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I agree with Falcon and everything he said. Especially about the part where people are very helpful...The bus from Madrid to Pamplona leaves from the T-4 terminal at the airport.
The bus from Pamplona to SJPdP leaves from the bus terminal where the Madrid bus arrives.
Few speak English, but they are accustomed to communicating with travelers who do not speak Spanish. They are generally quite helpful.
The bus from Madrid to Pamplona leaves from the T-4 terminal at the airport.
The bus from Pamplona to SJPdP leaves from the bus terminal where the Madrid bus arrives.
Few speak English, but they are accustomed to communicating with travelers who do not speak Spanish. They are generally quite helpful.
I agree with Falcon and everything he said. Especially about the part where people are very helpful...
My Spanish was not that good last year and I made it with no trouble. I'm 64. You can do it. Ed
I think we all suffer in some way that Life seems to get in the way. Ever since I made my flight reservations about three weeks ago it seems there is a point everyday that I think, "Geez, can I really get away again to do another Camino"? We just have to continue with our commitment and do it!! And of course losing the price of our plane tickets is also a driver.....EdThanks so much. I've been planning this for so long but life keeps getting in the way. I'm hoping this year for sure.
Here's what I did coming from Hawaii:
Flight to Paris (CDG)
Connect to Orly by Air France bus
Flight to Biarritz
Pick-up by Caroline (EXPRESS BOURRICOT, Tel: (+33) (0)6 61 96 04 76, Email: apcaroline@hotmail.com, website: www.expressbourricot.com)
Arrive SJPP.
Piece of cake.
No less expensive than the train and a whole lot easier. Give yourself 4 hours at least for the CDG-orly connection for customs and to catch the bus...and in case of traffic.
Others can help you regarding logistics far more than I can. I just want to say, "Congratulations," on leaving your air-conditioned buses and 5-star hotel friends to enjoy their thing, while you branch off to do yours. It sounds like you will find the Camino entirely to your liking. Buen Camino! I will be with you in spirit.Love this forum. It's been invaluable, but I would like to ask for input to help alleviate my biggest fear. I'm in my early 70's but healthy and in good shape. I walk and hike a lot (will train more for actual Camino) so I'm pretty sure I can walk the CF barring any unforeseen issues. I've traveled in Europe before but have always had a local language speaking guide. I'm traveling from So. California - alone - because though I have friends, their ideas of travel are air-conditioned buses and 5-star hotels, so this will be my first solo venture. Here is my fear... I know to get from here to there I can go via Paris or Madrid. I know no French or Spanish, though being from So. California, I believe I could pick up Spanish much easier. Once arriving at either airport, how difficult would be the language barrier to get from either airport to SJPdP via bus, train, cab, etc.? What are the methods of transportation to get from the airport to the other modes of transportation. i.e. train and/or bus station? How helpful are locals? I'm leaning towards Madrid at this point and wanting to travel in September this year. Pretty last minute which will add to airfare but this is what I'm shooting for. Sorry for long message... just wanted to get some background in as well.
I think we all suffer in some way that Life seems to get in the way. Ever since I made my flight reservations about three weeks ago it seems there is a point everyday that I think, "Geez, can I really get away again to do another Camino"? We just have to continue with our commitment and do it!! And of course losing the price of our plane tickets is also a driver.....Ed
Being that I have not had a great deal of higher education With no formal language. I went thru Paris to Barritz my issue was @ the Orly airport & my lack of French. I just had to be patient & be aware as they had me sit in the wrong gate. Once the planes arrived I knew the airline of the plane. I figured it out, but the lack of sleep was a killer. I would do it again & I still have the directions I wrote to find the bus to Orly out of CDG .Thanks, does sound easy though not necessarily a piece of cake for me. I'm still leaning towards Madrid.
Last summer I flew to Madrid from the US. Took the Alsa bus from T4 to Pamplona. Had pre-arranged through Corazon Puro (www.corazonpuro.es) for them to pick me up at the bus station and spend the night at their pensiones. They fed me dinner and breakfast and dropped me off about 100 meters from the pilgrim's office in St Jean.Thanks, does sound easy though not necessarily a piece of cake for me. I'm still leaning towards Madrid.
