backpackandbeans
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Heading to the Camino summer 2014!
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Hi all,
I am heading out to complete the Camino Frances in the summer. I leave from England to Biarritz on July 5th and return on August 8th.
However, I have to go back in the middle for three days to be a bridesmaid at my best friend's wedding. As a result I am only left with 30 days, some of which will be spent travelling.
I have decided that I would like to head out at Easter to begin my trip and then there won't be as much pressure in the summer as I will have less distance to cover.
I've broken my questions down and if anyone can help with any of them it would be so much appreciated!
1) Easyjet only offer flights from London Gatwick to Biarritz from the summer and they are the only cheap airline heading there. I would prefer not to go from stansted but might have to. Is there another airport from which I can travel easily to SJPP?
2) I would like to walk for a week or just over as I have to get back for another wedding (I'm at that age where all my friends seem to be getting married! ) and wondered where I might make it to in a week to ten days and which airport would be easiest to fly back from?
3) when I come back in the summer, my flight is to Biarritz. Will I be able to get bus or something to pick up where I left off?
I know that this set up is far from ideal, but it's all I've got and am trying to make best of a bad situation rather than staying at home sulking that all my chums are getting hitched! I posted either on this forum or another, I can't remember, but was advised not to do it, which I think would be a real shame. So if you can help, I will be forever grateful!!
With so many thanks,
Claire x
Hi all,
I am heading out to complete the Camino Frances in the summer. I leave from England to Biarritz on July 5th and return on August 8th.
However, I have to go back in the middle for three days to be a bridesmaid at my best friend's wedding. As a result I am only left with 30 days, some of which will be spent travelling.
I have decided that I would like to head out at Easter to begin my trip and then there won't be as much pressure in the summer as I will have less distance to cover.
I've broken my questions down and if anyone can help with any of them it would be so much appreciated!
1) Easyjet only offer flights from London Gatwick to Biarritz from the summer and they are the only cheap airline heading there. I would prefer not to go from stansted but might have to. Is there another airport from which I can travel easily to SJPP?
2) I would like to walk for a week or just over as I have to get back for another wedding (I'm at that age where all my friends seem to be getting married! ) and wondered where I might make it to in a week to ten days and which airport would be easiest to fly back from?
3) when I come back in the summer, my flight is to Biarritz. Will I be able to get bus or something to pick up where I left off?
I know that this set up is far from ideal, but it's all I've got and am trying to make best of a bad situation rather than staying at home sulking that all my chums are getting hitched! I posted either on this forum or another, I can't remember, but was advised not to do it, which I think would be a real shame. So if you can help, I will be forever grateful!!
With so many thanks,
Claire x
Why catch a bus from Logrono to Barcelona? They are directly linked by train. 4 hours and 18 minutes by train, 5 hours 45 minutes by bus.
San Fermines in Pamplona is from July 6 through 14, so departing for Biarritz on July 5 will get you to Pamplona right in the middle. The largest albergue in Pamplona closes for the festival, so pilgrim accommodations are quite difficult. As a result, the albergues in Cizur Menor fill quickly, so there is a bit of a dead zone for beds around the city. Starting July 5, hotel rates go up by a factor of five to ten. You can book a room now for July 7 for as low as 50E, but most hotel rooms are 200E or more even at this early day.
The Camino route is blocked during San Fermines until about 9 a.m., then it is simply very crowded with celebrants. Unless you are visiting Pamplona for San Fermines, it is a difficult city to be in during the festival.
A1. Barcelona-- bus/train to Pamplona-- bus to SJPDP.
A2. Start at SJPDP and get to Logroño. Easy bus ride to Madrid (directly to Barajas Terminal 4 drop off) or Barcelona.
A3. I think planning this Camino is a GREAT idea! If you are willing to put in the time for good planning GO FOR IT!! Buen Camino!!
