Getting to SJPdP

[SRM]

To start in SJPdP where should I fly from the US. I want to visit southern Spain at the end . Should I go to Santiago and then get transportation to SJPdP ?

Stephen

 

[whariwharangi]

This map shows SJPdP and Santiago in relation to major airports used by most people to access the camino.

The big deal is getting to Europe. Within Europe, transportation links using discount airlines, trains, and buses are very good.

The closest airports to SJPdP are Biarritz France (BIQ) (with flights from London and Paris) and San Sebastian Spain (EAS) (with flights from Barcelona and Madrid).

Santiago airport Labacolla (SCQ) has flights to London, Paris, Madrid, and others.

You need to think about how to get there and how to get home.

400 Airports

401 Airports in Spain
402 Airports in France
403 Airports in Portugal
404 Airports in London UK

401 Airports in Spain

AENA manages airports in Spain
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/HomeAenaAeropuertos/en/Home.html

402 Airports in France

Biarritz Airport (BIQ)
http://en.biarritz.aeroport.fr/

Bordeaux Airport
http://www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en

Lyon Airport (LYS)
ttp://www.lyonaeroports.com/eng

Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY):
http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/en-gb/passagers/home/

Pau Airport
http://www.pau.aeroport.fr/

403 Airports in Portugal

ANA manages airports in Portugal
http://www.ana.pt/en-US/Pages/Homepage.aspx

404 Airports in London UK

London Heathrow (LHR)
http://www.heathrowairport.com/

London Gatwick (LGW)
http://www.gatwickairport.com/

London Stansted (STN)
http://www.stanstedairport.com/

London Luton (LTN)
http://www.london-luton.co.uk/

London City (LCY)
http://www.londoncityairport.com/

500 Trains

501 Trains in Spain
502 Trains in France
503 Trains in Portugal
504 Trains in UK

501 Trains in Spain

Schedules for Renfe Trains are updated mid June and mid December. Some trains were updated 23 May 2014 for 15 June ... only 3 weeks in advance.

Renfe
http://www.renfe.com/

Renfe Cercanius (light rail commuter services to major cities in Spain)
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/cercanias/index.html

Euskotren connects from Bilbao to Hendaye France
http://www.euskotren.es/

FEVE was a state-owned Spanish narrow gauge railway company. The company was absorbed by Renfe in 2012. The FEVE lines continue to operate as a separate entity with several short lines mainly in Northern Spain.

Renfe FEVE Trains
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/feve/index.html

FEVE
http://www.feve.es/es/

Renfe connects with SNCF at Irun/Hendaye and Port Bou/Cerbère where there is break of gauge.

SNCF and Renfe operate a high speed train that connects Paris Gare de Lyon direct to Barcelona Sants. This is a new service as of 15 December 2013.

Renfe connects with CP via trains from Vigo to Valenca.

502 Trains in France

SNCF is France's train system.

TGV trains provide high speed service across France. You must have a reserved seat on TGV trains (you can reserve at the station just prior to boarding).

SNCF TER is a regional train system. You can't reserve a seat on TER trains.

Intercites trains are non-high speed trains that cover areas without TGV service.

SNCF and Renfe operate a high speed train that connects Paris Gare de Lyon direct to Barcelona Sants. This is a new service as of 15 December 2013.

SNCF (France)
http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers

SNCF TER (France regional train service)
http://www.ter-sncf.com/

SNCF - train schedule and tickets:
http://www.voyages-sncf.com/billet-train/horaires

SNCF Railway Map France
http://www.bonjourlafrance.com/france-map/sncf-map-large.htm

SNCF TGV Map
http://www.bonjourlafrance.com/france-trains/tgv-map.htm

Eurostar train connects London St Pancras International with Paris Gare du Nord.
http://www.eurostar.com/

503 Trains in Portugal

Comboios de Portugal (urban, regional, national, and international train services)
http://www.cp.pt/cp/displayPage.do?vgnextoid=87cbd5abe2a74010VgnVCM1000007b01a8c0RCRD

CP operates overnight trains from Lisboa and Porto Portugal terminating in Madrid Spain and in Hendaye France.

CP operates Celta trains between Vigo Spain and Porto Portugal - Estaçao de Campanha.

504 Trains in UK

UK National Rail
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Eurostar train connects London St Pancras International with Paris Gare du Nord.
http://www.eurostar.com/

600 Train Stations

adif manages Renfe stations Spain
http://www.adif.es/es_ES/conoceradif/conoceradif.shtml

SNCF train stations France
http://www.gares-en-mouvement.com/fr/

700 Bus Companies

Bus companies tend to update their schedules only 30 days in advance. Some bus companies will not sell tickets more than 30 days in advance.

