March 2019 Arrival

[lpscheid]

Greetings,

Booked my one-way ticket for my first Camino via Kiwi.com last night (feeling a little uneasy about Kiwi) to arrive in Paris (ORY) on March 29 at 1210. Thoughts about staying in Paris for the night, getting on a train right away to SJPP or waiting until the next day to take the train? Goal is to start the Camino from SJPP on Sunday, March 31 via Napoleon route (fingers crossed).

Thanks! Lindsey

 

[Tassie Kaz]

Greetings,

Booked my one-way ticket for my first Camino via Kiwi.com last night (feeling a little uneasy about Kiwi) to arrive in Paris (ORY) on March 29 at 1210. Thoughts about staying in Paris for the night, getting on a train right away to SJPP or waiting until the next day to take the train? Goal is to start the Camino from SJPP on Sunday, March 31 via Napoleon route (fingers crossed).

Thanks! Lindsey

Hi Lindsey...you must be so excited!
I flew into Paris from Australia arriving about the same time as you...although in 2012! I caught the train into the city centre, wandered around 'the sights' for a few hours & then boarded another train for Bordeaux where I stayed two nights.
What you do will depend on how interested you are in Paris, if you've been before & how you handle long haul flights (I'm assuming you're from across The Ditch!). Paris is big, busy & very expensive. Heading straight to Bordeaux worked well for me (flight recovery, adapt & acclimatise, less expensive, etc) & it made for a shorter hop to StJPdP. I stayed StJPdP one night before starting out For me, it meant arriving to begin the Camino fresher, more relaxed & ready to focus on the extraordinary experience which lay ahead.
Southern Hemisphere pilgrims have a different approach as we've already had a journey before we begin The Journey!
Happy trails!

 

[Tassie Kaz]

Hi Lindsey...you must be so excited!
I flew into Paris from Australia arriving about the same time as you...although in 2012! I caught the train into the city centre, wandered around 'the sights' for a few hours & then boarded another train for Bordeaux where I stayed two nights.
What you do will depend on how interested you are in Paris, if you've been before & how you handle long haul flights (I'm assuming you're from across The Ditch!). Paris is big, busy & very expensive. Heading straight to Bordeaux worked well for me (flight recovery, adapt & acclimatise, less expensive, etc) & it made for a shorter hop to StJPdP. I stayed StJPdP one night before starting out For me, it meant arriving to begin the Camino fresher, more relaxed & ready to focus on the extraordinary experience which lay ahead.
Southern Hemisphere pilgrims have a different approach as we've already had a journey before we begin The Journey!
Happy trails!

Oops...sorry Lindsey! I've just noticed you're from the USA....it was the Kiwi.com bit that threw me! I understand it can be quite a haul for you flight-wise so my response still applies & may be of assistance. You'll be inundated with replies so should have a wealth of info to sift through & find what will work for you.
Ultreia

 

[Monasp]

Greetings,

Booked my one-way ticket for my first Camino via Kiwi.com last night (feeling a little uneasy about Kiwi) to arrive in Paris (ORY) on March 29 at 1210. Thoughts about staying in Paris for the night, getting on a train right away to SJPP or waiting until the next day to take the train? Goal is to start the Camino from SJPP on Sunday, March 31 via Napoleon route (fingers crossed).

Thanks! Lindsey

Napoleon route is closed untill April 1rst. March 31 you have to go by Valcarlos the other way

 

[mbates2]

Depending on what time you get into Paris. There is a morning train that will take you to Biarritz and then either the train to SJPP, if it is running or by bus.

 

[uscaminodude]

Lindsey: My wife and I intend to start walking from SJPDP on March 31, 2019. We will leave open our route. If we feel up for it and can get a room in Orrison, on March 31, we will do the Napolean from Orisson on April 1, otherwise we plan to walk to Roncesvalles, via Valcarlos on March 31. We hope to see you along the way. Greg.

 

[lpscheid]

Hello Greg! I've decided to start on April 1 from SJPdP and go to Orrison (if I can get a room) then on to Roncesvalles. Perhaps I will see you along the way!

 

[Susan Peacock]

While April 1st is the first possible day that the Napoleon route will be open, it will only be open weather permitting. I walked in April 2016 and 2018 and the route was not open until mid-April and then closed again due to inclement weather. The pilgrim office will be able to advise you. You do not want to walk unless it is open and then it can be tough in bad weather. In 2016 the wind was so strong you could hardly stand. The Valcarlos route is lovely too, so just continue to stay flexible.

 

[RENSHAW]

Mid March many moons ago - We started from Roncesvalles and we still had to walk on the main road. You should book at Orrison to secure a bed?

 

[kathrynofloxely]

Hello Greg! I've decided to start on April 1 from SJPdP and go to Orrison (if I can get a room) then on to Roncesvalles. Perhaps I will see you along the way!

My husband and I also starting frim SJDPon April 1st 2019, Orisson said by reply email to check to see if open couple days before - maybe see you enroute

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Looks like quite many are starting April 1
Starting April 3 ... maybe I can catch up with some of you

 

[kathrynofloxely]

Yes that would be great