How to get from Biarritz Airport to St Jean at 19.30 at night??

[Annica Ullhag]

Hi!
Doing my first walk ever and I will arraive at Biarritz Airport 19.30 26th June. The last train is gone and Express Bourricot didnt have availibility to take me. Is there any other way, except for shuttle at 150 euros? I would really like to be in St Jean tuesday morning to get an early start
Thankful for all tips you gcn give me!!
Annica from Sweden

 

[mspath]

You might take the airport bus to Bayonne Gare. Spend the night in Bayonne and take the early TER line 62 train at 07:45 to SJPdP. You will arrive before 09:00.

In Bayonne the Hotel Monte Carlo is a simple inexpensive choice located opposite the rr station. Nice cafe and resto also. Here is their web .

Bon voyage and Buen camino!

 

[SYates]

I would take out the stress of your first day and go to Bayonne, spend the night there, enjoy some good French food and take the first bus/train in the morning. Buen Camino, SY

 

[Annica Ullhag]

Thank you so much! I was actually thinking of staying in Bayonne, but then I read It would take 8 hours from St Jean to Roncesvalles... I am just a little bit concerned that after finding the office to get the pilgrimpass and getting on the way, it will be to late in the day... Is it hard to get a bed at Roncevalles later in the evening??

 

[KinkyOne]

And if you think coming to SJPdP at 9am is too late for the whole leg to Roncesvalles (especially on Napoleon route), then take a couple of hours for sight-seeing, start a bit later, cut the first stage in two (or even walk past Roncesvalles the second day) and spend the first night either at Valcarlos albergue or in two options on Napoleon route.

Buen Camino!

PS (There are also other pilgrim friendly private accommodation options in the center of Bayonne.)

EDIT: Obviously I offered the answer before I even knew the question

 

[Annica Ullhag]

I was planning/hoping to get to Logrono in 6 days, so that would mean average 26 km or so per day. But, if not going all the way to Roncesvalles the first day, where would you suggest to head for?

 

[SYates]

If you put yourself under so much time pressure from the beginning you run the risk setting yourself up for failure/injury. There are plenty of options after staying in Bayonne one night:

Instead of the CF, walk the Camino Baztan, see https://www.gronze.com/camino-baztan far, far less busy.
Travel in the morning to SJPdP, visit the pilgrim office and continue to Huntto or Orrisson (in both reservations are needed!)
As above, but walk the Valcarlos route to Valcarlos (reservation advisable).

Buen Camino, SY

 

[KinkyOne]

I was planning/hoping to get to Logrono in 6 days, so that would mean average 26 km or so per day. But, if not going all the way to Roncesvalles the first day, where would you suggest to head for?

Huh, it depends on many things. How much would you like/can walk in a day? Preferring stay in albergues or pensiones/casas rurales? Etc...
I personally would recommend this 8 days itinerary:
Day 1: overnight stay in Bayonne,
Day 2: Valcarlos (11,5km)
Day 3: Bizkarreta (23,5, only Pension & Casas Rurales)
Day 4: Zabaldika (22,5, albergue)
Day 5: Uterga (24,6, albergue)
Day 6: Villatuerta (24,9, albergue)
Day 7: Los Arcos (25,1, albergue)
Day 8: Logrono (27,6, albergue)

Otherwise if you start walking on Day 2 from SJPdP and need/want to be in Logrono 5 days later that would mean 31,5km/day. And that's via Valcarlos for the first day!

 

[Karl Oz]

I must admit was in the same situation 3 years ago. I missed my flight from Brussels and was obliged to train it to Bayonne, and arrived too late to get the last train from there up to St Jean. I got the early train next morning and almost immediately set-off over the Pyrenees. I consequently saw little of St Jean and absorbed little of it's atmosphere, which I still regret. I have no ready alternative for you though - is it possible to take a taxi, or is the cost prohibitive? One thing I can add is that I found it difficult to find a reasonable hotel in Bayonne at 8:00pm, so if you are going to stay I suggest making a reservation. I eventually found a very basic one for 50 Euros, so maybe the combined cost of hotel and train might approximate a taxi fare...

 

[Annica Ullhag]

It was very strange, but this was the only flight there was for me, so I have to roll with the cards I have But I do think I will take a taxi if no other solution suddenly appears
This time Im doing six days of walking, I have no other expectations than to walk, and the only hope I have is to find a bed each night (wherever). Im doing the rest from Logrono to the coast in the fall or next spring, and then I will take more time and not pressure myself. And then I know in what places I prefer to stay. But this time I really just want to walk
So, the plan is still to get to SJPdP in the evening! Where is the best place to book a room? Can I still book at a pilgrim-place if I dont get my pass until the next day? Or can I order it online beforehand??

 

[Annica Ullhag]

And BTW, thank you all for your input! Much appreciated!!!!!