Connection times in Bayonne

[efdoucette]

Quick question for those with experience.

The train schedules for Bayonne say arrival from Paris at 6:29 pm and a departure to St Jean Pied de Port at 6:29 pm. Do they really stick to schedule or do they allow passengers to make that connection?

Thank you for any help. (Getting to St Jean PdP is not the easiest).

 

[Deleted member 3000]

French trains are deadly on-time. If it is not the same train and you have to change platforms, you will not be able to! I am surprised they don't match the arrival and departure times, but expect French trains to operate on schedule.

 

[jeff001]

It is a very small station - only a few platforms. The train to StJPdP will not leave until after the other train arrives.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

First, I do not know firsthand if the train to St. Jean waits for incoming trains. I do know that French trains are deadly on time. The station in Bayonne is medium size and has several platforms. The high speed TGV train will arrive at one platform; the train to St. Jean has its own track because it is a two-car regional train (usually), and will leave from another. I do not remember if changing platforms requires using an underground tunnel. Many stations in France have these tunnels, and if you are on the wrong platform, it takes a bit of time to get to another one, even in smaller stations.

For your peace of mind, I suggest that you contact the station or TGV. While it makes sense for the departing train to wait for one arriving at the same time, I have found that France is very rule oriented, and also they are quite proud that their trains run on time. If the schedule says 1829, I personally would expect the train to depart at that time unless the authorities told me otherwise. On the other hand, I don't see any trains from Paris arriving at 1829, so you might double check that arrival time. If you are on the 1708, you will have plenty of time.

 

[efdoucette]

Just to clarify, the train I'm looking at departs Paris CDG at 10:01, connects in Bordeaux and arrives Bayonne 18:29. I'm coming from Canada so getting the train at CDG is a bonus.

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I see that one. It is the 66611 from Bordeaux to St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port. It is the same train/route just passing through Bayonne, so if you have to switch trains in Bayonne, there will be time.

 

[dutchpilgrim]

Hi,

And if you've don't get your connection:
I've read good reports on Hotel Paris Madrid, out of the station and left across the parking lot. It is run by Patrick and Sylvie Sorbois. Nothing fancy but clean and friendly, they speak English and it is very close to the train station - less than 50 meters.

Ultreya,
Carli Di Bortolo.

 

[efdoucette]

Thanks everyone for your help,
Eric

 

[efdoucette]

I see that one. It is the 66611 from Bordeaux to St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port. It is the same train/route just passing through Bayonne, so if you have to switch trains in Bayonne, there will be time.

Well, I went to book my tickets tonight and found that they moved the departure time from Bayonne to St Jean PDP up to 18:11. So it now leaves 18 minutes before the train from Bordeaux arrives.

Doesn't make sense, why would they do that?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The train I previously saw (66611 from Bordeaux) has this schedule from my search:

16h35 BORDEAUX ST JEAN

18h29 > 20h22 via BAYONNE
TER 66611 Transport de vélo
Durée : 05h05

21h40 ST JEAN PIED DE PORT
TER 67309 Transport de vélo

 

[efdoucette]

Thanks for the help Falcon269.
This is the page I'm looking at that doesn't seem to list the TER67309 at 21h40.
http://www.raileurope.ca/canada/rail/po ... 0&noLock=1

Maybe as I'm looking at a .ca site I'm not seeing the whole picture?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Try a source website:

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/

 

[efdoucette]

Try a source website:

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/

Thanks again,
Looks like this trip TER 67309 is not available in Sept. Back to the drawing board.