Getting from Lourdes to Roncesvalles

[KiwiNomad06]

I have friends leaving New Zealand soon. They are keen to go to Lourdes, then to start their Camino from Roncesvalles. It looks like getting from Lourdes to Roncesvalles in one day by public transport seems awfully longwinded, despite the short distance. Does anyone have any experience of this transfer without going via Bayonne, or have any other suggestions?
Thanks!
Margaret

 

[sillydoll]

Maggie - its not such a bad day's travelling.
There is a direct train from Lourdes to Bayonne that takes 1h40 or 1h49 (depending on time of day) and costs between 10 and 20 euro.
From Bayonne to St Jean takes 1h13 and costs 8.40 euro.
They can either hitch a ride to Roncesvalles or get Caroline's taxi to take them.
I don't think that there is a quicker way.

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Yes sil, but on the info they've been able to get from here, the connections between the trains don't seem to work very well: they need to leave Lourdes before 6am. They won't quite be into early morning Camino mode at that point!
Margaret

 

[sillydoll]

I did a search on the SNCF website, entering 8am as a departure time.
There are trains from Lourdes to Bayonne via Pau at 07:45 - 11:16 - 14:55
And at 12:15 and 15:56 direct Lourdes to Bayonne that take 1hr49.

From Bayonne the times are 11:58 - 15:06 - 18:12

If they take the 12:15 direct train from Lourdes to Bayonne - arriving at 13:55 they can take the 15:06 to St Jean, arriving at 16:19.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The last train from Bayonne to St. Jean Pied de Port is at 18:12. Several trains from Lourdes in the early afternoon get to Bayonne in time to catch the last train.

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Thanks very much to both of you: I will pass the info on.
Margaret

 

[dutchpilgrim]

Why not by foot, as I did last october? It took me 8 days.
The way is very well waymarked, detailed information can be found on
http://www.aucoeurduchemin.org/spip/spi ... te&lang=fr
My days in France were very special.

Ultreya,
Carli Di Bortolo

 

[KiwiNomad06]

carli,
They have other plans in Europe besides walking the Camino, so their walking time is limited. It is a very long way from New Zealand to Europe, and people often try to fit in varied things into their time there.
Margaret