Transporting bike from/to Madrid for the Camino Francés

[StevieC]

Hi!

I have searched this forum for an explanation of how to get a MTB from Madrid to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and the standard approach seems to be train/bus to Pamplona and a taxi from there across the border for 90 euros? Not much info on how to get the bike back from Santiago to Madrid, but I know that trains will not accept bikes from there.

Are there any alternatives, like get a train to San Sebastian, cycle over the border there and down to SJPP?

For the return would it be possible to cycle to somewhere like Vigo and return from there?

Thanks - Steve

 

[api]

Hi!

I have searched this forum for an explanation of how to get a MTB from Madrid to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and the standard approach seems to be train/bus to Pamplona and a taxi from there across the border for 90 euros? Not much info on how to get the bike back from Santiago to Madrid, but I know that trains will not accept bikes from there.

Are there any alternatives, like get a train to San Sebastian, cycle over the border there and down to SJPP?

For the return would it be possible to cycle to somewhere like Vigo and return from there?

Thanks - Steve

Hi StevieC!

I have a couple of questions for you. It would be really great if you will be able to give some details and/or advises.

Me and my friend are going to cycle Camino French way (from SJPDP to Santiago) in the beginning of September. I'm researching the best way to get to SJPDP, but all of them having both pros and cons.

How did you get from Madrid to SJPDP? I was thinking about to arrive to Madrid airport, rent a car (need to transfer two bicycles) in Madrid and drop it off at Biarritz, spend rest of the day there and start in the morning by route: Biarritz - Bayonne - SJPDP and so on following French Way. But the cost of car rent stopped me immediately - they want ~$1100 for one day rent! It's totally not acceptable.

So, I tried to check possibility to get to Biarritz by plane and there is one such option, with connection in Paris (Kiev (Ukraine) - Paris (CDG) - 4hrs connection and airport change - Paris (ORL) - Biarritz. But in this case I'm afraid that I will need to take bicycles at a baggage drop off in CDG and transfer them somehow to ORL and then check in them again on the next flight - probably 4hrs connection will not be enough.

So the only way is to take complex route like Madrid airport - bus to Pamplona (is is possible to transfer a bike there?) - get to SJPDP or Biarritz/Bayonne somehow...

I hope you will read and be able to share some experience.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Michael Glennon]

I want to fly into Amsterdam with my bicycle from Sydney Australia then ride from there to Santiago de Compostella. How to get the bike back to NL, anyone ?

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

https://camino-fietstransport.nl/
http://www.fiets-vervoer.nl/partners_rome.html

Hi Michael ,
You can check the above websites .

Wish you well , Peter .

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola @Michael Glennon; @api; @StevieC;
I agree transporting bikes is a real problem. Back in 2015 I brought my mountain bike/hybrid from Oz (Syd/Madrid/Syd). Now I started my camino in Pamplona so I put it on the train (Media Distance ones). Normally these trains have a restriction - no bikes more than 1500mm (about 5 ft) in lenghth. Fortunately for me the conductor realised I was a pilgrim and did not hassle me too much. Getting back from Santiago was another issue - the bike shop in SDC arranged transport and packaging (for about E80). But it had to be transported to a hotel or private house they would not drop off at the airport unless I could guarantee that I would be there. Not possible.
Getting from Pamplona to Roncesvalles might be possible on the bus or taxi. Any real reason to start in St Jean??
As for getting the bike back to Amsterdam - no real help there. Plane or train or bus - but then you need to have it packed. (Oh one other thing you will need to thoroughly wash the bike before packing). Velocipedo in SDC (Rua San Pedro 15) is a very helpful place - they are right on the Camino Frances once you are past the bus station. They might even be able to arrange transport back to NL. Best of luck and Buen Camino!!

 

[Michael Glennon]

Hi Peter and Mike thanks for your great responses and info. I have now decided to fly to Paris and ride to Valencia. After recovering from jet lag the plan is to ride 154km east out of Paris to join the Camino Campaniensis to Vézelay (259km). Then the GR3 to Le Puy-En-Velay (486km) where I'll join the GR65 Camino Podiensis to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. (767km). On to Spain via the Camino Frances to Burgos then south on the Camino Cid to Valencia a total of 3120 kilometres. I've given myself 48 days. which averages out at 65km per day.

I've read on the internet that the easiest way to get myself and the bike to Barcelona is to catch an ALSA bus paying 10 euros for the bike which has to be covered and the front wheel removed. Apparently a cover can be purchased at the bus station for approximately 12 euros.

I booked and paid for the air ticket today. Arrive Paris October 7 fly out of Barcelona November 30, I have ordered the bike a Salsa Fargo so I've got four months to prep myself and the bike.
Buen Camino!!