Camino from Estella - how to get there

[Shelmar]

Returning to do another section of the Camino. Planing to fly into Bilbao on 5th October, I have a number of questions :
1. Transport from Bilbao to Estella, as our flight does not arrive until 16.15, should we stay overnight in Bilbao and how is the best way to get to Estella
2. What will weather be like in October
3. Plan to do about 6 days walking - any recommendations and/or suggestions of where to stay etc much appreciated.

 

[Tincatinker]

1. https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Bilbao/Estella-Lizarra but you'll have to dig deeper, neither the bus companies or RENFE publish timetables that far in advance. Also its worth going to the transport providers own websites rather than searching through on Rome2 for tickets - they don't have reciprocals with all the providers. Flight lands at 16:15, clear immigration and pick up the bus into the city... I'd plan on a night in Bilbao and enjoy every moment of it.
2. Who knows. But a site like http://www.aemet.es/es/eltiempo/prediccion/comunidades?k=nav&w=22&o=pais will give you forcasts nearer the time and historical data if you want to look at seasonal averages

 

[scruffy1]

Bilbao means the Guggenheim Museum - you should try and make enough time to see Frank Gehry's wonder - no need to go inside, a short walk along the river to see it will do, best view is from the bridge where the trucks rush by.
Weather, no politics mind you, the weather is now problematic and changing what was was but even with a
a "weather man it's hard to know which way the wind blows" (sorry Bob).
Los Arcos? If you have any German stay there with the Germans if you have any French with the Belgians otherwise doesn't much matter. Logroño ? The albergue is nothing to write home about centrally located on the Camino offering all your needs right between the Casino and the Police Station. Do visit Calle/Travesia del Laurel for the tapas. As you leave look high up on your right for the h-u-g-e Mata Moros.
Naverette? Do stop into the church, at first glance dark and univiting but do spend a dime to turn on the lights to see a ton of Conquistador gold hanging off the walls. The albergue there is pleasant a bit crowded but again nothing to write home about. I treated myself to a night in Hostal Villa de Navarrete 40€. By far best food can be found at Casa de comidas Begoña y Antonio in the church square under the sign Bar Deportiva. Najera? Never did much like the place, my own opinion for what it's worth. Walking towards Santo Domingo de la Calzada I always take the side trip to Cañas and Cirueña for the Monasterio Cisterciense de Cañas . As the name implies it is/was a Cistercian church meaning very little ostentation.
Buen Camino

 

[Kathar1na]

Planing to fly into Bilbao on 5th October - flight does not arrive until 16.15 - Plan to do about 6 days walking

Travelling by bus on a Saturday night or Sunday reduces your options as compared to a week day. I personally like to get as close as possible to my final destination on the day of travelling.

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Bilbao/Estella-Lizarra has already been recommended. Consider also options by bus for Bilbao-Logroño and Bilbao-Pamplona and then a local bus or even a taxi to Estella. This gives you a lot more options, especially late in the day.

As mentioned, timetables for October are often not yet available but look at those for now to get an idea of what may be possible in October.

 

[Jo A]

I'm flying into Bilbao a few weeks before you at a similar time of day. This is what I'm planning based on current bus timetable, so as not to waste to much time travelling to Estella and just get walking!
Bus from airport to main Bilbao bus station
Launion bus to Vitoria, overnight stop there in hostel
Then early Alva bus to Estella in morning gets me to there around 9am ready to walk.