London to Saint Jean Pied de Port (on a Sunday?)

[Keykers]

Hi there! I'm embarking on my first camino in early November, was hoping to leave London and get to St Jean on November 10. Unfortunately I didn't look at the days of the week and it turns out it's a Sunday. Is there fewer trains/buses on Sundays? I was hoping to start walking on November 11th (Monday).

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed just trying to get to St Jean. Biarritz looked like the easiest option, but I can't find a cheap flight on the day I need. I considered flying to Paris and getting a train to Bayonne, then St. Jean, but the sites I've found haven't been clear on schedules and booking. I couldn't even find St Jean as a destination on Rail Europe. Another alternative was flying into Bilbao and making my way back to France with buses and trains. Had the same schedule/booking confusion there too. Finally I could fly into Bordeaux and train to Bayonne, then St Jean. Once again though...I'm more confused after trying to book trains.

I'm tempted to book the flight to Bordeaux and see what my options are when I get there. Less stressful than trying to figure out timing online. Is there much of a price difference booking in advance vs. in person when I get there?

Obviously I'd like to keep it as cheap and simple as possible.

Also, will I have a problem finding somewhere to stay if I arrive in Saint Jean Pied de Port later in the evening?

Sorry for the rambling, I'm know it'll all work out in the end. Just a tad frustrated at the moment. Thanks for your help!

 

[mralisn]

No flights from Stansted to Biarritz?

Give me a moment. I'll check for you...

Dang. Ryan Air STN-BIQ, near 13:00, 36GP, but on the 9th.

 

[Tumbleweed]

Keykers, I know exactly how frustrated you feel. Getting to SJPdP is the hardest leg to plan. I'm not sure about your flight options, but I can tell you that yes, a bed will be available for you in St Jean.

I know this because I had to give up my bed at Le Esprit Chemin (forgive the spelling) because the train from Bayonne was running late. Therefore I wouldn't make the dinner, so I had to give up my bed. But I'm glad I did, what developed because of this was a true Camino experience.

I arrived to St Jean at 8:00pm, standing in line at the Pilgrims Office, I met what later would become lifetime friends. When we got into the office it was around 8:45pm. The people at the Pilgrims Office made phone calls for us that didn't have a bed. They were so helpful and funny. My bed was in the attic of an alburgue that was full. No kidding, the roof had two holes in it and there was the usual rubbish that you would see in an attic on one side and 4 mattresses on the other side of the room. Be careful not to let your foot fall through the missing floor board. The host told me that he normally saves this room for his children when they come to visit. I thought to myself, hmmmm, perhaps a little payback? I shared this space with a great guy I met from Ireland.

Only on the Camino can you feel totally safe with a strange man in a strange country in a strangers home.

Buen Camino, everything will be as it was meant to be.

 

[karenfromcali]

Hi there! I'm embarking on my first camino in early November, was hoping to leave London and get to St Jean on November 10. Unfortunately I didn't look at the days of the week and it turns out it's a Sunday. Is there fewer trains/buses on Sundays? I was hoping to start walking on November 11th (Monday).

Hi Keykers. Welcome to the forum. I tried different airport combinations but couldn't find anything that would work well on a Sunday as the service for most public transport is limited. The best I could find was an Easy Jet flight from Gatwick at 07.25 arriving in Toulouse at 10.10 am. The cost is 53.80 (GBP) but the only train leaving for SJPdP that day leaves at 10.36am and so it's too tight. If it absolutely has to be that Sunday you could try posting for a taxi share if there are any other pilgrims arriving through Toulouse that day. It is a good 4 1/2 hours away from SJPdP. Or try and find a bus schedule. Toulouse is not as direct an option as some of the other airports but as it is a large airport there is generally more frequent flights and the cost is less. If however you are able to leave on Saturday there are a lot more options available. I have had good success with edreams.com as they also include budget airlines in their quotes.
Buen Camino.

 

[whariwharangi]

I haven't checked the schedules but here are the links.

Biarritz Airport (BIQ) is the closest airport to SJPdP. If you plan to start at SJPdP, travel via BIQ is the least complicated way of access.

Your best bet is likely RyanAir from Stansted.

Catch the #14 bus from Biarritz (Anglet Airport) to Gare Bayonne. The SNCF TER 62 train to SJPdP leaves from Gare Bayonne.

Use the SNCF site for trains to Bayonne from places like Paris. Use the TER Acquitane site for the TER train to SJPdP. Note you can't reserve a seat on the TER train.

SNCF runs TER trains but they are two different systems; one is national, the other regional.

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

Airlines flying to BIQ
http://en.biarritz.aeroport.fr/destination/compagnie.html

Chronoplus, the local bus system.
http://www.chronoplus.eu/

Chronoplus Map
http://www.chronoplus.eu/ftp/Plan_reseau_chronoplus_jan2013.pdf

SNCF TER Acquitaine
http://www.ter-sncf.com/Regions/Aquitaine/fr/Default.aspx

Gare Bayonne
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gare_de_Bayonne

SNCF website
http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers

 

[whariwharangi]

You can get to SJPdP from Bilbao. It is more complicated than flying to BIQ.

Take bus from Bilbao airport to Bilbao bus station. See Bibao bus station for bus schedule. Bilbao bus station is in same location as station on the Euskotren (San Mames). A series of Euskotren commuter trains will get you to Hendaye in France (I think there are at least 3 transfers). From Hendaye take SNCF or TER trains to Bayonne (frequent service). From Bayonne take the TER train to SJPdP. A bit like swimming uphill. I met someone on the train to SJPdP who had come this way.

Euskotrens run at least once per hour. No reservations; its a commuter train.