Hi Mark, I think that I will do the same thing as you did. I get into Madrid this year also and last year I had a connecting Iberia Flight to Pamplona then had Puro pick me up. This year it appears that Iberia does not have the approx 11:00 AM flight any longer to Pamplona which would allow me to get get there in time to be picked up. Looks like the bus for me...Last summer I flew to Madrid from the US. Took the Alsa bus from T4 to Pamplona. Had pre-arranged through Corazon Puro (www.corazonpuro.es) for them to pick me up at the bus station and spend the night at their pensiones. They fed me dinner and breakfast and dropped me off about 100 meters from the pilgrim's office in St Jean.
cheers
Once arriving at either airport, how difficult would be the language barrier to get from either airport to SJPdP via bus, train, cab, etc.? What are the methods of transportation to get from the airport to the other modes of transportation. i.e. train and/or bus station?
Being that I have not had a great deal of higher education With no formal language. I went thru Paris to Barritz my issue was @ the Orly airport & my lack of French. I just had to be patient & be aware as they had me sit in the wrong gate. Once the planes arrived I knew the airline of the plane. I figured it out, but the lack of sleep was a killer. I would do it again & I still have the directions I wrote to find the bus to Orly out of CDG .
Yet every person I spoke to who arrived in Madrid had no issues, my return flight was out of Madrid. The Spanish are very kind people.
Its like any airport anywhere. There are signs indicating with a symbol and an arrow. If you've done your map recce of the airports and know where to go to get your next bus or train and who the service providers are its not hard. Just make sure you have enough flex in your plan so that you don't end up in a situation where you missed the bus by 5 minutes and don't know if there is another one later.
Don't forget you need to get home. Its easier to get from Santiago to Madrid than from Santiago to Paris.
2000 Madrid
2001 This section discusses transportation services in Madrid.
Index 2000
2002 Madrid Airport
2003 Getting Around in Madrid
2004 Train Service Madrid
2005 Madrid Train Stations
2006 Madrid Airport to train station Puerta de Atocha
2007 Madrid Airport to train station Chamartin
2008 Bus Service Madrid
2009 Madrid Bus Stations
2010 Madrid Airport Access to Bus Station T4
2011 Madrid Airport to Bus Station Avendida de America
2012 Madrid Airport to Estacion Sur de Autobuses de Madrid
2013 Madrid Airport to Bus Station Moncloa
2050 Madrid to Roncesvalles and Saint Jean Pied de Port via Pamplona
2002 Madrid Airport
The airport in Madrid is called Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD). There are 4 terminals. T1, T2, and T3 are in one building while T4 is connected via shuttle. Terminal 4S is connected to Terminal 4 by Automatic People Mover (APM) and has a shuttle stop.
Madrid Airport (MAD)
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Madrid-Barajas/en/
2003 Getting around in Madrid
Connections to Madrid include subway (Metro), light rail transit (Cercanias), and bus (EMT).
Madrid Metro has stations at T1-T2-T3 and at T4. The trains run every 6 - 12 minutes.
Madrid Cercanias has a station at T4. The trains run every 30 minutes.
Empresa Municipal de Transportes (EMT) route 200 provides bus service from the airport T1-T2-T3 and airport T4 to Intercambiador de Avenida de America, a major urban bus, intercity bus and metro connection hub.
EMT Madrid Aeropuerto Express operates a bright yellow express bus every 13 -20 minutes from the airport T1-T2-T3 and airport T4 to Puerta de Atocha Renfe station.
Madrid Metro
http://www.metromadrid.es/en/index.html
Madrid Metro Map
http://www.metromadrid.es/export/sites/metro/comun/documentos/planos/Planomayo2013.pdf
Madrid Cercanias (operated by Renfe)
http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/cercanias/madrid/index.html
EMT Madrid provides Madrid transit bus services
http://www.emtmadrid.es/
EMT Madrid Aeropuerto Express
http://www.emtmadrid.es/lineaAeropuerto/index.html
2004 Train Service Madrid
Renfe operates Spain's national train network.
Renfe
http://www.renfe.com/index.html
2005 Madrid Train Stations
Madrid has two major Renfe train stations operated by adif; Puerta de Atocha and Chamartin.
Chamartin Renfe Station Madrid
http://www.adif.es/es_ES/infraestructuras/estaciones/17000/informacion_000295.shtml
Puerta de Atocha Renfe Station Madrid
http://www.adif.es/es_ES/infraestructuras/estaciones/60000/informacion_000070.shtml
2006 Madrid Airport to train station Puerta de Atocha
a. Puerta de Atocha is reached by Metro. Take line 8 from airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Nuevos Ministerios; line 10 to Tribunal; and, line 1 to Renfe Atocha.
b. Puerta de Atocha is reached by Renfe Cercanias direct from Madrid Airport T4
c. Puerta de Atocha is reached by EMT Madrid Aeropuerto Express bus direct from Madrid Airport T1-T2-T3 or T4.
