Best route

[geriflower]

I am planning to leave from Boston on May 10th, with a friend. He wants to start at SJPP. I want to start at Roncevalles and meet him there. Can I get to Roncevalles by train or bus from SJPP or do I have to go to Pamplona and then go backward to Roncevalles?

 

[tyrrek]

Hi! Where are you arriving in France/Spain? Buen Camino!

 

[fortview]

Hi,
We did exactly that in September. After endless discussions, this is what we came up with.
We travelled by train from Paris to Bayonne, stayed the night in Bayonne then took the little train to SJPdP the next morning. We went to the pilgrims office to check the weather and get our credentials. Then I took Johns backpack, he had a day pack, and got a taxi from outside tourist info, the kind lady inside rang for one for me, to Roncevalles.
So I waited in Roncevalles for John and he did the walk over the Pyrenees in one go.
It took him about 8 hours.
The taxi cost around 50 euros, so not cheap, but it worked for us to do it that way. My starting point was always going to be Roncevalles, and his was always going to be SJPdP !!


Buen camino,
Helen

 

[Deleted member 3000]

It is easier to get to Roncesvalles from Pamplona than anywhere in France. You can see bus service here:

http://www.pamplona.net/VerPagina.asp?i ... 0&idioma=1
http://www.autocaresartieda.com/?scc=svpropios
http://www.autobusesdenavarra.com/siv/i ... quedas.jsp

Starting in April there has been ALSA bus service to Roncesvalles and SJPdP, too. They have not yet announced if they will operate it this year, but it is popular, so they probably will.

 

[scruffy1]

We all have our superstitions, once on the Camino never turn your back to Santiago is mine and Pamplona is on your Camino. San Sebastian is a wonderful place to deal with jet lag, a train to Bayonne and a bus to Saint Jean is quick, fun, easily accomplished and is considerate of my prejudices.
S