Traveler from Chicago

[Chiginger]

I am planning to walk the casino frances. Anyone from Chicago interested in doing the casino in September 2013?

Ginger

 

[tominrm]

Ginger, I also live in the Chicago area and am planning the French Way in April, 2014 and slowly warming up by gathering info and building up gears. Since you will be leaving soon, you must have planned a lot of things already. My questions are:
1. How do you get to sjpdp? Chicago to Paris and train, or Chicago to Madrid and train/taxi? And why?
I thought I would fly into Madrid, take train to Pamplona, stay overnight, taxi/shuttle to sjpdp, stay over night and start my pilgrimage.
2. Using the day you leave Chicago as Day 1, when are you going to start from sjpdp? Day 2, Day 3, Day 4? Considering logistics and jet lag.

 

[jpflavin1]

Tominrim:

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Some things to consider before you choose a port of entry into Europe.

You have already decided on SJPdP as a starting point. Therefore, Madrid is the point of entry I would recommend. If you plan on additional European stops another port of entry (London, Paris or Barcelona could also work.

Since you are coming in April the bus service from Pamplona to SJPdP (once a day) might not have begun. I recommend that you check out the thread "Taxi share from Pamplona to SJPdP". In regards to starting. I usually take a night flight and sleep. You arrive in the morning and then have a day of travel to get to SJPdP. Arrive in SJPdP evening and check in at Pilgrim office. Meet fellow Pilgrims and start in the morning. I recommend you stay at Orisson (8 km's) the first night. It breaks up the first day (toughest day on the Frances, imo) and allows you to meet more Pilgrims.

Hope this helps. if I can be of further assistance, please feel free to PM me.

FYI, there is a new Pilgrim group in Chicago area. ChicagoAreaChapter@americanpilgrims.com Bianca DiValerio is the coordinator. The group is made up of Camino veterans and those looking to walk their first Camino.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[Magpie]

Hello Ginger,

I'm looking into a similar trip - fly out of O'Hare in late Sept, arrive somewhere in Spain - either Bilboa or Madrid, travel to SJPP or further north, and then start the Camino Frances. I'd like to walk to Santiago, then Muxia, and then head south to Porto.

I haven't made any final decisions yet, but it looks likely that I will, and soon.

Amy

 

[whariwharangi]

Ginger, I also live in the Chicago area and am planning the French Way in April, 2014 and slowly warming up by gathering info and building up gears. Since you will be leaving soon, you must have planned a lot of things already. My questions are:
1. How do you get to sjpdp? Chicago to Paris and train, or Chicago to Madrid and train/taxi? And why?
I thought I would fly into Madrid, take train to Pamplona, stay overnight, taxi/shuttle to sjpdp, stay over night and start my pilgrimage.
2. Using the day you leave Chicago as Day 1, when are you going to start from sjpdp? Day 2, Day 3, Day 4? Considering logistics and jet lag.

Biarritz Airport (BIQ) is the closest airport to SJPdP. If you plan to start at SJPdP, travel via BIQ is the least complicated way of access. From there you take the urban bus (14) to Gare Bayonne and the train to SJPdP (TER 62)

Train service from Paris to Bayonne and onward to SJPdP is convenient.

Travel to SJPdP from Pamplona is not convenient. There are at most two buses per day and for many months of the year there is none. If you go via Madrid then you are better off taking the train to Irun, crossing the border into France and boarding another train in Hendaye. Then go to Bayonne and catch another train to SJPdP. It sounds more complicated than it is.

Biarritz airport
http://en.biarritz.aeroport.fr/

Bayonne/Biarritz urban bus service
http://www.chronoplus.eu/

France train system
http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers

Spain train system
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html

Irun train station:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irun_railway_station

Hendaye train station:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gare_d%27Hendaye

Gare Bayonne
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gare_de_Bayonne

Estacion de Autobuses Pamplona
http://estaciondeautobusesdepamplona.com/Inicio.aspx

 

[mseamus]

Hi Ginger,
My name is Seamus and I live in Chicago and I am trying to get my passport and my trip lined up. I am hoping to start on 9/1 from St. Jean

 

[mseamus]

I am asking for help from any one willing! I am in Chicago and I have never been out of the country and I am trying to get set up for a start date on 9/1 from STJPD, I am working on getting my passport lined up and I really have no idea where to start as far as the planning of the actual camino. If there is someone who can help me get some things figured out I would really appreciate it. I am a total and complete rookie in these affairs, so please HELP. Seamus

