Busing city to city

[andylm65]

Hi, I am flying into Bilbao end of July. Have 2 nights booked, but have not decided among my Camino Route options. Wondering how easy it will be to get a bus to Irûn or perhaps a bus to Oviedo or Gijon. Is it necessary to reserve a seat? Choices are Vasco/Frances/Salvador, or Norte, or half Norte and Del Mar. any info regarding bus ing appreciated.

 

[Bradypus]

ALSA run buses from Bilbao Intermodal station in the centre of town to all three places. The buses can occasionally fill up - I would book online as soon as you have your date and time of arrival confirmed.

 

[tjz]

We took the ALSA bus back the other way last year from Gijon to Bilbao after finishing our two weeks on the Norte. It's kind of wistful to bus back in a couple of hours what you've taken days and weeks to walk.

If you're comfortable with the ALSA app (some parts in Spanish) and you've got a credit card or PayPal that you can plug in, it is very convenient and we usually purchase our bus tickets a couple days in advance just in case the bus fills up. Of the maybe 8 or 10 times we've taken the bus, maybe 2 or 3 of those were full, so probably good to buy a few days early.

If you're not comfortable with the app, you can book online too and print a paper ticket at home, just keep in mind payment is finicky and you may have to resort to PayPal.

 

[andylm65]

We took the ALSA bus back the other way last year from Gijon to Bilbao after finishing our two weeks on the Norte. It's kind of wistful to bus back in a couple of hours what you've taken days and weeks to walk.

If you're comfortable with the ALSA app (some parts in Spanish) and you've got a credit card or PayPal that you can plug in, it is very convenient and we usually purchase our bus tickets a couple days in advance just in case the bus fills up. Of the maybe 8 or 10 times we've taken the bus, maybe 2 or 3 of those were full, so probably good to buy a few days early.

If you're not comfortable with the app, you can book online too and print a paper ticket at home, just keep in mind payment is finicky and you may have to resort to PayPal.

Would you have a link for the ALSA app? Or is it available on the App Store for iPhone? I will look. Maybe my host can help me navigate.

 

[andylm65]

We took the ALSA bus back the other way last year from Gijon to Bilbao after finishing our two weeks on the Norte. It's kind of wistful to bus back in a couple of hours what you've taken days and weeks to walk.

If you're comfortable with the ALSA app (some parts in Spanish) and you've got a credit card or PayPal that you can plug in, it is very convenient and we usually purchase our bus tickets a couple days in advance just in case the bus fills up. Of the maybe 8 or 10 times we've taken the bus, maybe 2 or 3 of those were full, so probably good to buy a few days early.

If you're not comfortable with the app, you can book online too and print a paper ticket at home, just keep in mind payment is finicky and you may have to resort to PayPal.

I found and downloaded the Alsa app. Do I need to join or make an account? Do you know anything about the tarjeta dorado? I’m 69 so if there is a senior discount I’d probably use that too.

 

[tjz]

I found and downloaded the Alsa app. Do I need to join or make an account? Do you know anything about the tarjeta dorado? I’m 69 so if there is a senior discount I’d probably use that too.

Yes you'll need an account if you want to buy a ticket. You'll end up getting an e-ticket like on an airplane and just show that to the driver when boarding. The driver will have your name on his list, at least that's been my experience the last few times.

I'm eligible for the 60 Alsa Plus too but not bothered yet as I only take a bus a couple of times a year and I think (not sure) you have to be purchasing round trip tickets on certain days of the week. Here are the rules / instructions (translate to English if you need in your browser): https://www.alsa.es/ayuda/descuentos-mayores-60

 

[andylm65]

Yes you'll need an account if you want to buy a ticket. You'll end up getting an e-ticket like on an airplane and just show that to the driver when boarding. The driver will have your name on his list, at least that's been my experience the last few times.

I'm eligible for the 60 Alsa Plus too but not bothered yet as I only take a bus a couple of times a year and I think (not sure) you have to be purchasing round trip tickets on certain days of the week. Here are the rules / instructions (translate to English if you need in your browser): https://www.alsa.es/ayuda/descuentos-mayores-60

Thanks, I truly only anticipate one bus ride to my starting destination. Only other trip I’d be taking would be to Muxia if there was a few days to spend once I complete my itinerary. So perhaps I will pass on the 60 plus stuff. Thanks for all the information.

 

[BarbaraW]

You may wish to look at the narrow gauge railways along the North cost. The lines east of Bilbao towards Irun run by Euskotren (www.euskotren.eus) are quite fast. Those running eastwards are slower, and run by Renfe the national rail operator.

 

[ChrisMayou]

You may wish to look at the narrow gauge railways along the North cost. The lines east of Bilbao towards Irun run by Euskotren (www.euskotren.eus) are quite fast. Those running eastwards are slower, and run by Renfe the national rail operator.

Do you mean that Renfe runs the slower lines west of Bilbao?

 

[Bradypus]

Do you mean that Renfe runs the slower lines west of Bilbao?

Yes. They are now part of the RENFE Cercanias network. Euskotren manage the eastern part of the narrow gauge train system.

 

[CObluebird]

I just used Alsa for a couple of rides along the Norte. I found it easy to download and use the app and bought my tickets that way the night before. Then I used Google maps to find the correct bus stop. In a small town, it might just be a covered bench. I saw other pilgrims pay in cash when they got on the bus, but I was really happy to have the digital ticket. Doesn’t slow down the process (the buses are often late already), and it saved me when I had to run to make a bus connection. Once you get the hang of it, it’ll be a breeze to find a bus if and when you need one. You never know!