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Hello All, this is my first post. My name is Dan, I live in Melbourne, Australia, & I will be walking an as yet undecided amount of Camino del Norte in March/April next year. I can squeeze 3 weeks in Europe, of which I'll be walking for up to 14 days. My plan is to walk from Irun to Santander/Santillana del Mar, or thereabouts, and from there travel to Lisbon, which is a city I've always wanted to spend time in.
So, my questions are, does anyone have experience in travelling from Australia to Irun, & can recommend where I should fly to? I had originally thought I would fly to Barcelona, spend a couple of days there, then travel by bus to Irun. But, if anyone has a better plan than that, please share.
Next, I have seen that there are reasonably cheap flights from Bilbao to Lisbon, but I'm concerned that the further I walk, the harder it might be to get back to Bilbao via bus. Any advice here would be greatly appreciated.
Buen Camino. I literally can't wait to get going, walking the Camino is a lifelong dream of mine. Unfortunately it will only be a small portion, but at this point it's either some or none.
Not sure where you are flying from but I flew from Perth with Qatar. Booked online direct with Qatar. Perth - Barcelona- ( Vueling shared code with Qatar ) to SAN Sebastian then returned from Santiago ( (Iberian shared with code Qatar) to Madrid -Perth. My point is that you can book the whole journey as one ticket with Qatar which means your luggage is checked all the way through, and if there are connection issues because of flight delays you are OK. Worth checking out before you use a travel agent. Buen Camino.Hello All, this is my first post. My name is Dan, I live in Melbourne, Australia, & I will be walking an as yet undecided amount of Camino del Norte in March/April next year. I can squeeze 3 weeks in Europe, of which I'll be walking for up to 14 days. My plan is to walk from Irun to Santander/Santillana del Mar, or thereabouts, and from there travel to Lisbon, which is a city I've always wanted to spend time in.
So, my questions are, does anyone have experience in travelling from Australia to Irun, & can recommend where I should fly to? I had originally thought I would fly to Barcelona, spend a couple of days there, then travel by bus to Irun. But, if anyone has a better plan than that, please share.
Next, I have seen that there are reasonably cheap flights from Bilbao to Lisbon, but I'm concerned that the further I walk, the harder it might be to get back to Bilbao via bus. Any advice here would be greatly appreciated.
Buen Camino. I literally can't wait to get going, walking the Camino is a lifelong dream of mine. Unfortunately it will only be a small portion, but at this point it's either some or none.
Reply from an Australian. If you fly into CDG in Paris, you can get a train to Hendaye on the border. Then a very short walk to the local train station where you can purchase a ticket to Irun. If you arrive early morning you can be in Irun late afternoon. The train ticket office at CDG is very helpful. I did this journey in April but continued to San Sebastián to start my Camino del Norte.
Thanks, sounds great. Best of luck, let me know if you will be posting photos anywhere, I'd love to see how you go!Hi from a Kiwi living in Melbourne - I am flying out in 8 weeks to start my Camino adventure - start walking 1st Sept from Irun - flying Singapore Airlines into Singapore (8 hrs) overnight - 1 day exploring - then on to Barcelona (13 hrs)- taking train next day directly to Irun (7hrs trip)-1st class -$75 Aus leaving Barcelona 7.30 am hope this helps-
Some really great ideas here, thanks for sharing.From another Aussie. I would suggest flying in to CDG and take the TGV from there directly to Hendaye and start walking. Its a short walk to Irun. If you plan to finish at Bilbao I would suggest catching the short train trip back to Hendaye ( roughly an hour or so as I recall) which is a regular service. Then take the 'Night Train To Lisbon' which I recall leaves around 1830. Its a rather magical experience, particularly if you have read the wonderful book of the same name. The train is a sleeper and with a small dining car and arrives at Lisbon at around 7am or thereabouts.
That's what I did after flying from Sydney - Singapore - Rome - Barcelona. Flight from Barcelona to Irun was 48€ and arrived at 8am. Left me time to get my credential and look around Irun before starting my camino the following day.Thanks all, much appreciated. I like the sound of flying from Barcelona to San Sebastian, & walking back to Irun. I'll see what my travel agent says when I book the flight in September. If he gets me a substantially cheaper flight to Paris, then i'll go from there.