CISSA69-- the poster had already stated she will be heading out in the Summer so that was already considered into the answer. That said, good point for those doing research who may be going during the Fall/winter/Spring.The bus to SJPP is seasonal so beware
Logrono is doable within 10 days and from there you can get a bus to Barcelona, from where you can fly from a number of airports. Check to see what page Logrono appears in your guide. It appears on page 8 of my guide. Most pilgrims follow the guides so 10 days would give you a day or so of slack. I followed this approach once ie going home via Barcelona. You would probably want to stay in Barcelona for 1 night unless you leave Logrono very early and get to Barcelona. Check Hostal World for cheap hostals and hotels.
I would recommend that you take it easy to begin with from St Jean Pied De Porte, ideally walk to Orrison on Day 1; getting up early to watch your fellow pilgrims file past as you sit at the front of the Church in SJPP. One of the nicest things to do on the Camino is to watch the Camino World as seen by people on the side eg like the local farmers. Orrison is a 10 KM walk with a 500m climb so challenging but amazing walk. Book yourself into Orrison in advance http://www.refuge-orisson.com/en/ (assuming it is open at that time and that the Napoleon Route is open to pilgrims (could be closed due to snow and bad weather). Buy food in SJPP as there are no shops until past Ronconvalles (there are restaurants in Ronconvalles and Orrison) On day 2 walk over the Pyrennes (ideally in a small group as it is a dangerous section of the Camion in terms of weather conditions. Bring some food so that you can have a picnic in the mountains before you head down to Ronconvalles. Most pilgrims rush to Ronconvalles and in the process do not get to savour the only bit of the Camino Francaise in France and the only truly mountainous bit until you get Galacia. It is also the place where people pick up injuries as this is the toughest stage and the pilgrim is at their most unfit stage ..... so take it easy, play it safe and savour like you would your favourite desert.
Hi, it's just that flights to Bilbao are much more expensive! I'm trying to weigh up travel times and costs and just can't work out which route is best!Claire,
Did I miss it, or has no one mentioned Bilbao airport? It's a handy-enough bus ride of about 90min from Logrono to Bilbao for flights to London Heathrow (I think) and Stansted (probably Easyjet). That might do if you 'aim' for Logrono during your springtime Camino-section.
Buen Camino(s) and many happy returns!
In July it will be "open."Hi there,
How do you know if Napoleon route is going to be closed? Is this where I will be walking? Is there an alternative for me if the Napoleon is closed?!
But I am worried about going at the beginning of April?In July it will be "open."
1) Easyjet only offer flights from London Gatwick to Biarritz from the summer and they are the only cheap airline heading there. I would prefer not to go from stansted but might have to. Is there another airport from which I can travel easily to SJPP?
3) when I come back in the summer, my flight is to Biarritz. Will I be able to get bus or something to pick up where I left off?
Does anyone know how much trains cost? For example, from Biarritz to SJPP? I can't seem to find prices online... x
One other thing - you mention not doing the Napoleon part alone, will there definitely be other people to do it with?! surely yes?! Having a momentary panic that I'm going to get injured and be alone!
But I am worried about going at the beginning of April?
Hi there,
How do you know if Napoleon route is going to be closed? Is this where I will be walking? I've done so much research but I'm not sure about where exactly this is? Is there an alternative for me if the Napoleon is closed?! x
Thank you all.
The flights that I am looking at are as follows. I am trying to access bus timetables online, but they don't seem to want to work. Are buses quite regular at the times that am going?
I'm thinking of flying in to Biarritz at 15.55 on the Sat. Would I be able to get to SJPP that evening somehow? This is for Sat 5th April.
Then I am thinking of flying from Barcelona to London on Tuesday 15th April. The flight leaves at 10.50. As a result, will I be able to travel there the evening before? The alternative is to leave from another airport, but Bilboa is rather expensive to fly back to and Stansted is an age away!
With thanks, I'm grateful like you wouldn't believe!
Claire x
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