2007 Madrid Airport to train station Chamartin
a. Chamartin is reached by Metro. Take line 8 from airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Nuevos Ministerios; and, line 10 to Chamartin.
b. Chamartin is reached by Renfe Cercanias direct from Madrid Airport T4.
2008 Bus Service Madrid
There are hundreds of bus companies in Spain. Usually the best tactic is to refer to bus station information at your destination for listings of bus service providers and schedules.
ALSA is a major bus carrier with service to Madrid.
http://www.alsa.es/en/
Avanza bus is a major bus carrier with service to Madrid.
http://www.avanzabus.com/web/default.aspx
2009 Madrid Bus Stations
There are several bus stations in Madrid. I've listed four. There likely are other stations that I'm not aware of at time of writing.
There is a bus station at Madrid Airport T4. See Transport and Access tabs.
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Madrid-Barajas/en/
Estacion Sur de Autobuses de Madrid
http://www.estacionautobusesmadrid.com/frameset.html
Intercambiador de Avenida de America
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercambiador_de_Avenida_de_América
Moncloa
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estación_de_Moncloa
2010 Madrid Airport Access to Bus Station T4
There is a bus station at T4 Barajas Airport. A shuttle connects T1-T2-T3 with T4.
2011 Madrid Airport to bus station Avenida de America
a. Intercambiador de Avenida de America (Madrid) is co-located with the Metro. Take line 8 from Barajas airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Colombia; and, line 9 to Avenida de America.
b. EMT route 200 provides bus service from the airport T1-T2-T3 and airport T4 to Intercambiador de Avenida de America
2012 Madrid Airport to Estacion Sur de Autobuses de Madrid
a. Estacion Sur de Autobuses de Madrid is located near the Méndez Álvaro Metro Station. Take line 8 from Barajas airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Colombia; line 9 to Avenida de America; and, line 6 to Méndez Álvaro. Exit the Metro to find the bus station.
b. Take Renfe Cercanias train from T4 Barajas airport to Méndez Álvaro.
2013 Madrid Airport to bus station Moncloa
Madrid Moncloa is co-located with the Metro. Take line 8 from Barajas airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Nuevo Ministerios; and, line 6 to Moncloa.
2050 Travel from Madrid to Roncesvalles and Saint Jean Pied de Port via Pamplona
2051 This section describes travel from Madrid to Roncesvalles and Saint Jean Pied de Port via Pamplona.
Index 2050
2052 Executive Summary
2053 Madrid to Pamplona by Train
2054 Madrid to Pamplona by Bus
2055 Pamplona
2056 Pamplona to Roncesvalles
2057 Pamplona to Saint Jean Pied de Port
2058 Saint Jean Pied de Port
2052 Executive Summary
There are at least 3 options for travel from Madrid to Pamplona.
a. Travel by plane from Madrid to Pamplona.
b. Travel by Renfe train from Madrid to Pamplona.
c. Travel by bus from Madrid to Pamplona.
The urban bus to Roncesvalles and the international bus to Saint Jean Pied de Port leave from the bus station in Pamplona.
Note that bus service from Pamplona to Saint Jean Pied de Port is seasonal. The alternative is to travel via Bayonne or hire a taxi.
2053 Madrid to Pamplona by train
The Renfe train route from Madrid to Pamplona goes via Zaragoza. Transfers may be required so check the itenerary.
Renfe
http://www.renfe.com/index.html
2054 Madrid to Pamplona by bus
ALSA operates buses to Pamplona from Barajas Airport T4, and Estacion (or Intercambiador) de Avenida de America. Note there is usually a transfer at Soria or Zaragoza.
ALSA
https://www.alsa.es/
2055 Pamplona
Pamplona Airport (PNA)
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Pamplona/en/Home.html
Estacion de Autobuses de Pamplona
http://estaciondeautobusesdepamplona.com/Inicio.aspx
Pamplona Renfe Station
http://www.adif.es/es_ES/infraestructuras/estaciones/80100/informacion_000111.shtml
2056 Pamplona to Roncesvalles
Urban bus service to Roncesvalles is provided by Autocares Artieda and departs from Estacion de Autobuses de Pamplona. Note it does not operate on Sundays.
