Beginnings..

[elsbeth]

Traveling from Madrid to Pamplona by train, then bus to St Jean mid-April. Any info or suggestions are welcome. Should we pre-purchase our tickets? Are the stations in Pamplona close to one another? Any tips are welcome - many thanks

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Welcome to the forum!

If you have not bought your train tickets yet, why not take the bus to Pamplona from the airport? Easy peasy.

 

[Deleted member 43985]

If you choose that way you are only 2kms from the Renfe S tation to the Alsa Bus Station, an easy walk to help you warm up for the next day! The only catch you need to consider is that the bus to SJPDP leaves at 6pm so you will come in after dark. If you want to splurge a little you can take a taxi right from the Renfe station to SJPDP for approx 96 Euros and you'll be there before lunch and can explore the town and Citadel a little before stopping into the Pilgrim Office.
Good luck and Buen Camino,
Jordon

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

If you choose that way you are only 2kms from the Renfe S tation to the Alsa Bus Station, an easy walk to help you warm up for the next day!

Or right in front of the train station is a bus stop. Take line 9 which comes every 15 minutes or so and get off at the fort, La Ciudadela on Av. Ejercito. 1.20 euros. You can check your bags in a locker at the bus station and use your walking time to explore the city north of the station. Say, Plaza del Castillo or the bullring. See @jozero's map above.

Don't let names fool you. You take a CONDE bus to St. Jean but CONDE is a subsidiary of ALSA. Also, the bus station is underground for the most part with a long low glass building serving as the entrance.

 

[elsbeth]

Thank you for the suggestions. I think this is the most confusing part of our planning. How do most get from Madrid to St Jean?

 

[KinkyOne]

Traveling from Madrid to Pamplona by train, then bus to St Jean mid-April. Any info or suggestions are welcome. Should we pre-purchase our tickets? Are the stations in Pamplona close to one another? Any tips are welcome - many thanks

There is also one direct flight (Iberia) from Madrid to Biarritz daily except weekends, for as low as 58€ and it takes just over an hour. On Mondays at 9AM and the rest four days between 12-1PM. You didn't say which month are you planning to walk the Camino so I checked for May 2017. Maybe you can even buy "open-jaw" ticket because Iberia is member of Star Alliance (http://www.staralliance.com/en/member-airlines).
If that suits you then take a peek in some of the "getting from Biarritz airport to SJPdP" threads (Getting to/from Camino subform).

Happy planning

 

[Mikel Olivares]

Madrid - Puerta de Atocha (Train station) to Pamplona only three and a half hours.
You can also take the bus to Pamplona at Madrid airport, cheaper and take a little longer.
Pamplona to Saint Jean P. de P. an hour and a half by bus.

 

[elsbeth]

Thank you

 

[KinkyOne]

Thank you

Hope all will go well.
And please report back what kind of transportation (prices, timetables etc.) you choose for future pilgrims that might need that info.

Ultreia!

 

[Mikel Olivares]

Hello everyone.
To come to Pamplona from Madrid.

RENFE, railway operator.
Departure from Puerta de Atocha train station
There are several trains, but I recommend Alvia, direct From Madrid to Pamplona
There are 4 Alvia a day, 2 in the morning, 1 in the afternoon and 1 in the evening.
Travel time, 3 hours. Cost starting from 23,55 €

ALSA, bus.
Departure from T4 Airport
Hours, 01:15, 10:45, 15:15, 19:45.
Travel time, more than 5 hours. Cost from € 22,40

Prices can change depending by day, time and promotions.

 

[elsbeth]

I appreciate the advice - thank you all. I will post our plans/cost when the decision is made.

 

[Joseph_MT]

Hello everyone.
To come to Pamplona from Madrid.

RENFE, railway operator.
Departure from Puerta de Atocha train station
There are several trains, but I recommend Alvia, direct From Madrid to Pamplona
There are 4 Alvia a day, 2 in the morning, 1 in the afternoon and 1 in the evening.
Travel time, 3 hours. Cost starting from 23,55 €

ALSA, bus.
Departure from T4 Airport
Hours, 01:15, 10:45, 15:15, 19:45.
Travel time, more than 5 hours. Cost from € 22,40

Prices can change depending by day, time and promotions.

Another option which I've found and hoping to take end of March - http://plmautocares.com/

Would appreciate any feedback from those who have chose this service