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French trains strike

long trails

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances 2012
Finding information is not easy as to whether trains are running today to SJPdP from Bayonne. According to Google maps info they are not running due to strike action but the BBC suggests otherwise (see below).

Guess I will find out soon enough.

 
Lightfoot Guide to via Francigena
The 9th edition the Lightfoot Guide will let you complete the journey your way.
The calendar of potential strike days posted above shows what DATE strikes may occur but WHERE they will occur ie on which lines is not posted until the day before at 17:00 ; all lines will not be striking each day. Be sure to check on www. Oui.sncf for that info.
 
My first encounter with the annual French rail strikes occurred just prior to my first camino in 2012. I was quite nervous and apprehensive about the whole thing to begin with. I had my pre-purchased a TGV ticket from Bordeaux to Bayonne, and another rail ticket from there to SJPP, and arrived at the Bordeaux station early that morning to claim my seat and begin my journey. But could not find any mention of which platform to board my train on the big information board, and no one to ask. As the time for departure crept closer, I got more and more panicky about what to do. The ticket and information line snaked on forever, so I apologized with my best broken French and butted into the front of the line to the loud jeers and reprimands of all behind me! The clerk abruptly and dismissively informed me that there was no train. No train? I have a ticket, I pleaded! 'Pas de train ce matin', she confirmed, and tried to wave me away. But why? I protested in my bewilderment. 'Why?' She countered. "Because it is Tuesday!' I'm not sure I really understood that explanation, but it was my first step in taking what comes in stride.
 
Get a Spanish mobil number + data while on the Camino
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
They were on strike the day I travelled. There was a replacement bus, just took a little longer as we had to go to the intermediate stops for nobody to get on or off.
 
Having never tried BlaBlaCar, is it possible to arrange a lift from Paris to LePuy months in advance?
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
LakeMcD said:
Having never tried BlaBlaCar, is it possible to arrange a lift from Paris to LePuy months in advance?
Click to expand...
I'm heading to Le Puy from CDG end of May. I have my train ticket for a non-strike day, but I did try to check the Blablacar website and it didn't offer anything for two months in advance and for such a long (9 hr trip).
 
Yes, should probably rethink this as 9 hours is a long time to be in a car with someone.
 
LakeMcD said:
Yes, should probably rethink this as 9 hours is a long time to be in a car with someone.
Click to expand...
It's about 550km. , it will be a 7hr. drive .
You also can rent a car , it cost more but you are alone .
 
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So trains were running on the 5th but the service to St Jean was on a bus.

The bus was packed with pilgrims. It was the 2.45pm service.

Finding a bed in St Jean was not as easy as I expected.

I have seen more rain these last two days than the whole 33 days of my first CF! It's very cold too.
 
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