There is a bus from Santander to Bilbao that takes 90 minutes. From there you can fly from Bilbao to Lisbon non stop. I just finished my second Camino two weeks ago and I am planning my third for next year. It is very similar to yours- Irún to Santander in a couple of weeks. The San Sebastián airport is actually closer to Irún. You can actually begin your Camino from the Airport, and even walk into Hendaye, France for your first stamp.Hello All, this is my first post. My name is Dan, I live in Melbourne, Australia, & I will be walking an as yet undecided amount of Camino del Norte in March/April next year. I can squeeze 3 weeks in Europe, of which I'll be walking for up to 14 days. My plan is to walk from Irun to Santander/Santillana del Mar, or thereabouts, and from there travel to Lisbon, which is a city I've always wanted to spend time in.
So, my questions are, does anyone have experience in travelling from Australia to Irun, & can recommend where I should fly to? I had originally thought I would fly to Barcelona, spend a couple of days there, then travel by bus to Irun. But, if anyone has a better plan than that, please share.
Next, I have seen that there are reasonably cheap flights from Bilbao to Lisbon, but I'm concerned that the further I walk, the harder it might be to get back to Bilbao via bus. Any advice here would be greatly appreciated.
Buen Camino. I literally can't wait to get going, walking the Camino is a lifelong dream of mine. Unfortunately it will only be a small portion, but at this point it's either some or none.
Hi Dan.
If you go to Iran, I STRONGLY recommend a visit to (or alternative overnight at) nearby Hondarribia - you can walk the first day of the del Norte from there to San Sebastian. Enjoy.
There is a bus from Santander to Bilbao that takes 90 minutes. From there you can fly from Bilbao to Lisbon non stop. I just finished my second Camino two weeks ago and I am planning my third for next year. It is very similar to yours- Irún to Santander in a couple of weeks. The San Sebastián airport is actually closer to Irún. You can actually begin your Camino from the Airport, and even walk into Hendaye, France for your first stamp.
I plan to fly into Madrid and out of Madrid, then take a one-way flight to San Sebastián and back to Madrid from Bilbao, bussing from Santander. Buen Camino!
Hi Dan,Hello All, this is my first post. My name is Dan, I live in Melbourne, Australia, & I will be walking an as yet undecided amount of Camino del Norte in March/April next year. I can squeeze 3 weeks in Europe, of which I'll be walking for up to 14 days. My plan is to walk from Irun to Santander/Santillana del Mar, or thereabouts, and from there travel to Lisbon, which is a city I've always wanted to spend time in.
So, my questions are, does anyone have experience in travelling from Australia to Irun, & can recommend where I should fly to? I had originally thought I would fly to Barcelona, spend a couple of days there, then travel by bus to Irun. But, if anyone has a better plan than that, please share.
Next, I have seen that there are reasonably cheap flights from Bilbao to Lisbon, but I'm concerned that the further I walk, the harder it might be to get back to Bilbao via bus. Any advice here would be greatly appreciated.
Buen Camino. I literally can't wait to get going, walking the Camino is a lifelong dream of mine. Unfortunately it will only be a small portion, but at this point it's either some or none.
Hi Jenny, did you stay in Hondarribia - accommodation looks very expensive there?Hi Dan.
If you go to Iran, I STRONGLY recommend a visit to (or alternative overnight at) nearby Hondarribia - you can walk the first day of the del Norte from there to San Sebastian. Enjoy.
Hi Dan,
I live in Brisbane and the del Norte will be my third camino. I fly into Madrid, from there I will train it to Irun. You might consider flying into Paris and train from here - it's just slightly longer.
It won't matter how far from Bilbao you are, you will find it easy to return there by bus.
I won't start my camino until September, meanwhile I will spend time in Canada, Mexico and Cuba!!! I leave in 18days!!!
Liz
Yes!!!! Fellow Aussie. This May I flew to Lisbon from London -explored the lovely city for two days, caught a bus to various towns till Oporto then walked the central Portugese way for two weeks to Santiago. I received a compestella, experienced two cultures, & it's easier and gentler than the Norte..... I've heard.Or ... Skip the Norte and walk the Camino Portugues coastal route.
Fly to Santiago de Compostela. Spend two weeks walking to Porto (CP Coastal route). Train to Lisbon.
Exactly! Both cities seem to be truly amazing. I wish i had 6 weeks to slowly do the entire trek, but I don't unfortunately. Irun - Santander is my plan, with an extra day in both San Sebastian & Bilbao.Hi Dan,
You will find me on Facebook at Elizabeth Drew, . I would stay in both those places for at least an extra day. Why the rush? I look forward to hearing from you.
