Dublin to St. Jean - Best route?

[jcl-clonmel]

My plan is to fly into Ireland and arrive at the Dublin Airport on about noon on Wednesday, May 17th.
It looks like I will need an overnight in Dublin before catching Ryan Air to Barritz (BIQ) on Thursday, May 18th.
Then, take the bus to Bayonne, stay the night in Bayonne before catching the train to St. Jean Pied de Port on Friday, May 19th.

At least 2 problems:
It looks overly-complicated.
It has me walking out of St. Jean on either Saturday, May 20th or Sunday, May 21st (most likely).
I've heard that Saturdays & Sundays are the busiest days of the week to begin the Camino.

Any suggestions on alternative arrangements would be appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[Bradypus]

Is your flight from Dublin on 18 May the one arriving at 15:30? Unless you have a particular reason for staying overnight in Bayonne you could probably make it to Saint Jean Pied de Port by the 18:19 train that evening (arriving about 19:30). Or perhaps a little earlier if you travel direct from the airport with Express Bourricot.

 

[roamingpaddy]

As Brandypus states its quite doable. I did this journey to SJPP, It is a short bus ride from Birritz to Bayonne and then catch the train. If memory serves me right my plane from Dublin was around the same as yours and I got to SJPP around the time Brandypus ststed.

 

[jcl-clonmel]

Yes! The Ryan Air flight that arrives at BIQ at 15:30.
No, I don't have a reason for staying overnight in Bayonne.
Where/how do I catch the 18:19 train to St. Jean?

 

[Bradypus]

Yes! The Ryan Air flight that arrives at BIQ at 15:30.
No, I don't have a reason for staying overnight in Bayonne.
Where/how do I catch the 18:19 train to St. Jean?

Take a bus directly from Biarritz airport to the Bayonne railway station. There will almost certainly be others doing the same. Follow the rucksacks! The airport is very small and you should pass through immigration and customs in minutes.

Alternatively you can book a transfer direct from the airport with Express Bourricot. In May they should be fairly full and so quite cheap. Their price depends on the number booked to travel. If the vehicle is full it will only be a few euros more than the bus and train fare.

Accueil - Express Bourricot

www.expressbourricot.com

 

[trecile]

@Bradypus mentioned Express Bourricot - this will probably be the easiest option for you.

 

[A Kerryman]

My plan is to fly into Ireland and arrive at the Dublin Airport on about noon on Wednesday, May 17th.
It looks like I will need an overnight in Dublin before catching Ryan Air to Barritz (BIQ) on Thursday, May 18th.
Then, take the bus to Bayonne, stay the night in Bayonne before catching the train to St. Jean Pied de Port on Friday, May 19th.

At least 2 problems:
It looks overly-complicated.
It has me walking out of St. Jean on either Saturday, May 20th or Sunday, May 21st (most likely).
I've heard that Saturdays & Sundays are the busiest days of the week to begin the Camino.

Any suggestions on alternative arrangements would be appreciated!
Thanks!

The Express Bouricott company are excellent , I used them twice . You should arrive in Biarritz 12.30 ish and be in St Jean for 14.45 , book Orrison for that night and start walking from Pilgrims Office after first stamp and you will make Orrison with an hour to spare before Communal meal .
This means , you have a brilliant first night experience after an exciting day travelling
and it makes the climb to Roncevalles or further to next village a lot handier on day 2!. Enjoy your Camino . P

 

[SioCamino]

Just be conscious of Ryanairs luggage policies which may differ from the airline you are flying into Dublin with. To carry on a bag now you need to pay extra. (you could chance it but the measurements for a small carry on is more like a handbag, you could be lucky or unlucky in boarding)

 

[gailsweb]

My plan is to fly into Ireland and arrive at the Dublin Airport on about noon on Wednesday, May 17th.
It looks like I will need an overnight in Dublin before catching Ryan Air to Barritz (BIQ) on Thursday, May 18th.
Then, take the bus to Bayonne, stay the night in Bayonne before catching the train to St. Jean Pied de Port on Friday, May 19th.

At least 2 problems:
It looks overly-complicated.
It has me walking out of St. Jean on either Saturday, May 20th or Sunday, May 21st (most likely).
I've heard that Saturdays & Sundays are the busiest days of the week to begin the Camino.

Any suggestions on alternative arrangements would be appreciated!
Thanks!

I almost did the same in 2019 from Oz - but flew Dublin Paris Bayonne and stayed near airport at Dublin . I recall the Dublin airport required me to be there very very early to fly out - it’s a huge distance from checking in to boarding - now that was a long trip with lost luggage across continents! Nevertheless the camino and the Pyrenees are so worth any complications in my opinion buen camino! Ps If you have accommodation booked at st Jean orisson and/or roncesvalles then Saturday or Sunday shouldn’t be a problem - may be slightly a problem public transportation on weekends to st Jean

 

[jcl-clonmel]

Many thanks to all!
My travel plans are much more concise as I am taking your great advice.