Questions re: starting Camino Frances the day after Easter

[erinadrift]

I plan to start the Camino Frances in SJPP the day after Easter (March 28, 2016). From what I've gathered online, travel on Easter Sunday via train/bus/taxi from Barcelona to SJPP should not be a problem. Can anyone confirm this based on experience? If I can travel on Easter, I should arrive in SJPP early evening. Will the Camino office be open on Easter in the evening? If not, will it be open the next day (Monday) which I understand is actually a public holiday in Spain? I appreciate any information folks have based on specific experience or knowledge of the situation during the holiday weekend.

Also, does anyone know the current snow situation on the Camino Frances route from SJPP to Roncesvalles? I realize it can change quickly but trying to understand current situation. Thanks!

 

[Erno1978]

Hi, that's nice! A fellow wanderer! I am starting the same day as you, we might see each other. I am travelling on Sunday from Amsterdam to Bayonne. Monday the 28th I will probably take the first train from Bayonne to SJPDP. First day I will just walk to Valcarlos (not the mountain way as far as I understood is that still closed when we are walking).

Happy walking!

 

[mspath]

I plan to start the Camino Frances in SJPP the day after Easter (March 28, 2016). From what I've gathered online, travel on Easter Sunday via train/bus/taxi from Barcelona to SJPP should not be a problem. Can anyone confirm this based on experience? If I can travel on Easter, I should arrive in SJPP early evening. Will the Camino office be open on Easter in the evening? If not, will it be open the next day (Monday) which I understand is actually a public holiday in Spain? I appreciate any information folks have based on specific experience or knowledge of the situation during the holiday weekend.

Also, does anyone know the current snow situation on the Camino Frances route from SJPP to Roncesvalles? I realize it can change quickly but trying to understand current situation. Thanks!

erinadrift,

The Pilgrim Office in SJPdP is open every day of the year. Why not telephone them when you arrive in Bayonne to tell them of your pending arrival? Here is the number .

Bon chemin and Buen camino!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Also, does anyone know the current snow situation on the Camino Frances route from SJPP to Roncesvalles?

They got 35cm of snow a few days ago.

 

[whariwharangi]

I plan to start the Camino Frances in SJPP the day after Easter (March 28, 2016). From what I've gathered online, travel on Easter Sunday via train/bus/taxi from Barcelona to SJPP should not be a problem. Can anyone confirm this based on experience? If I can travel on Easter, I should arrive in SJPP early evening. Will the Camino office be open on Easter in the evening? If not, will it be open the next day (Monday) which I understand is actually a public holiday in Spain? I appreciate any information folks have based on specific experience or knowledge of the situation during the holiday weekend.

Also, does anyone know the current snow situation on the Camino Frances route from SJPP to Roncesvalles? I realize it can change quickly but trying to understand current situation. Thanks!

You are advised to check train and bus schedules to confirm any travel plans. My experience with travel on a holiday (New Years Day) is that buses are fully subscribed with line ups around the bus station (and that was for the washroom and women lining up for stalls in the mens room). I'd suggest reservations are in order.

Renfe provides train service from Barcelona Sants to Pamplona.

ViBaSA provides bus service from Sants to Pamplona.

ALSA provides bus service from Estacion Nord to Zaragosa and Zaragosa to Pamplona.

CONDA (owned by ALSA) provides bus service from Pamplona to SJPdP.

Camino office in SJPdP is located in Aquitaine France ... not Spain. Easter Monday is a holiday in SJPdP Aquitaine France.

My understanding is that Monday following Easter is not an official holiday ... except in following 5 regions: CT, LO, NA, PV, VC of which I understand NA to be Navarra which includes Roncesvalles and Pamplona. EVERYTHING is closed on holidays (except albergues).

 

[Marina Zd]

I plan to start the Camino Frances in SJPP the day after Easter (March 28, 2016). From what I've gathered online, travel on Easter Sunday via train/bus/taxi from Barcelona to SJPP should not be a problem. Can anyone confirm this based on experience? If I can travel on Easter, I should arrive in SJPP early evening. Will the Camino office be open on Easter in the evening? If not, will it be open the next day (Monday) which I understand is actually a public holiday in Spain? I appreciate any information folks have based on specific experience or knowledge of the situation during the holiday weekend.

Also, does anyone know the current snow situation on the Camino Frances route from SJPP to Roncesvalles? I realize it can change quickly but trying to understand current situation. Thanks!

Hi, that's nice! A fellow wanderer! I am starting the same day as you, we might see each other. I am travelling on Sunday from Amsterdam to Bayonne. Monday the 28th I will probably take the first train from Bayonne to SJPDP. First day I will just walk to Valcarlos (not the mountain way as far as I understood is that still closed when we are walking).

Happy walking!

Great! Maybe I'll see both of you than somewhere on the Camino since I'll start from Roncesvalles on April 1st!