Tranvia Bilbao from San Mames to Atxuri

Euskotren Atxuri to Amara

Euskotren Amara to Hendaia (Hendaye)

Bilbao Airport
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Bilbao/en/

Bilbao Bus Station
http://www.termibus.es/index.php?idi=es

EuskoTren
http://www.euskotren.es/

Wikipedia description of EuskoTren
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuskoTren

Wikipedia map for EuskoTren:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Mapa_euskotren.svg/2000px-Mapa_euskotren.svg.png

SNCF website
http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers

SNCF TER Acquitaine
http://www.ter-sncf.com/Regions/Aquitaine/fr/Default.aspx

Hendaye train station:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gare_d%27Hendaye

 

[jpflavin1]

Keykers:

That might be tough to do. The fastest way would be Stansted to Biarritz by air but there is no flight on 10 Nov. You could take the train London to Paris (2hr 30 min.). (There is a 9:22am train from London to Paris Nord. - arrive 12:52) Switch stations by taking the Paris subway or a cab to Montparnesse station and then take a train Paris to Bayonne (5 hrs.) (Paris Montparnesse depart 2:28pm to Bayonne 7:32pm), Then local train to SJPdP (1hr. 30 min.). Based on travel time and connection you might not make the last train to SJPdP.

Another option might be a flight from London to Barcelona. There are several cheap flights that day on Ryanair, Easyjet and Vueling ( 2hr. flight) under a $100. If you choose this path, take cab to Barcelona Sants (10 minutes) from airport, followed by a Renfe train to Pamplona ( About 4 hrs.). Here is where this path get tough. The bus the runs during the Peak season is probably not running anymore. So you will have to arrange a cab to SJPdP. You could also choose to start in Pamplona.

Good Luck,
Joe

 

[jpflavin1]

Hi there! I'm embarking on my first camino in early November, was hoping to leave London and get to St Jean on November 10. Unfortunately I didn't look at the days of the week and it turns out it's a Sunday. Is there fewer trains/buses on Sundays? I was hoping to start walking on November 11th (Monday).

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed just trying to get to St Jean. Biarritz looked like the easiest option, but I can't find a cheap flight on the day I need. I considered flying to Paris and getting a train to Bayonne, then St. Jean, but the sites I've found haven't been clear on schedules and booking. I couldn't even find St Jean as a destination on Rail Europe. Another alternative was flying into Bilbao and making my way back to France with buses and trains. Had the same schedule/booking confusion there too. Finally I could fly into Bordeaux and train to Bayonne, then St Jean. Once again though...I'm more confused after trying to book trains.

I'm tempted to book the flight to Bordeaux and see what my options are when I get there. Less stressful than trying to figure out timing online. Is there much of a price difference booking in advance vs. in person when I get there?

Obviously I'd like to keep it as cheap and simple as possible.

Also, will I have a problem finding somewhere to stay if I arrive in Saint Jean Pied de Port later in the evening?

Sorry for the rambling, I'm know it'll all work out in the end. Just a tad frustrated at the moment. Thanks for your help!

Keykers:

The Bordeaux option is one I had not considered. There are several cheap flights from Luton and Gatwick in London. There are also several trains from Bordeaux to Bayonne. This might be a quick last minute option and get you to SJPdP the same day. Everything depends on when you arrive in London.

I would purchase my airline tickets in advance. Train tickets at station.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[whariwharangi]

Keykers:

That might be tough to do. The fastest way would be Stansted to Biarritz by air but there is no flight on 10 Nov. You could take the train London to Paris (2hr 30 min.). (There is a 9:22am train from London to Paris Nord. - arrive 12:52) Switch stations by taking the Paris subway or a cab to Montparnesse station and then take a train Paris to Bayonne (5 hrs.) (Paris Montparnesse depart 2:28pm to Bayonne 7:32pm), Then local train to SJPdP (1hr. 30 min.). Based on travel time and connection you might not make the last train to SJPdP.

Another option might be a flight from London to Barcelona. There are several cheap flights that day on Ryanair, Easyjet and Vueling ( 2hr. flight) under a $100. If you choose this path, take cab to Barcelona Sants (10 minutes) from airport, followed by a Renfe train to Pamplona ( About 4 hrs.). Here is where this path get tough. The bus the runs during the Peak season is probably not running anymore. So you will have to arrange a cab to SJPdP. You could also choose to start in Pamplona.

Good Luck,
Joe

If you go from Barcelona, take the Renfe train to Irun/Hendaye (same train that goes through Pamplona ... there is no benefit to getting off in Pamplona) then catch the SNCF train from Irun/Hendaye to Bayonne.

Irun train station:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irun_railway_station

Hendaye train station:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gare_d%27Hendaye

Or

Take Renfe to Port Bou/Cebere. Then take TER to Narbonne and SNCF from Narbonne to Bayonne via Toulouse.

Cerbere
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gare_de_Cerbère

Port Bou
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portbou_railway_station

Renfe website:
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html

 

[Keykers]

Thanks for your advice everyone, what an awesome group! I ended up booking the flight to Bordeaux, and I'll get the train tickets when I'm there. The flight is fairly early so I'll have some time to work things out that day. It's comforting to know that I can get in later...I guess no matter what, everything works out in the end.

 

[piogaw]

Thanks for your advice everyone, what an awesome group! I ended up booking the flight to Bordeaux, and I'll get the train tickets when I'm there. The flight is fairly early so I'll have some time to work things out that day. It's comforting to know that I can get in later...I guess no matter what, everything works out in the end.

Hello keykers,

Have an enjoyable camino and god bless.