For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Ah, I probably should have made clear that the first section from SJPP to Roncesvalles is probably the most important for us of all! Sorry for not making that obvious, and thank you for your reply. Getting to SJPP, ideally via Pamplona, is the issue. I've edited my initial post to reflect this now.I suggest start in Pamplona.
Stay overnight in Bilbao and get a bus early the next am to Pamplona and start walking - get your first Stamp at the Cathedral.
Just a thought. I'm sure you will get other suggestions.
Thank you! I think I'll either do this, or reschedule the flight. What is taxi availability like at night, from Bilbao airport? I presume that it'd be fairly simple to jump in a taxi to a hotel nearer to the bus station?If you are not getting into Bilbao until 10pm about your only option is to get into town and find a room. You had better make sure the shuttle bus runs that late from the airport. Even finding an inexpensive hotel there that late at night is going to be an issue. I have stay and several low cost places which are not far from the bus terminal. Hotel St Mames and Optimi Rooms. The second is a hostel with private sleeping pods. The only two accommodations at the airport are a Holiday Inn Express and Hotel New Bibao, I have stayed at both of them and they run shuttles from the airport, they are very popular for business and international travelers because so many flights originate at 6am from the airport.
This will give you the entire next day to get to SJPdP, there is a bus from Bilbao to San Sebastian and Bayonne, train from San Sebastian to Bayonne and of course the train from Bayonne to SJPdP, if yopu chose the break up the transport that way. It's not speedy but it's reliable and you will eventually get there. Check the schedules on Rome2Rio.
Taxis are normally waiting for planes to land, so probably not a problem. Hotel rooms are harder to come by.Thank you! I think I'll either do this, or reschedule the flight. What is taxi availability like at night, from Bilbao airport? I presume that it'd be fairly simple to jump in a taxi to a hotel nearer to the bus station?
Excellent! I've booked a place in Bilbao: AliciaZzz Bed And Breakfast. It's close to the station. We'll abandon the idea of going through Pamplona and instead head to Bayonne the next morning, then over to SJPP. As ever, you've been a brilliant help on the forum! Thank you!Taxis are normally waiting for planes to land, so probably not a problem. Hotel rooms are harder to come by.
Thanks for this. I've managed to rearrange things so it's all ok now. I did want to fly to either of the airports you suggested but the flights in total would be 4x the price of those to Bilbao, from my part of the UK, so it's just not feasible for us! It took me quite a long time to accept thisIf you are thinking of rescheduling the flight, consider flying to Bayonne/Biarritz airport instead of Bilbao. It is the most convenient for getting to SJPP.
Good for you. Keep in mind this B&B may be close to the train station but the bus terminal is probably about 2 miles away.Excellent! I've booked a place in Bilbao: AliciaZzz Bed And Breakfast. It's close to the station. We'll abandon the idea of going through Pamplona and instead head to Bayonne the next morning, then over to SJPP. As ever, you've been a brilliant help on the forum! Thank you!
Good for you. Keep in mind this B&B may be close to the train station but the bus terminal is probably about 2 miles away.
So I’ve now realised that the quickest option on Rome2Rio is with Ibericoach, in the middle of the night, and only three days per week.
Our first camino we spent the night in Bilbao, took the morning bus to Bayonne, then to SJPP. We stopped in Orisson, then Roncesvalles. I wouldn't miss Orisson for anything. Anyway we spent 2 nights in Pamplona when we got there.Hello all!
I’ve taken the sad decision to postpone our September Camino (stage 1 of the Camino Frances) to next May/early June. Last night, I changed my flights, but there’s now a problem because the new flights arrive in Bilbao at 10pm at night. I planned to stay in Pamplona on the first night then take the bus to SJPP the next day.
I have two appealing options, as far as I can tell: I can hire a car or taxi to get to Pamplona, and find accommodation there with a 24 hour reception desk; this presumes that car hire companies at the airport are still open late at night. Or I can change the flights again, lose a day from our Camino, and arrive at around 5pm the next day. Even then, though, I don’t have time to get to SJPP on the same day, but I could get to Pamplona more easily, and we are keen to take that route. I know that staying in Bilbao then taking the coastal route to Bayonne is an option (although for public transport it seems expensive?), but we loved the idea of an extra morning in Pamplona.
(Edit... the first section, from SJPP to Roncesvalles, is particularly important to us so we do want to begin the Camino in SJPP).
The accommodation I had booked in Pamplona is the only one that charges a cancellation fee. Their check-in closes at midnight and so far they have not responded to my enquiries.
Because of a medical condition, we are booking all of our rooms in advance, so all of the rescheduling is on hold until this first night/flight can be resolved.
What do you suggest?
You could also consider flying into Pau and taking the train/bus to SJPPIf you are thinking of rescheduling the flight, consider flying to Bayonne/Biarritz airport instead of Bilbao. It is the most convenient for getting to SJPP.
Also, if the Pamplona establishment charges a cancellation fee, maybe they will move your dates, without charge, to the third night after SJPP ( which is when you might arrive by foot). Perhaps worth a try!Excellent! I've booked a place in Bilbao: AliciaZzz Bed And Breakfast. It's close to the station. We'll abandon the idea of going through Pamplona and instead head to Bayonne the next morning, then over to SJPP. As ever, you've been a brilliant help on the forum! Thank you!
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?