Bus Bilbao to Pamplona and / or bus Madrid to Pamplona?

[Marilyn Canada]

Does anyone have experience taking the bus from Bilbao to Pamplona?

From a previous post by Johnnie Walker I have checked the web site for the bus company (http://www.laburundesa.com) but cannot determine if you have to change buses along the way....and more importantly if the buses operate on Sunday..I am looking at Sunday April 27th.

Also can someone give me the drill (I know I've read about how to do it.. here before..but can't seem to find it when I need to) for getting from Madrid airport to the bus that will get me to Pamplona..and ..the scheduled times/fare for Sunday April 27th ...after 3:30 pm...

My booked routing of flying to Pamplona from Madrid...went....well you know...when Spanair changed their schedule and now offer only one flight to Pamplona on April 27th...departing at 8:40pm...that is a little late for me after flying all day/night from Canada. So now I'm looking at these two options.

Thanks for all your help..not just with this question..but for all the excellent info that is posted on this site...can't wait to get my forum badge!

Marilyn
( 22 days and counting!!!)

 

[lckgj]

Hi Marilyn
I have taken the bus from Bilbao to Pamplona in the past and it is a very easy, comfortable trip of about 2 hours with no changes. The website you need is http://www.alsa.es. There are 4 buses on Sunday 27th April. It costs 12.45 euros one way.
From memory, from Madrid airport you take the metro to Avenida de las Americas and the buses leave from the huge bus station there to Pamplona. I think there is also a bus from the airport to the bus station but I have never used that.
I think the bus company used to be continentalauto but it has all been taken over by the same company so you will find the timetable on the Alsa site. The journey takes about 5 hours and costs 26.29 euros one way. There are 10 buses on the Sunday but some leave very early and some travel through the night.
Of the two I think the Bilbao journey is the more scenic and if you are travelling on to Roncesvalles you will have couple of hours to explore Pamplona between buses. Of course if you are tired after your long flight the Madrid option might give some opportunity to catch up on some sleep. Personally, I am always too frightened of missing something to close my eyes for long!
You can book seats in advance but I have always got a seat by just turning up. Sometimes the queues at the ticket booths can be quite long so give yourself plenty of time to buy a ticket.
Have a safe journey and Buen Camino
Laura

 

[sillydoll]

The bus Company is “La Burundesa” and the trip takes 2 hours. Price: ± 12 Euros

The timetable from Bilbao to Pamplona is approximately:
Monday to Thursday: 7:30 – 10:00 – 13:30 – 16:00 – 18:15 – 20:30
Friday: 7:30 – 10:00 – 13:30 – 15:30 – 16:00 – 18:15 – 20:30
Saturday: 7:30 – 10:00 – 13:30 – 16:00 – 18:15 – 20:30
Sunday: 8:30 – 11:45 – 16:00 – 17:30 – 20:00 – 21:00
Departures from Garellano Station.
The connection between Bilbao airport and the bus station (in the city centre) can be made by taxi. Approximate price: 20 Euros. Or by bus: Price: 1.15 euro. Departs every half hour from the airport (arrivals area) and from the bus station. It takes approximately 25 minutes.

 

[Marilyn Canada]

Thanks Laura and Sil for the detailed information....I think destiny has me staying with my flight from Madrid to Pamplona....the bus or Bilbao options would get me to Pamplona a bit earlier..(but still after the 6 pm bus)..but not early enough to warrant the expense of the changes or me trying to make connections from airport to bus ..in what likely will be a very jet lagged state...I will have a 5 hr layover in Madrid airport!

I do have a new question....I know the bus departs from Pamplona at 6 pm to arrive in Roncesvalles at 7:30 pm...in time for Pilgrims mass....but I've read that you must pre-order (by 6 pm) the supper that is served after mass......how does one arriving on the bus do that??

 

[sillydoll]

I am presuming that you mean for dinner at the La Posada? They always accommodate the pilgrims arriving by bus and have two sittings if it is busy. They will serve dinner before and after mass.
If you go to the bus station in Pamplona early enough you might find other pilgrims milling about who will be willing to share a taxi to Roncesvalles. It costs ± 42 euro.

 

[Javier Martin]

You can see the buses from Bilbao to Pamplona:

http://www.pamplona.net/VerPagina.asp?i ... 6&idioma=1

and from Madrid to Pamplona:

http://www.pamplona.net/VerPagina.asp?i ... 3&idioma=1

To choose the best for you.

Buen Camino,

Javier Martin
Madrid, Spain.

 

[daidai1008]

Very useful info, thanks so much. i will arrive Bilbao on Feb 5th 2013, from there i will try to get a bus to Pamplona where my boyfriend lives, your help will make my trip much easier, thanks again for every one.