Liz
Hi Dan, My husband and I did our first Camino last year on the Norte and walked the Portuguese from Lisbon this year (aged 64 & 70). We enjoyed Lisbon and Porto but the spectacular scenery on the Norte makes it well worth the more difficult terrain. We flew to Paris and then took the TGV to Hendaye & walked to Irun. Qatar also flies to Madrid and you can get the train from there directly to Irun. I am planning on taking a couple of girlfriends on the Norte next year and saw that Qatar flies from Perth to San Sebastián. The airport in San Sebastián is not far from the new Irun Pilgrims Hostel. May be worth investigating?Exactly! Both cities seem to be truly amazing. I wish i had 6 weeks to slowly do the entire trek, but I don't unfortunately. Irun - Santander is my plan, with an extra day in both San Sebastian & Bilbao.
I sent you a facebook request, can't wait to see your Camino pics!
Hi Jenny, did you stay in Hondarribia - accommodation looks very expensive there?
Just revisiting this thread ... to comment on your number of days.
Arriving in Irun being my Day 1, I arrived in Santander on day 14. I didn't have any rest days. Walking for up to 14 days, with additional days to explore the cities may be tight.
Hi Dan, My husband and I did our first Camino last year on the Norte and walked the Portuguese from Lisbon this year (aged 64 & 70). We enjoyed Lisbon and Porto but the spectacular scenery on the Norte makes it well worth the more difficult terrain. We flew to Paris and then took the TGV to Hendaye & walked to Irun. Qatar also flies to Madrid and you can get the train from there directly to Irun. I am planning on taking a couple of girlfriends on the Norte next year and saw that Qatar flies from Perth to San Sebastián. The airport in San Sebastián is not far from the new Irun Pilgrims Hostel. May be worth investigating?
Whichever you choose you will have a wonderful experience.
Below is my blog on both routes
Day thirty-two – Santiago de Compostela
Milladoiro to Santiago de Compostela - Wednesday 29 May 2019 - 8 kms Well this is the last day as we walk in to Santiago de Compostela. We have walked a total of 670 kilometres since leaving Lisbon on Sunday 28 April. Not as long or as hard as last year’s Camino del Norte and not as...watsonsgowalkabout.com.au
Request accepted. The photo of the dog confused me!Exactly! Both cities seem to be truly amazing. I wish i had 6 weeks to slowly do the entire trek, but I don't unfortunately. Irun - Santander is my plan, with an extra day in both San Sebastian & Bilbao.
I sent you a facebook request, can't wait to see your Camino pics!
That's Patsy, my border collie. Thanks!Request accepted. The photo of the dog confused me!
Lover of seafood, so better food?
I see these cons: I can say please, thank you, and order wine or a beer in Spanish. Understand it may be challenging for me on del Norte without Spanish.
I like walking alone and mostly did on the Frances, but I so enjoyed meeting people from all over the world at the end of the day.
like the option of throwing in a shorter day here and there. Are there enough albergue options to make that happen?
Affordability—consistently spent about 10€/night at private albergues. Is that doable on del Norte?
Oops a typo. I only turned 74!Walked the Del Norte in May/June this year. Found it tough at times but that was due to starting with injuries and wet days. As you will read, the walking after Bilbao becomes easier. Bilbao is worth two nights. Stayed in the old town. Plaza Nueva is lined with tapas bars. I tried to prove you could live on tapas whilst walking the Norte. Found I ate well. Being a small eater, I generally only took second course and sometimes postre. My request for some salad as well as patatas was always met. Everyone was so kind. Being a tortoise on the trail, I walked many short stages. Enjoyed the peace of solitary walking but met many wonderful people in the evenings. The evenings were long so stopping early gave me time to sightsee and unlike when I was on the Frances did not take a rest day after Bilbao. Take coastal paths when possible. (Check forum for some great info on coastal walking.) Locals told me to turn right in Miono instead of left along the road and through the tunnel as described in the guide book - a lovely cliff top walk all the way to Castro Urdiales. Stayed in a variety of accommodation (can give you my favourites if you pm). Booking ahead seems to be the norm these days. Only booked ahead when I thought there would be a bottle neck. Now I am home, my response to those who ask about the Camino del Norte is "it was a tough one but great" - and I turned 75 on this Camino - my fourth after getting hooked on the Camino Frances in 2016 followed by Portuguese from Porto and Ingles in 2017. With your fitness you should have no problems.
