Hi
I'm planning to start my first Camino from SJPDP sometime in mid September.
As yet I have made no firm travel plan. I had considered (1) budget airlines to Biarritz then SJPDP via Bayonne but I'm put off by the barrage of restrictions that are involved in getting the backpack on board. My backpack would also have to go in the hold and the small but finite chance of it getting 'lost' en route has put me right off this means of travel. In order to keep my eyes on my backpack for the entire outward journey I then considered going via rail. From the UK it's a straightforward matter to travel to London, catch the Eurostar to Paris and then take the TGV onward to Bayonne/Biarritz. But of course we now have the SNCF strike.
However there is a possible alternative. As I live very close to Portsmouth (UK), there are several ferries per week that go to either of Bilbao or Santander. It takes a rather relaxing and bohemian 25 hours! The internet indicates that there is a coach that departs Santander at about 18:00 on certain days of the week which arrives in Bayonne at about 22:00. Does anyone have any experience of this means of getting to Bayonne? or any other alternative routes from Santander/Bilbao to SJPDP?
I know that in Santander or Bilbao I would be ideally situated for the Camino del Norte, but I'd prefer to do the Camino Frances as my first Camino.
Many Thanks.
I'm planning to start my first Camino from SJPDP sometime in mid September.
As yet I have made no firm travel plan. I had considered (1) budget airlines to Biarritz then SJPDP via Bayonne but I'm put off by the barrage of restrictions that are involved in getting the backpack on board. My backpack would also have to go in the hold and the small but finite chance of it getting 'lost' en route has put me right off this means of travel. In order to keep my eyes on my backpack for the entire outward journey I then considered going via rail. From the UK it's a straightforward matter to travel to London, catch the Eurostar to Paris and then take the TGV onward to Bayonne/Biarritz. But of course we now have the SNCF strike.
However there is a possible alternative. As I live very close to Portsmouth (UK), there are several ferries per week that go to either of Bilbao or Santander. It takes a rather relaxing and bohemian 25 hours! The internet indicates that there is a coach that departs Santander at about 18:00 on certain days of the week which arrives in Bayonne at about 22:00. Does anyone have any experience of this means of getting to Bayonne? or any other alternative routes from Santander/Bilbao to SJPDP?
I know that in Santander or Bilbao I would be ideally situated for the Camino del Norte, but I'd prefer to do the Camino Frances as my first Camino.
Many Thanks.