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Not quite - top of my head, I’d say Pamplona and Pau are closer. But as you have noticed, “close” doesn’t mean it’s cheap or easy to get to SJPdP. Past recommendations of Paris and Madrid are generally based on the fact that those airports are served by a variety of airlines and have multiple transit options for moving in the direction of your destination. So while you could fly into Bilbao, it’s usually not one of the recommendations due to the additional steps of trying to reach SJPdP without an established pilgrim infrastructure in place to make that easy.Actually Bilbao is the second airport closest to SJDP
That’s what I am finding as well. Thanks!Not quite - top of my head, I’d say Pamplona and Pau are closer. But as you have noticed, “close” doesn’t mean it’s cheap or easy to get to SJPdP. Past recommendations of Paris and Madrid are generally based on the fact that those airports are served by a variety of airlines and have multiple transit options for moving in the direction of your destination. So while you could fly into Bilbao, it’s usually not one of the recommendations due to the additional steps of trying to reach SJPdP without an established pilgrim infrastructure in place to make that easy.
Hi @Natique2Why don’t more people fly into Barritz or Bilbao - some of the prices to do this are leas than getting off at Paris or Madrid.
WoodyI didn't realize that Express Bourricot picks up from Bilbao. I thought that they only operated in France.
Not aware either but for the OP's benefit if they decide to fly into Biarritz; Express Bourricot's do not pick up after 18.00 ! (My flight was rescheduled when I contacted them to change pick up time i was given this info)
As others have pointed out, Express Bourricot will not pick you up at Bilbao airport. They are located in France and will drive you from SJPP to Bilbao in Spain but not the other way round. However, their price for the journey, around €300, is most likely a good indicator of what you will have to pay for a Spanish taxi from Bilbao to SJPP.I’m considering flying into Biarritz or Bilbao from the USA and taking Express Burricot from the airport to SJDP. Is this a good option? I rather not spend 8 hours on a train from Paris to get to Bayonne and then get on another train or bus to get to SJDP. Also, it looks like the train from Madrid to Pampalona is also very long. Why don’t more people fly into Barritz or Bilbao - some of the prices to do this are leas than getting off at Paris or Madrid.
Regular flight from Dublin to Biarritz by Ryanair is normally on time and hassle free. I have done this 7 times no problemsAs others have pointed out, Express Bourricot will not pick you up at Bilbao airport. They are located in France and will drive you from SJPP to Bilbao in Spain but not the other way round. However, their price for the journey, around €300, is most likely a good indicator of what you will have to pay for a Spanish taxi from Bilbao to SJPP.
When you travel from Paris Montparnasse to Bayonne you will be spending 4 hours on the train. These trains are fast.
Plenty of people fly to Biarritz, Bilbao and Bordeaux and then use train, bus or shared taxi service to get to their Camino starting point. Your question probably refers to travellers from the USA. These small airports have no direct flights from airports in the USA. They are served by a limited number of airlines. Choices for a flight from the USA with one stop and reasonable transit and total flying times may be limited: for example, there may be attractive flights from an US airport to Madrid but no direct connecting flights from Madrid to Biarritz. Flights from Frankfurt in Germany may be available only a few days per week. Flights from Dublin in Ireland may require a change from a US or code sharing airline to low budget Ryanair with the disadvantage this may bring (think of delays!); same for Paris, should you chose to continue on a flight to Biarritz on EasyJet. Changing planes at Heathrow in the UK may, for whatever reason, not be as attractive as changing planes in an EU/Schengen airport or simply look like too much hassle ...
I've flown to Bordeaux, Bilbao and Biarritz to get to the Camino but I live in Europe. These days, though, if I were to do it again, I'd travel to Bordeaux and Biarritz by train. Flying to Paris and then taking the high-speed train to Bayonne appears to be an attractive option for numerous pilgrim-travellers from the USA.
Since the dreaded “H” word has been mentioned, here’s my warning to all pilgrims traveling through Heathrow to the Camino: DON’T!!!Changing planes at Heathrow in the UK may, for whatever reason, not be as attractive as changing planes in an EU/Schengen airport
That was not the point I was trying to make.Regular flight from Dublin to Biarritz by Ryanair is normally on time and hassle free. I have done this 7 times no problems
I stand corrected then. I had assumed their licence does not allows this, at least not officially. They are subject to some peculiar rules as reservation by phone is not allowed and pilgrims cannot join when the taxi is already at the airport, see here:As it relates to Express Bourricot which is a very efficient and friendly service from Biarritz Airport: I checked with Maialen in regard to a shuttle service from Bilbao. Although they "offer" that service, she said that they rarely have travelers take advantage of it
Certainly to Biarritz , so easy to get to sjppI’m considering flying into Biarritz or Bilbao from the USA and taking Express Burricot from the airport to SJDP. Is this a good option? I rather not spend 8 hours on a train from Paris to get to Bayonne and then get on another train or bus to get to SJDP. Also, it looks like the train from Madrid to Pampalona is also very long. Why don’t more people fly into Barritz or Bilbao - some of the prices to do this are leas than getting off at Paris or Madrid.
There is a shuttle bus for 5E from airport to train stationTaxi from Biarritz to Bayonne. Inexpensive and fast. And then take the train from there to St Jean.
5 euros for the shuttle bus, and then how much for the train? Do you happen to know the train departure times?There is a shuttle bus for 5E from airport to train station
You can find train schedule and prices on the Renfe site5 euros for the shuttle bus, and then how much for the train? Do you happen to know the train departure times?