Autocares Artieda
http://www.autocaresartieda.com/?scc=svpropios
CONDA provides ~seasonal~ bus service from Pamplona to Saint Jean Pied de Port. The bus makes a stop in Roncesvalles (even on Sundays).
2057 Pamplona to Saint Jean Pied de Port
CONDA (a subsidiary of ALSA) provides ~seasonal~ bus service from Pamplona to Saint Jean Pied de Port. The bus makes a stop in Roncesvalles and Valcarlos. The SJPdP bus stop is located near the junction of Route d'Uhart and Route d'Arneguy. Trip time is one hour 45 minutes. The bus then returns from SJPdP to Pamplona. The Conda site advises that you purchase the ticket from Pamplona to SJPdP separately from any other bus ticket.
Use the ALSA schedule international tab and click the 'query without date' button.
The bus service usually starts just prior to Easter and terminates at the end of autumn. Schedules are not usually updated more than one month in advance.
The bus from Pamplona to SJPdP ran daily 1000 13 June to 31 August 2014, 1430 1 June to 30 Sept 2014, and 1730 17 March to 30 September 2014. The schedule for the 1430 bus was extended first to 3 Nov 2014 and again to 7 Dec 2014.
ALSA
https://www.alsa.es/
Conda
http://www.conda.es/
2058 Saint Jean Pied de Port
Saint Jean Pied de Port
http://www.st-jean-pied-de-port.fr/default.aspx
The bus ride was comfortable and had one stop with change over to a different bus. Since I arrived early in Madrid and had plenty of time, I made my reservations online with Alsa. All I had to do was step out the terminal, show the driver my printed ticket and board the bus.Hi Mark, I think that I will do the same thing as you did. I get into Madrid this year also and last year I had a connecting Iberia Flight to Pamplona then had Puro pick me up. This year it appears that Iberia does not have the approx 11:00 AM flight any longer to Pamplona which would allow me to get get there in time to be picked up. Looks like the bus for me...
Sure do wish I could get a flight though as it would allow me to do some Pamplona touring ahead of when we hike back thru....
Ed
I do have to work out the timing issues but I don't think that should be too hard (hopefully). And yes, after my initial post I did think about the return flight and everything I've read said it was much easier to get to Madrid from Santiago than to Paris as you said. Thanks for the advice.
Since I can not understand or have a conversation in any language other than English & after visiting The UK they would most likely take issue with that. Yet I did take some private Spanish from a lady living in my home town. Best thing I did. She also explained some of the customs. I retained as much as I could Put as much as I could on my tablet Google search & I was off.That bit about sitting at the wrong gate is exactly what my "fear" is all about. Not only does Madrid still appeal to me, but it seems it would be much easier to get from Santiago back to Madrid for the flight home.
Hi, I understand you're most likely to arrive in Madrid. But for those who are reading this post, there's flight in Paris CDG to SJ via easyjet. Just need to find the terminal.Thanks, does sound easy though not necessarily a piece of cake for me. I'm still leaning towards Madrid.
Is SJ in your reply Saint Jean PDP?Hi, I understand you're most likely to arrive in Madrid. But for those who are reading this post, there's flight in Paris CDG to SJ via easyjet. Just need to find the terminal.
Yup. Was replying on mobile phone, so just used shorter abbreviation.Is SJ in your reply Saint Jean PDP?
A flight from Paris to St Jean Pied de Port? Are you sure? I was not aware that there was an airport servicing St Jean?Hi, I understand you're most likely to arrive in Madrid. But for those who are reading this post, there's flight in Paris CDG to SJ via easyjet. Just need to find the terminal.
The flight is from CdG/Paris to Biarritz. Next take bus from Biarritz airport to Bayonne railroad station and the train/bus to SJPdPA flight from Paris to St Jean Pied de Port? Are you sure? I was not aware that there was an airport servicing St Jean?
Most 50 & younger speak more english than I speak Spanish [...]
your lack of Spanish will be aided by the very smart young people in the place.
