Hi. My name is Violet and I am starting to plan my first Camino for next year

[Violet]

First off-this forum is incredibly helpful!! I'm in the early planning stages for my first Camino (CF) in 2017. It will hopefully be the first of many Caminos and many ways. May-June or August-September. I'm wondering which city is best to fly in to? Preferable airline? I figure I better start with how to get there. I'll be flying in from the West Coast of the US. Many thanks.

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

Madrid, then train or bus to your start point

 

[SYates]

Welcome to this forum=virtual pilgrims albergue! http://www.rome2rio.com is a great site to check out travel options and to think outside the box. How close are you to Canada? Flights might be cheaper from there for you. Buen Camino, SY

 

[gerardcarey]

Paris is always a good idea if you decide on the Camino Frances.
Take a day or so to get over jet lag and have a wander around the sights.
Then take the 5hr TGV train down thru the lovely French country side to Bayonne from where the little rock n roll train will take you to St Jean Pied de Port.
Planning is great fun!
Regards
Gerard

 

[ktchnofdngr]

I've always just booked whatever was cheapest. Both times, that happened to be Madrid, but I looked at Paris, etc. as well. I would find less expensive, and then figure out how to get from there to your starting point.

Ruth

 

[Mike Savage]

Welcome Violet!

Last year when I walked the Francés from SJPdP I flew from SLC to Dallas to Madrid to Pamplona. I stayed at Corazón Puro, then the next morning they drove me to SJPdP. I flew home from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid to Chicago to SLC. I would absolutely do it this way again. This year I'm flying in to Lisbon because I will be walking the Portuguese route.

Good luck with your plans and Buen Camino!

Mike

 

[trecile]

Hi Violet,
I'm heading out mid August, flying from San Francisco.
Here is my plan:
Fly into Madrid, arrive in the evening, and spend two nights in Madrid to recover from the long flight and jet lag. I plan to bring a suitcase for my pre and post Camino days, and I will either stay with the friend of a friend or find a hotel to stay at where I can leave my suitcase while on the Camino.

Then take the train to Pamplona. I have made a reservation at Pension Corazon Puro, outside of Pamplona. The owner offers a service which includes pick up at the airport, train or bus station, then they will drive you to SJPDP in the morning. This way I don't have to try to coordinate train and bus schedules, plus I'll get the benefit of their knowledge of the Camino.
I also have made a reservation at Refuge Orisson to break up the first part of the walk over the Pyrenees.

I'm estimating that it will take me 5 weeks to reach Santiago. I will be in Spain for just about 7 weeks, so I have enough time to travel to and from Madrid, take a rest day here and there, continue my walk to Finesterre, etc.

 

[Jeff Johnston]

First off-this forum is incredibly helpful!! I'm in the early planning stages for my first Camino (CF) in 2017. It will hopefully be the first of many Caminos and many ways. May-June or August-September. I'm wondering which city is best to fly in to? Preferable airline? I figure I better start with how to get there. I'll be flying in from the West Coast of the US. Many thanks.

Violet, I am doing my first Camino in Sept/Oct of 2017. Have been busy reading here and elsewhere and already buying necessary items. I am flying to Madrid from Michigan and have not yet decided where I will begin the walk. Perhaps we shall bump into each other. Buen Camino

 

[Violet]

Hi Violet,
I'm heading out mid August, flying from San Francisco.
Here is my plan:
Fly into Madrid, arrive in the evening, and spend two nights in Madrid to recover from the long flight and jet lag. I plan to bring a suitcase for my pre and post Camino days, and I will either stay with the friend of a friend or find a hotel to stay at where I can leave my suitcase while on the Camino.

Then take the train to Pamplona. I have made a reservation at Pension Corazon Puro, outside of Pamplona. The owner offers a service which includes pick up at the airport, train or bus station, then they will drive you to SJPDP in the morning. This way I don't have to try to coordinate train and bus schedules, plus I'll get the benefit of their knowledge of the Camino.
I also have made a reservation at Refuge Orisson to break up the first part of the walk over the Pyrenees.

I'm estimating that it will take me 5 weeks to reach Santiago. I will be in Spain for just about 7 weeks, so I have enough time to travel to and from Madrid, take a rest day here and there, continue my walk to Finesterre, etc.

Buen Camino. Please let me know how it goes!!

 

[Violet]

Madrid, then train or bus to your start point

Thank you.

 

[Violet]

Violet, I am doing my first Camino in Sept/Oct of 2017. Have been busy reading here and elsewhere and already buying necessary items. I am flying to Madrid from Michigan and have not yet decided where I will begin the walk. Perhaps we shall bump into each other. Buen Camino

Perhaps. Buen Camino.

 

[Violet]

Hi Violet,
I'm heading out mid August, flying from San Francisco.
Here is my plan:
Fly into Madrid, arrive in the evening, and spend two nights in Madrid to recover from the long flight and jet lag. I plan to bring a suitcase for my pre and post Camino days, and I will either stay with the friend of a friend or find a hotel to stay at where I can leave my suitcase while on the Camino.

Then take the train to Pamplona. I have made a reservation at Pension Corazon Puro, outside of Pamplona. The owner offers a service which includes pick up at the airport, train or bus station, then they will drive you to SJPDP in the morning. This way I don't have to try to coordinate train and bus schedules, plus I'll get the benefit of their knowledge of the Camino.
I also have made a reservation at Refuge Orisson to break up the first part of the walk over the Pyrenees.

I'm estimating that it will take me 5 weeks to reach Santiago. I will be in Spain for just about 7 weeks, so I have enough time to travel to and from Madrid, take a rest day here and there, continue my walk to Finesterre, etc.

Please let me know how your plan works out. It's very helpful info. I'll be traveling from Reno. Buen Camino.

 

[Violet]

Welcome Violet!

Last year when I walked the Francés from SJPdP I flew from SLC to Dallas to Madrid to Pamplona. I stayed at Corazón Puro, then the next morning they drove me to SJPdP. I flew home from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid to Chicago to SLC. I would absolutely do it this way again. This year I'm flying in to Lisbon because I will be walking the Portuguese route.

Good luck with your plans and Buen Camino!

Mike

Thank you. It sounds like Pamplona is the end city before SJPdP. Very helpful. Buen Camino.

 

[Violet]

I've always just booked whatever was cheapest. Both times, that happened to be Madrid, but I looked at Paris, etc. as well. I would find less expensive, and then figure out how to get from there to your starting point.

Ruth

Thank you Ruth. Something to ponder!!

 

[Violet]

Paris is always a good idea if you decide on the Camino Frances.
Take a day or so to get over jet lag and have a wander around the sights.
Then take the 5hr TGV train down thru the lovely French country side to Bayonne from where the little rock n roll train will take you to St Jean Pied de Port.
Planning is great fun!
Regards
Gerard

Thank you Gerard. Another great idea. Very useful.

 

[Violet]

Welcome to this forum=virtual pilgrims albergue! http://www.rome2rio.com is a great site to check out travel options and to think outside the box. How close are you to Canada? Flights might be cheaper from there for you. Buen Camino, SY

Thank you SY! I'm in Reno, NV so I'm assuming Canada is too far. Unless it's Vancouver. Useful site!! I will investigate further.