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I am planning my trip and will be flying in from the states. I am curious about flying into either Madrid or Paris. I plan to start a SJPP and my spanish is pretty decent, but my french is non existent. Thanks in advance for any help on this subject you might offer.
I am also planning my trip for next year and flying in from the states. I, too, have spent a considerable amount of time considering how best to arrive and what would be the most convenient route. For me, however, I've decided that the most convenient and most meaningful way to arrive are two different things. It seems as though arriving to SJPP via Madrid would require a significant potential for travelling through areas of the Camino that will be crossed through later on the actual Camino walk. For me, this is a big deal as I do not wish to do so. However, travelling into Paris allows to take a fairly easy train to Bayonne and then another to SJPP...not passing through any areas of the Camino. For some reason, I like the idea of entering Spain for the first time on the Camino itself. Also, I lived in Madrid for a year when I was younger (what an incredible experience that was) and would feel sad to stop over just for a day on my way to SJPP...I would like to save my revisit for the end as a grand finale ...but that's just my own personal experience. It seems like the journey to the start of the Camino is a journey in and of itself that depends on personal preference. Buen Camino!
David(s) I too am planning for the Walk for next year and have been pondering the beginning of the trip....I have a similar mindset as the 2nd David, not traveling over the same ground. The logistics of Paris to SJPP seem to be easier and straight forward...I don't want to spend too much time and/or complications just getting there... Airfare to either Madrid or Paris isn't much different and the ground transport equals out...so it's a matter of preference.
One option if you fly to Madrid is to take a train or bus to San Sebastián. From there, you take a train to Hendaye, transfer to another to Bayonne, and then another to SJPP.
if you are flying into Paris yoiu could look to fly to Biarritz [one hour 15 mins] rather than take the train. this is what i will be doing in september as after a 24 hour flight to paris another quick flight seems a better option than five plus hours on a train,,,,
I am am doing my first camino in June. I, too, speak Spanish-but no French. My plan is to arrive in Madrid at about 8:30 AM. I'll catch a mid-morning train to Pamplona and an early-evening bus to Roncesvalles. From there I'll take (share?) a taxi to SJPdP. I've been assured that all of this is quite do-able.
So we'll see, eh? I'll post any clarifying failures on about June 20th.
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.
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If journeying too or from the Camino on Spanish trains...
Hi there i'm a first time Camino walker - planning for Sept this year. I have a question if anyone can help. We are going with friends but we can't fly out at the same time so we are going to fly...
Warning for those flying in to France -- there's a strike tomorrow April 25th, which likely will NOT prevent flying in or out of the country on international flights, but is very likely to affect...
Hi everyone!
I would greatly appreciate your suggestions for the best summer beaches in Galicia that are easily accessible by car or bus from Santiago de Compostela.
Thanks!
A friend due to walk from Sarria to SdC next month is now injured still wants to go along with group walking. Any advice on transport options for him to go from Stage to Stage. All options...
Profile maps of all 34 stages of the Camino Frances
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