Flying into Bilbao and other questions

[bbz180]

I will be flying out from Cologne, Germany to Bilbao on the 22nd of September.

Does anyone know the best method of travel to SJPP?

Also, will the weather drastically get colder in October on the camino? Trying to pack least as possible but since this is my first trip to Europe I have no idea what the weather in Spain is like during the fall.

Lastly, has anyone used their iPhone during the camino? Just wondering if I should even bother to take my phone.

I have been reading this forum for about 2 years now and I've finally worked up my nerves experience the camino myself. Counting down the days until my first step...

 

[chinacat]

Re: Flying into Bilbao

Hi

I'm afraid I know nothing about the travel in your question, but I just wanted to say Hi !

We'll be on the Camino a few days ahead of you - walking slowly, so you'll probably catch us up.

Buen Camino
chinacat

 

[sillydoll]

Re: Flying into Bilbao

Here begins the Journey
Now begins the Day.
With one step upon the Road
Your soul is on its Way.
JS Selfe

You can get a bus from Bilbao to Biarritz and then a train to St Jean. The bus Bilbao - Biarritz goes twice a day (at 7.30 and at 1300 hours) and takes 2.45 hours - costs 17.85 euro. The company is PESA http://www.pesa.net.
There are also many ALSA buses a day to IRUN so if those times don't suit you, you could get to Biarritz from Irun.

The weather is unpredictable in October. It also depends on how late into October you'll be walking. Last year people reported a few rainy, windy and cold days with early snows at Roncevalles and O Cebreiro in late October.

30th October 2008 - news video of wintery weather across Spain:
http://www.rtve.es/mediateca/videos/200 ... as&s2=&s3=

Remember that some albergues close at the end of September.

Have a wonderful walk!

 

[beachamorgan]

Re: Flying into Bilbao

...Also, will the weather drastically get colder in October on the camino? Trying to pack least as possible but since this is my first trip to Europe I have no idea what the weather in Spain is like during the fall.

Lastly, has anyone used their iPhone during the camino? Just wondering if I should even bother to take my phone.

I have been reading this forum for about 2 years now and I've finally worked up my nerves experience the camino myself. Counting down the days until my first step...

We were on the Camino last year during that odd snow storm. The weather was very nice the week leading up to that day. It did get colder the day before with rain. We were not prepared for snow or real cold but I bought a warm, waterproof hat and we walked on until the next day when we quit to start our journey home. Don't worry, you can always layer your clothes for warmth and like Sil has said before on this forum you can always buy some pantyhose for underwarmth.

I work with a group of IPhone users and they all say that they work everywhere but I don't know anyone who has gone to Spain and used in on the Camino. You could do a post separately on the forum and see what others say.

Congrats for getting up the nerve. It's a little scary thinking about it but once on the trail the people you meet will remove any trace of apprehensiveness you thought you had. The journey is truly the reward. Perhaps we will see you. We plan to be starting where we left off last fall in Estella on Sunday Sept 27th.

Happy Trails and Buen Camino,
Nicole (& Rob)

 

[bbz180]

Re: Flying into Bilbao

Just counting down the days...

Thank you all for posting your replies. It has been tremendously helpful preparing for my camino. 8 more days until my journey begins. Thank you sillydoll for the links for the bus travel from Bilbao. I think it is more stressful packing for this trip than the actual journey...haha

 

[isabelle304]

Re: Flying into Bilbao

Also, will the weather drastically get colder in October on the camino? Trying to pack least as possible but since this is my first trip to Europe I have no idea what the weather in Spain is like during the fall.

I did the Camino in October last year - setting off on 3rd October from SJPP for Santiago and then on to Fisterra. Till Burgos, I found it hot - I wore t-shirt and sunglasses during the day - other pilgrims around me were happy in shorts (I don't wear shorts as I don't have the legs for them!). After Burgos it was a different story - it was 18 October by then and out came my fleece and a thin windbreaker. At night we started to favour the albergues that had heating over those that did not. When I reached Leon, I had to buy a proper outdoors jacket with fleece lining. In Astorga I bought a hat and gloves - just in time for the snow that fell on 1 November.

Funnily enough, when I later did the Santiago to Fisterra leg, I was lucky as we had freaky nice weather that week (15-18 Nov), and I was able once again to wear just a vest and a t-shirt during the day :mrgreen:

Weather is difficult to predict - I think the above demonstrates you have to be prepared for a whole range of temperatures while you are there - it's been said many times on this forum before: just make sure you take lots of layers with you.

Good luck!