Yeah, I knew about that one, but it's not really a flight to St Jean. It's a flight to Biarritz. I wouldn't want any prospective pilgrims to get the misconception that it is.The flight is from CdG/Paris to Biarritz. Next take bus from Biarritz airport to Bayonne railroad station and the train/bus to SJPdP
I live in SoCal, Orange County. If you want to start a private conversation with me, I will be happy to help you. I am also in the same age range as you. I just returned from the CF less than two weeks ago.Love this forum. It's been invaluable, but I would like to ask for input to help alleviate my biggest fear. I'm in my early 70's but healthy and in good shape. I walk and hike a lot (will train more for actual Camino) so I'm pretty sure I can walk the CF barring any unforeseen issues. I've traveled in Europe before but have always had a local language speaking guide. I'm traveling from So. California - alone - because though I have friends, their ideas of travel are air-conditioned buses and 5-star hotels, so this will be my first solo venture. Here is my fear... I know to get from here to there I can go via Paris or Madrid. I know no French or Spanish, though being from So. California, I believe I could pick up Spanish much easier. Once arriving at either airport, how difficult would be the language barrier to get from either airport to SJPdP via bus, train, cab, etc.? What are the methods of transportation to get from the airport to the other modes of transportation. i.e. train and/or bus station? How helpful are locals? I'm leaning towards Madrid at this point and wanting to travel in September this year. Pretty last minute which will add to airfare but this is what I'm shooting for. Sorry for long message... just wanted to get some background in as well.
2100. Paris
b. Air France bus from CDG airport direct to Paris Orly airport. Allow 1:15 hours.
.
yes, you are right. my mistake. cdg goes to biarritz, not SJPdP.Yeah, I knew about that one, but it's not really a flight to St Jean. It's a flight to Biarritz. I wouldn't want any prospective pilgrims to get the misconception that it is.
You'll be fine without much spanish so long as you TRY when you get there. Simply not being the person who assumes everyone speaks Spanish (or Basque in the first stage) will go a long way.
That said, I'm a big believer that if you plan to go to ANY foreign language location you should learn, in advance, how to say hello, goodbye, thank you, sorry, and to count up from one to whatever the largest number in your party is (so if traveling alone, learn the number one, if traveling with two companions, learn the numbers one two and three)
My wife (a Spanish professor) is suggesting that learning how to say "this" and/or "that" is also useful. Because then you can point to anything you want and be understood.
I would add to those most necessary basic words in any language that for "toilet".
My son and I arrived at CDG on April 9, in the midst of an ATC strike. We had planned to fly easyJet to BIQ. That flight was cancelled. We found an SNCF train that left from the CDG terminal to BIQ a couple of hours later, arriving in BIQ at about the same time as the flight would have. The train is more expensive than the flight.Love this forum. It's been invaluable, but I would like to ask for input to help alleviate my biggest fear. I'm in my early 70's but healthy and in good shape. I walk and hike a lot (will train more for actual Camino) so I'm pretty sure I can walk the CF barring any unforeseen issues. I've traveled in Europe before but have always had a local language speaking guide. I'm traveling from So. California - alone - because though I have friends, their ideas of travel are air-conditioned buses and 5-star hotels, so this will be my first solo venture. Here is my fear... I know to get from here to there I can go via Paris or Madrid. I know no French or Spanish, though being from So. California, I believe I could pick up Spanish much easier. Once arriving at either airport, how difficult would be the language barrier to get from either airport to SJPdP via bus, train, cab, etc.? What are the methods of transportation to get from the airport to the other modes of transportation. i.e. train and/or bus station? How helpful are locals? I'm leaning towards Madrid at this point and wanting to travel in September this year. Pretty last minute which will add to airfare but this is what I'm shooting for. Sorry for long message... just wanted to get some background in as well.
My son and I arrived at CDG on April 9, in the midst of an ATC strike. We had planned to fly easyJet to BIQ. That flight was cancelled. We found an SNCF train that left from the CDG terminal to BIQ a couple of hours later, arriving in BIQ at about the same time as the flight would have. The train is more expensive than the flight.
I flew from LAX directly to CDG on AF flight. No connections en route and all that implies. I highly recommend that you look into this flight, since you live in SoCal.
I live in SoCal, Orange County. If you want to start a private conversation with me, I will be happy to help you. I am also in the same age range as you. I just returned from the CF less than two weeks ago.
No, and no reservations are taken. They are said to add a bus if the first one is full.do you have to buy your ticket ahead
Click on either the avatar photo or name of whomever you wish to converse with. This will bring up their basic info. If they allow conversations next tap the terms "start a conversation" which will be highlighted and then fill in the blanks to write and send your message.
No, and no reservations are taken. They are said to add a bus if the first one is full.
No, and no reservations are taken. They are said to add a bus if the first one is full.
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