Madrid to SJPdP - reservations??

[Maria Jo]

Looking at Rome2rio’s website, looks like best way from Madrid to St jean is combo train/bus. Is it necessary to purchase tickets and book travel in advance? Here in the United States, I’m used to just arriving at the station and purchasing a ticket onsite. I don’t want to assume it’s the same everywhere!

Also, does anyone have a better suggestion as far as route and transportation, or does train/bus seem the most reasonable? Im looking for the quickest route. Taking into consideration travel and wait times at an airport, I’m thinking ground travel is best. Thanks for suggestions!

 

[Re-tired]

The wife and I have taken trains all over Spain. We've never encountered one that was sold out. You can typically buy the ticket at the ticket office in the station where someone who speaks enough english to help you will be working or at one of the ticket machines in the station that all have an English option....

Stop in Zaragosa for a night on your way from Madrid to Pamplona. The El Tubo tapas district is worth the visit...!

 

[trecile]

You will get a better price for the train ticket if you book it ahead. I was just looking for a friend who is going in mid May, and a Madrid - Pamplona ticket could be purchased for about 22 euro.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Although not as inexpensive as a train or bus, at 60 Euro there are several flights a day from MAD to BIQ that take about 80 minutes. At BIQ you can take a quick shuttle or taxi ride to St Jean. Just a thought, although I know you didn't include flying in your mix for transport.

 

[Douglas Christel]

I wanted to get there quickly too without long layovers. I will leave Boston at 5:30 pm and arrive in Madrid by 6:30 am, hop a quick flight to Pamplona to arrive by 9:30 am. I can then take a bus and be in St. Jean by 4pm or a cab and be there by noon. It's not the cheapest, but for me it was definitely the quickest. You can make bus and reservations within 60 days of your arrival. Your options may vary based on where you're traveling from and when you leave. Good luck planning!

 

[Maria Jo]

Although not as inexpensive as a train or bus, at 60 Euro there are several flights a day from MAD to BIQ that take about 80 minutes. At BIQ you can take a quick shuttle or taxi ride to St Jean. Just a thought, although I know you didn't include flying in your mix for transport.

Would you mind sharing airline/flight info on this? All I’m finding into BIQ are flights with multiple connections (taking many hours) and rates are over 500 Euro

 

[gloria lowe]

I did find a train from Santiago to Nadrid that was sold out in June. Book ahead if possible.

 

[trecile]

I did find a train from Santiago to Nadrid that was sold out in June. Book ahead if possible.

In August 2017 I had to take a bus from Santiago to Madrid as all the trains (and some buses) were sold out.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Would you mind sharing airline/flight info on this? All I’m finding into BIQ are flights with multiple connections (taking many hours) and rates are over 500 Euro

It puzzled me that you had no joy finding a flight, so I went back and did some digging. You are right!

Up until last October there were two airlines that served the route from MAD to BIQ. That was how I traveled from Madrid to Biarritz last September. My one way ticket ran $52.00.

Apparently, the last direct flights ended at the end of October. So now, the fastest travel from Madrid to SJPdP would be what Daniel Christel described in his post above. Flights to Pamplona depart at various times throughout the day.

Sorry for the misinformation. I just never considered that the MAD to BIQ route would be completely dropped. On the off-chance that you are able and willing to fly into either Paris or London instead of Madrid, there are direct flights to BIQ from either.

I wanted to get there quickly too without long layovers. I will leave Boston at 5:30 pm and arrive in Madrid by 6:30 am, hop a quick flight to Pamplona to arrive by 9:30 am. I can then take a bus and be in St. Jean by 4pm or a cab and be there by noon. It's not the cheapest, but for me it was definitely the quickest. You can make bus and reservations within 60 days of your arrival. Your options may vary based on where you're traveling from and when you leave. Good luck planning!

 

[cmk033]

Looking at Rome2rio’s website, looks like best way from Madrid to St jean is combo train/bus. Is it necessary to purchase tickets and book travel in advance? Here in the United States, I’m used to just arriving at the station and purchasing a ticket onsite. I don’t want to assume it’s the same everywhere!

Also, does anyone have a better suggestion as far as route and transportation, or does train/bus seem the most reasonable? Im looking for the quickest route. Taking into consideration travel and wait times at an airport, I’m thinking ground travel is best. Thanks for suggestions!

I think depending on time of travel. Bus/train (don't know much about Air travel) when I used them was practically empty in February on any route I took.

Getting from Madrid to Pomplona is not a big issue at any season as there are bus/train. In winter, it will be a challenge to get to the SJ from Pomplona. There are daily bus that is not running in winter.

 

[KYPolloFrito]

Although not as inexpensive as a train or bus, at 60 Euro there are several flights a day from MAD to BIQ that take about 80 minutes. At BIQ you can take a quick shuttle or taxi ride to St Jean. Just a thought, although I know you didn't include flying in your mix for transport.

What airlines fly from MAD to BIQ? My Mr. Google is not turning up any results. Thanks

 

[KYPolloFrito]

What airlines fly from MAD to BIQ? My Mr. Google is not turning up any results. Thanks

Nevermind - I found flights on Skyscanner.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Nevermind - I found flights on Skyscanner.

Great. I was going to say Air France (Hopi) and Easy Jet.