701 Spain Bus Companies
702 France Bus Companies
703 Portugal Bus Companies
704 UK Bus Companies

701 Spain Bus Companies

Agreda Automovil (Zaragosa)
http://www.agredasa.es/

Alosa (Huesca)
http://alosa.avanzabus.com/web/rutas__horarios_y_precios/lineas_regulares.html

ALSA (In particular Madrid and Barcelona to Pamplona, San Sebastian, Burgos and others. Pamplona to SJPdP (international). Good coverage over most of the Camino Frances)
http://www.alsa.es/en/

Autna (Vigo to Oporto)
http://www.autna.com/

Autobuses Jimenez - (Logroño)
http://www.autobusesjimenez.com/

Autocares Artieda (Pamplona to Roncesvalles)
http://www.autocaresartieda.com/?scc=svpropios

Avanza Grupo (Spain)
http://www.avanzabus.com/web/default.aspx

Bilman Bus (Cantabria, La Rioja, Navarra, Valencia, Murcia)
http://www.bilmanbus.es/

Conda ( Navarra Region including service Pamplona to SJPdP)
http://www.conda.es/index.php

Empresa Freire (Galacia)
http://www.empresafreire.com/html/castelan/seccion3a.php

Estebanez aja (Palencia to Carrion de los Condes)
http://estebanezaja.es/index.html

Express Bourricot (SJPdP private hire taxi and luggage transport)
http://www.expressbourricot.com/

La Estellesa (hub Estelle)
http://www.laestellesa.com/

Monbus (Galicia)
http://www.monbus.es/index2.htm

PESA (San Sebastian to Bayonne)
http://www.pesa.net/pesa/public_home/ctrl_home.php

Empresa Portomarin (phone number) Service Lugo - Sarria - Portomarin
http://www.paginasamarillas.es/fichas/ig/empresa-portomarin-s-a-_012278883_000000001.html

Vibasa (Vigo to Barcelona)
http://www.vibasa.com/

702 France Bus Companies

Transdev ATCRB (Hendaye to Bayonne)
http://www.transports-atcrb.com/

Transports64 (Aquitaine region including Pau, Bayonne, and SJPdP)
http://www.transports64.fr/transports-64?lang=fr

703 Portugal Bus Companies

Autna provides bus services between Vigo and Porto. Autna has schedule information connecting from Vigo to Santiago and Porto to Lisboa.

Autna
http://www.autna.com/es/

Eva Transporte (Algarve)
http://www.eva-bus.com/

Rede Expressos provides bus service all over Portugal.

Rede Expressos
http://www.rede-expressos.pt/

Renex provides bus service between Lisboa and Porto. Renex provides service to many locations in Portugal.

Renex
http://www.renex.pt/

Avanza Grupo provides bus service between Lisboa and Madrid Spain.

Avanza
http://www.avanzabus.com/web/default.aspx

704 UK Bus Companies

National Express
http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx

 

[MeganG22]

Hi Stephen!

This year I am starting in Pamplona so the traveling is a little easier.... However, in 2012, I flew from California to Dublin (which is where I booked my round trip flight from this time as well- the flights are always the cheapest) then I booked an interEurope flight on Aer Lingus to Bordeaux and then took a train to Bayonne and on to SJPdP.

After the Camino I spent time in Barcelona then Florence and Rome, from where I flew back to CA. So my first round trip flight I booked was a multicity on kayak.com- San Francisco to Dublin and Rome to San Francisco. I would recommend finding the cheap long haul flight options and then check out the inter Europe flights on Easyjet, Ryanair, Iberia, and Aer Lingus.

I would also recommend not making any flight plans for after Santiago yet, just wait until you are getting closer to the end of your Camino and know when you will actually be arriving in Santiago, and then look into making your plans to go south.

 

[Olivares]

I flew transatlantic into Barcelona, took the bus (4 hours) to Pamplona, and a shared van ride to SJPDP. I was at SJPDP by 5pm, which gave me plenty time (late May) to visit the Office of the Pilgrim to get the first stamp, walk around this gorgeous town, visit The Citadelle, and get water, fruits, and snacks for the next day. I don't think it could had been easier.

At the conclusion, from Santiago you can get a cheap flight to Malaga via Iberia, Vueling, Air Europa, etc...I met many people on the Camino who were scrambling with trying to change dates on already purchased flight tickets. May be a better idea to buy an open jaw, wait, and avoid change fees. Southern Spain is very well connected, specially since Madrid is a good hub for both trains and buses.

Buen Camino.