@trecile, I think that this time you overlooked the fact that Biarritz, Bayonne and Saint Jean Pied de Port are in FranceYou can find train schedule and prices on the Renfe site
Oops! You're right.@trecile, I think that this time you overlooked the fact that Biarritz and Saint Jean Pied de Port are in France
Trainline is also my "go to" when booking ahead. It is easy to understand and simple to use from the US; I most recently used it on my Via Francigena last October for three seamless bookings.HI Jack
I usually use Trainline for my bookings - mostly because I find the app easy to use. I chose a random date and these are the trains and prices from Bayonne to SJPP. It's a quick and enjoyable trip and the train will likely be mostly pilgrims with the occasional local traveller. Biarritz airport to Bayonne station is easy by bus (20 mins) or on foot - it's about 8 kms.
Express Bourricot also a good option.
The rules for VTC (Voiture de Tourisme avec Chauffeur) companies like Express Bourricot and others means that they are not allowed to complete a transfer when the entire journey takes place in a different country. The start or end of the journey must be in France. This EU-wide rule is called "Cabotage".I stand corrected then. I had assumed their licence does not allows this, at least not officially. They are subject to some peculiar rules as reservation by phone is not allowed and pilgrims cannot join when the taxi is already at the airport, see here:
If you meet other pilgrims who would like to join your group, this is possible IF AND ONLY IF:- we have places left- if we know it at least 15 min before arriving at the airport [information must be sent by email or sms] We are only allowed to take people who have a reservation, those who do not have a reservation will not be able to join the transport.
We are getting picked up in Bilbao by Express Bouricott in late May! Just took a couple of emails and it’s all worked out.I believe that Trecile is correct. Express Bourricot does not pick up from Bilbao.
Their service from Biarritz is great and their price is unbeatable assuming you get a full load of 8 people or close to that number.
I’m considering flying into Biarritz or Bilbao from the USA and taking Express Burricot from the airport to SJDP. Is this a good option? I rather not spend 8 hours on a train from Paris to get to Bayonne and then get on another train or bus to get to SJDP. Also, it looks like the train from Madrid to Pampalona is also very long. Why don’t more people fly into Barritz or Bilbao - some of the prices to do this are leas than getting off at Paris or Madrid.
It’s not 8 hours fro Paris to Bayone . It’s 4 hours in a very comfortable super fast train. Then you walk across the platform and get on the local train with other pilgrims and spend an enchanting hour on a mountain train passing by rushing streams and forests. Lands you right in St Jean. It’s a greener option tooI’m considering flying into Biarritz or Bilbao from the USA and taking Express Burricot from the airport to SJDP. Is this a good option? I rather not spend 8 hours on a train from Paris to get to Bayonne and then get on another train or bus to get to SJDP. Also, it looks like the train from Madrid to Pampalona is also very long. Why don’t more people fly into Barritz or Bilbao - some of the prices to do this are leas than getting off at Paris or Madrid.
What airline and from where in the US can you fly directly to Biarritz? Nothing comes up in my search. ?? Thanks.Hi @Natique2
From many parts of the USA you have many more options of European cities you can fly directly in to than some other travellers on this forum. From Australia, for example, Paris and Madrid are the closest cities for direct flights - and by direct I mean having already transited in Singapore or Hong Kong, Dubai etc.
Back to the fist part of your post, if you can fly directly to Biarritz from USA, that’s a great option for easy travel to SJPP. It’s easy to then get to Bayonne (by taxi, bus, train or on foot - it’s less than 10 kms) and the journey to SJPP is a little over an hour from there. Or pick up by Express Bourricot as mentioned in other posts.
Enjoy.
I kind of suspected that. Thanks for responding."What airline and from where in the US can you fly directly to Biarritz? Nothing comes up in my search. ?? Thanks."
There are no directs to BIQ from the USA!!
As mentioned, you won't find direct flights to Biarritz from the US. In 2018 I booked a flight using air miles to Biarritz.What airline and from where in the US can you fly directly to Biarritz? Nothing comes up in my search. ?? Thanks.
My response that you quoted, said ‘If’ you can fly directly to Biarritz into USA that’s a great option for easy travel to SJPP’. It was in reply to the OP’s headline question ‘Is it good to fly into Biarritz or Bilbao?’What airline and from where in the US can you fly directly to Biarritz? Nothing comes up in my search. ?? Thanks.
I flew into and out bilbao from the us this summer. Getting to sjpp required taking a couple of buses which were comfortable and inexpensive. Bilbao has the Guggenheim and several other art museums so it’s worth it for the cultural aspect .I’m considering flying into Biarritz or Bilbao from the USA and taking Express Burricot from the airport to SJDP. Is this a good option? I rather not spend 8 hours on a train from Paris to get to Bayonne and then get on another train or bus to get to SJDP. Also, it looks like the train from Madrid to Pampalona is also very long. Why don’t more people fly into Barritz or Bilbao - some of the prices to do this are leas than getting off at Paris or Madrid.
Hi Ann - a family member did this route by bus last Friday. They went from Bilbao to SS and then changed. We picked them up in Jean de Luz (before Bayonne). My natural inclination is to go with ALSA, only because I've used ALSA many times with no problems (i.e. cancellation/delays). But they used Flixbus and all went well. I don't know Pesa.Flying from Seville into Bilbao 10:15 am and wanting to get to Bayonne for an overnight before heading to SJPDP, traveling in late April.
Looks like options are a direct bus later in the day or a bus with a change in San Sebastian. Any recommendations for the journey, or for Flixbus vs. Alsa, Pesa, and any others?
You can fly to Dublin easily enough the cat the afternoon Ryanair flight to Biarritz. I have done this three time and was quick and easy"What airline and from where in the US can you fly directly to Biarritz? Nothing comes up in my search. ?? Thanks."
There are no directs to BIQ from the USA!!
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