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, seamus

There are a lot of us willing to help you get things figured out. But you'll have to ask us some questions -- maybe after doing a bit of research through the archives. Planning a camino is a lot of fun, so don't feel overwhelmed. The best thing about it is that you really don't need too many plans at all! Buen camino, Laurie

 

[ManyMiles2Go]

I am asking for help from any one willing! I am in Chicago and I have never been out of the country and I am trying to get set up for a start date on 9/1 from STJPD, I am working on getting my passport lined up and I really have no idea where to start as far as the planning of the actual camino. If there is someone who can help me get some things figured out I would really appreciate it. I am a total and complete rookie in these affairs, so please HELP. Seamus

Hi Seamus! I am new to the forum also, but have been reading them for months now. One thing you will want to do is get your airline tickets as soon as you can, they are usually cheaper the earlier you get them. But you will need your passport first to buy an international flight ticket. The 2nd most important thing you will want to do is have your walking shoes/boots purchased ASAP if you don't already have them. You need to break them in properly before you start your pilgrimage. Read everything you can on the forums. You can get information on packing lists, walking poles, weather, clothing to wear, anything you can think of. Just do a search at the top of the page "See if your question has been asked before". You can find tons of information from these wonderful people who have been there before :lol:

Buen Camino!!

 

[refindingmypurpose]

Ginger,
I am from North Carolina. Leaving here on Aug. 28. I will be starting the Camino de Frances the week of Sept 9-13. One of those days anyway. I am flying into London to a friend's house. Hanging for a weekish. Then heading on...flying on Easy Jet to Biarritz, then Bus, then Train to St Jean...in which I found this info from all these wonderful people on this forum. THEN...THE CAMINO shall direct the way! I'll be in no rush. I think I made my exit flight out of London on Nov 5th.
My reason for this journey is only known in my heart and soul at this point but it is leading me there...

Cindi :arrow:

P.S. I have spoken to a few women also leaving sometime in Sept. on this forum.
I wish you so much luck and happiness in your journey!

 

[tominrm]

Thank you all for helpful tips and advices.

I have seen an ad and review for Corazon Puro hostel in Pamplona who offer a pick up at the Pamplona train station/airport, feed dinner, room for over night and drive to sjpdp the next morning. All for about 40 euros, I think. I thought this several-arrangements-in-one meets all my needs until I am ready to start in sjpdp. All I have to do is go to Pamplona by train.

The main reason I think I fly into Madrid is that I have never been there before. I have cushion of 3-4 days to see Madrid if I finish french way according to recommended schedule.

 

[whariwharangi]

I am asking for help from any one willing! I am in Chicago and I have never been out of the country and I am trying to get set up for a start date on 9/1 from STJPD, I am working on getting my passport lined up and I really have no idea where to start as far as the planning of the actual camino. If there is someone who can help me get some things figured out I would really appreciate it. I am a total and complete rookie in these affairs, so please HELP. Seamus

Aim: walk the camino

Time appreciation:

-how much time do you have?
-You need time for travel, I'd allow three days each way.
-Time left over is how much time you have to walk.

A minimum of 35 days to walk from SJPdP to Santiago gracefully (there are people who walk faster and slower). If you have less time you may want to consider starting closer to Santiago ... Such as Leon, Burgos, or Pamplona. A guidebook and map (google earth) are most helpful in planning this part.

Gear:

What do you need for gear. Make a list. Do you have it? If not get it. Most important item is a good pair of walking shoes tried tested and true. You need to consider sleeping, hygiene, eating, clothing, weather gear, and how you are going to carry it all.

Documents:

Passport, Visa (I think US citizens get 90 days under Schengen treaty with no prearrangement but you need to check with your foreign affairs office) Pilgrim credencial (which you get from your local Pilgrim Society or at the Pilgrim Office in SJPdP), credit card, bank card that works on Interac/Cirrus/Maestro/etal, and travel health insurance. Obtain at least 100 Euros cash from your local money exchange.

Budget:

35 euros per day minimum plus travel costs plus a contingency of at least 10%.

Travel:

- Your start point is important. Transportation in Spain and France is very good but if you try to get to a starting point from too far away it can be like swimming up hill.

-Closest airport to SJPdP is Biarritz (BIQ). There are connecting flights to Paris and London but not Madrid ...

-Travel home needs to be considered. Travel from Santiago (SCQ) is easy with flights, trains, and buses that go all over Europe. If you don't have time constraints leave some time to travel in Europe.

Once you know where you are going and have the time appreciation for travel worked out then buy your tickets. Make sure to allow enough time between transfers as customs, security, baggage, and airplane arrival times are all conjectural points of delay where Murphy's law prevails.

The hardest part of the journey is the first step. Once you are on the camino its easy.