bordeaux to SJPP

[accordeon/21]

What is the best way to get from Bordeaux City to St Jean Pied De Port.
We will be traveling on April 21st. Thank you

 

[NualaOC]

Hi @accordeon/21, welcome to the forum. I see this is your first post.

I looked at this option a while ago, but didn't actually do it. Flying to Biarritz was an easier option.

From Bordeaux you can get a train to Bayonne, then one to Saint Jean Pied de Port. Depending on your flight times, this might require an overnight stop in Bayonne.

You can search for French train times here: https://www.sncf-connect.com/app/en-en/home/search
https://www.rome2rio.com might also help you find other options.

Happy planning and Buen Camino!

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome to the forum. What Nuala said, train to Bayonne the on to SJPP.
If you are flying from Ireland the flight to Biarritz would be a better option.
Buen Camino.

 

[JabbaPapa]

The best way would be to walk there on the Tours Way which goes through that city, and leads directly to SJPP.

 

[TMcA]

If you wind up taking the train to Bayonne and then on to SJdPP, the tram in town goes out to the railroad station.

 

[JabbaPapa]

The second best option IMO would be to get transport to Saint-Palais (there's a cheap local bus from Biarritz), then walk from there to SJPP. So at least some training for the legs before confronting the mountain. But still better for that purpose to walk from Bordeaux, not excluding the advantages of hiking through wine country.

 

[accordeon/21]

On our 2021 and 2022 Caminos we flew from Dublin to Biarritz and Express Bourricot to SJPP.
Next year we are flying direct from Cork to Bourdeaux as this is our home city. We will arrive in Bourdeaux on Weds. 19th April and start walking from SJPP on Sat 22nd so plenty of time. Thanks for all the options.

 

[Simon Shum]

If you are taking the train from Bordeaux City, make sure you tell the ticket lady that you are going to St Jean Pied De Port. If you just said St Jean, she might assume and give you a ticket to "St Jean de Luz" which is a very popular vacation spot. That was what happened to my pilgrim friend couple years ago! Luckily she looked at the ticket and went back the next day to buy a new ticket!!
Bordeaux is a very pretty city and there is an albergue in the old town which is also walking distance to Tourist Office and half an hour walk to the train station.
Buen Camino

 

[Tandem Graham]

The best way would be to walk there on the Tours Way which goes through that city, and leads directly to SJPP.

In 2019 I flew into Bordeaux and caught a train to Dax, where I stayed in a little volunteer-managed Gite d'Etape (albergue). Three days to walk from there to SJPdP via Sorde l'Abbaye and St Palais, along the Tours route. It meant my legs were fully tuned up before the Pyrenees.

 

[Nick MJ]

I caught a train from Bordeaux to Bayonne but had missed the connecting train to StJPP. Instead I shared a taxi to StJPP with a couple of other pilgrims that I met at Bayonne station. Not the cheapest option but certainly cheaper than an extra night in Bayonne.

 

[NualaOC]

On our 2021 and 2022 Caminos we flew from Dublin to Biarritz and Express Bourricot to SJPP.
Next year we are flying direct from Cork to Bourdeaux as this is our home city. We will arrive in Bourdeaux on Weds. 19th April and start walking from SJPP on Sat 22nd so plenty of time. Thanks for all the options.

I looked at this again and remembered that Alsa International/Blablabus has some routes in France. And sure enough, there's one between Bordeaux and Bayonne.

You can check the options here closer to your arrival date.
They'll include ride-shares (blablacar), which might also be worth considering.

Hope this helps! Nuala