Bilbao to St Jean

[Astrogirl]

Hello fellow Pilgrims,


Unfortunately when i booked my tickets i really didn't do my research too well.. And booked my flight to Bilbao, thinking this was the best option... Now that i am older (by a few months) and wiser, i have realised the err of my ways...lol!

SO i am wondering how best to get to St Jean from Bilbao... Have caught wind that there is a bus to Hendaye and then train to St Jean... Would this be the quickest way?

Please help....

 

[marktqm]

Astrogirl,

That's exactly what I just did, and I don't consider it an error at all. Bilbao is the best place to adjust from jet lag, there's the Santiago cathedral where you can get your first sello, and of course, the Guggenheim Museum. It's also where I left my luggage before setting off for SJPP; wonderful staff at the Hotel Bilbao Jardines at the Casco Viejo.

That's right, you take the bus to Hendaye, then take the train to Bayonne and onwards to SJPP. In the Hendaye station you can buy the tickets for the 2 train journeys. A train journey is always better than a bus; you can take a walk along the aisles any time and there's the toilet available.

A couple of German ladies I met in the Bilbao Termibus took the same bus but went all the way to Biarritz; I left them in Hendaye. I was told later they had to transfer to another bus or take a taxi to Bayonne. I arrived in Bayonne much earlier than them. And they were almost late for the SJPP train.

From Santiago de Compostela back to Bilbao there's an overnight bus that leaves at 6 PM and arrives in Bilbao at 5:30 AM, although I strongly suggest you take the train.

Mark

 

[Astrogirl]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for that wonderful advice. Bilbao sounds like a very nice place to rest our boddies after traveling by plane for almost 25hours..

We ar planning on making this epic journey in early May. Am thinking that an overnight stay in Bilbao then head to St Jean with a hopefull arrival at around 1630...
Providing weather is ok, do you think walking to Hunto from there will be too much for the day? No doubt we will be playing it by ear as well...

Thankyou fellow Pilgrims

Astrogirl

 

[Anonymous]

Astrogirl, SJPDP - Honto: 5,2 km (approx 45"); recommend making reservations. Buen Camino, xm 8)