondarribia (San Sebastian airport)

Otherwise, its quite easy to get to from Bilbao, with minimal changes in transport.

 

[WestKirsty]

With regards to getting your Camino passport, I recently got mine (by donation) in the Albergue de peregrinos Jakobi in Irun. Staff are very helpful and they have some maps etc. there as well.

Buen Camino!

 

[mark stevens]

We went via the train from Paris to Irun and walked over the bridge late at night. We knew getting passports was not easy there so bought via the forum instead. worked out great.

 

[DavidHodgen]

As others have suggested, an alternative would be to take the train (from Paris) to Bayonne. I started walking there. It is signed. Though you could take a train from Bayonne to Irun. You could get a credential in Bayonne Cathedral 4 years ago. The Cathedral is beautiful and a worthy starting point. I prefer to avoid flying and all the fuss and guilt that goes with it. French railways are generally reliable, regular, comfortable and good value. Admittedly it probably adds a couple of days to the trip and may cost a bit more but was suitable for me. And you see more of France of course.

 

[Vaughan]

Hi, I just wondered if anyone had any advice on the best way to get to the start of Camino Del Norte from UK. I'm planning to do 2 weeks at the end of this month from Irun to Santander (or as far as i get). My question is what is the best way to get to the start? There are flights to Biarritz from Stansted (which is hard for me to get to), and also flights to Bilbao from Gatwick (easier for me to get to). Is it easy getting to the start from either of these airports? Any recommended routes?
Also can you pick up the credential in Irun easily? I did the Frances in 2017 and got one easily in Saint Jean but not sure if similar in Irun?
Grateful for any help! Sam

Hi, I'm starting the Norte in August flying from Heathrow to San Sebastian via Madrid with BA/Iberia. The airport is very close to Irun

 

[nordmark]

Easy jet London Bordeaux and then by train to Irun. There are good hotels in the immediate surroundings of the station

 

[jackie & al]

Hi, I just wondered if anyone had any advice on the best way to get to the start of Camino Del Norte from UK. I'm planning to do 2 weeks at the end of this month from Irun to Santander (or as far as i get). My question is what is the best way to get to the start? There are flights to Biarritz from Stansted (which is hard for me to get to), and also flights to Bilbao from Gatwick (easier for me to get to). Is it easy getting to the start from either of these airports? Any recommended routes?
Also can you pick up the credential in Irun easily? I did the Frances in 2017 and got one easily in Saint Jean but not sure if similar in Irun?
Grateful for any help! Sam

Hi, we flew from Gatwick to Biarritz on the 26/4. We then shared a ride through Express Bourricot to SJPDP. Checked out their website as you have to book and they are busy, or call them on +34 661 960 476

 

[TeaCS]

That said I alway advocate a train journey!

Hi, I just wondered if anyone had any advice on the best way to get to the start of Camino Del Norte from UK. I'm planning to do 2 weeks at the end of this month from Irun to Santander (or as far as i get). My question is atwick what is the best way to get to the start? There are flights to Biarritz from Stansted (which is hard for me to get to), and also flights to Bilbao from Gatwick (easier for me to get to). Is it easy getting to the start from either of these airports? Any recommended routes?
Also can you pick up the credential in Irun easily? I did the Frances in 2017 and got one easily in Saint Jean but not sure if similar in Irun?
Grateful for any help! Sam

Hi! I think the best would be to fly from Gatwick to San Sebastian.. the airport is a walk dstance from Irun. As I know you have flights by Vueling which are very cheap .. I start Camino del norte in Irun on 21st of May arriving from Venice to San Sebastian!
Maybe see each other on the way…

 

[Dawsie]

Not useful for your first section, but for when you return to do another bit of the Norte:
I successfully flew from Heathrow to Aviles airport (via Madrid). The airport is practically on the Camino path.
Also the rail service which runs along the north coast was a delight.

 

[Richard Warr]

Not useful for your first section, but for when you return to do another bit of the Norte:
I successfully flew from Heathrow to Aviles airport (via Madrid). The airport is practically on the Camino path.
Also the rail service which runs along the north coast was a delight.

Hi, we took EurostR London to Paris first thing in the morning then the afternoon train to Bayonne, as others have said there is a bus service to Hendre and you can just walk across the bridge into Irun, the cost was only slightly more expensive than Ryanair when baggage and seat charges are considered. Alternatively stay a night in Paris and find the start of the Camino there before travelling onwards. Don't miss the English albergue at Miraz.
Buen Camino.

 

[nordmark]

Don't miss the English albergue at Miraz, I agree.... And of course the albergue de peregrinos de Guemes in Cantabria. (Last albergue before Santander)

 

[InBiarritz]

UK flights to Biarritz are RyanAir from Stansted, Easyjet fly from Gatwick and Bristol. In previous years they also have a Luton flight in the summer too.

 

[Mournes]

I would recommend Bilbao. Then take a bus to San Sebastian. What you could to is your stay in a hostel in San Sebastián, get the early bus to Irun, leaving your bag at San Sebastián hostel, and walk the quite tough day without a bag! Accommodation tended to be pricier in Irun than San Sebastián when I went (not sure if that always the case) so it’s a win win!

Re Irun more expensive than San Sebastian.That certainly has not been my experience.San Sebastian is a very up-market seaside resort.Hotels and hostals are very expensive and at a premium during the high season.No surprises there as San Sebastian is a beautiful resort which attracts many tourists from all over the World.There is a Youth Hostel which you pass on the Camino on the way out of San Sebastian which is not expensive.
Property prices in San Sebastian are some of the highest in Spain.It's a very wealthy area.