That’s awesome. I’m going backOops a typo. I only turned 74!
Hello All, this is my first post. My name is Dan, I live in Melbourne, Australia, & I will be walking an as yet undecided amount of Camino del Norte in March/April next year. I can squeeze 3 weeks in Europe, of which I'll be walking for up to 14 days. My plan is to walk from Irun to Santander/Santillana del Mar, or thereabouts, and from there travel to Lisbon, which is a city I've always wanted to spend time in.
So, my questions are, does anyone have experience in travelling from Australia to Irun, & can recommend where I should fly to? I had originally thought I would fly to Barcelona, spend a couple of days there, then travel by bus to Irun. But, if anyone has a better plan than that, please share.
Next, I have seen that there are reasonably cheap flights from Bilbao to Lisbon, but I'm concerned that the further I walk, the harder it might be to get back to Bilbao via bus. Any advice here would be greatly appreciated.
Buen Camino. I literally can't wait to get going, walking the Camino is a lifelong dream of mine. Unfortunately it will only be a small portion, but at this point it's either some or none.
Walked the Del Norte in May/June this year. Found it tough at times but that was due to starting with injuries and wet days. As you will read, the walking after Bilbao becomes easier. Bilbao is worth two nights. Stayed in the old town. Plaza Nueva is lined with tapas bars. I tried to prove you could live on tapas whilst walking the Norte. Found I ate well. Being a small eater, I generally only took second course and sometimes postre. My request for some salad as well as patatas was always met. Everyone was so kind. Being a tortoise on the trail, I walked many short stages. Enjoyed the peace of solitary walking but met many wonderful people in the evenings. The evenings were long so stopping early gave me time to sightsee and unlike when I was on the Frances did not take a rest day after Bilbao. Take coastal paths when possible. (Check forum for some great info on coastal walking.) Locals told me to turn right in Miono instead of left along the road and through the tunnel as described in the guide book - a lovely cliff top walk all the way to Castro Urdiales. Stayed in a variety of accommodation (can give you my favourites if you pm). Booking ahead seems to be the norm these days. Only booked ahead when I thought there would be a bottle neck. Now I am home, my response to those who ask about the Camino del Norte is "it was a tough one but great" - and I turned 75 on this Camino - my fourth after getting hooked on the Camino Frances in 2016 followed by Portuguese from Porto and Ingles in 2017. With your fitness you should have no problems.
That’s awesome. I’m going back back to do my 6th Camino (Norte) in October and will finish just before my 67th birthday. I’m taking you as my inspiration so should still have a few Caminos in me yet
Hi Dan. I’m also from Melbourne and will be doing the Norte again this October I’ve done the Primitivo and the Norte twice (this will be my third,) all starting at Irun. I always fly to Paris and take the train to Irun (one change over). A day or two in Paris and a lovely rail journey before starting the walk is perfect. You’ve picked a nice stretch, with SAN Sebastian, Bilbao and Santillana del Mar all great places. Warning, it can become addictiveHello All, this is my first post. My name is Dan, I live in Melbourne, Australia, & I will be walking an as yet undecided amount of Camino del Norte in March/April next year. I can squeeze 3 weeks in Europe, of which I'll be walking for up to 14 days. My plan is to walk from Irun to Santander/Santillana del Mar, or thereabouts, and from there travel to Lisbon, which is a city I've always wanted to spend time in.
So, my questions are, does anyone have experience in travelling from Australia to Irun, & can recommend where I should fly to? I had originally thought I would fly to Barcelona, spend a couple of days there, then travel by bus to Irun. But, if anyone has a better plan than that, please share.
Next, I have seen that there are reasonably cheap flights from Bilbao to Lisbon, but I'm concerned that the further I walk, the harder it might be to get back to Bilbao via bus. Any advice here would be greatly appreciated.
Buen Camino. I literally can't wait to get going, walking the Camino is a lifelong dream of mine. Unfortunately it will only be a small portion, but at this point it's either some or none.
An option is to catch a High Speed AVE train after the walk from Madrid to Barcelona.It’s an amazing city. Enjoy the planning and the walkHI @Monty52 I haven't been yet, but am well aware that it is addictive! I do struggle to keep things under wraps, and i'm spending far too much of my time reading and/or researching. Can't wait.
I am thinking Paris would be my likely starting point, though I would love a small taste of Barcelona, having not been there before.
Best of luck for October! If it's your 3rd time on the Norte, then it must be pretty special!
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