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... I'll have only two weeks to spend on the Camino and would hope to make it to at least Burgos. But if I still have time, I'll start across the Meseta and go as far as I can before I have to head home, which is the USA. Will transportation from Burgos or one of the villages on the Meseta be available to take me to Madrid to fly home? ...
Hi Glenda.Hi Sharry
As you only have 2 weeks (presumably plus travel time) you may want to fly to Biarritz from CDG (easy jet leaves from there), and then get a shared transfer to SJPDP with Express Bouricott.
Otherwise what Andycohn has suggested are good options.
I start on 6 May next year so may see you along the way.
cheers
Glenda
Thanks, SY. I will keep this in mind.What the others have said ;-) but I would be careful with this idea, buses are a bit 'hit and miss' in some parts of the Meseta.
BC SY
Awesome, Andy! No, Biarritz was not of special interest. I was just looking for ways to cut down on travel time to SJPdP and be rested and ready to go in as few days as possible. I will check out all of these links and see how they mesh with the flights to Paris and from Madrid. Thank you!An absolutely fine plan! Here's a couple of tweaks: From Paris take the train to Bayonne, which is one stop before Biarritz (they're twin cities, and border one another). From Bayonne, you can take the local train to St. Jean, saving you an expensive taxi ride. Of course, if you want to spend the night in Biarritz rather than Bayonne, you can easily do that, but the next morning take the local bus to Bayonne and from there get the train to St. Jean. Here's the web site for the French trains: https://en.oui.sncf/en/
Note that you can get the train to Bayonne (or Biarritz) from the Paris airport (Charles de Gaulle), if you don't want to go into Paris itself. You can also get the train from Gare Montparnasse in central Paris.
It's also possible to fly directly to Biarritz (you'll have to change planes in Paris, though). From the Biarritz Airport, the easiest thing is to take the Express Bourricot passenger van directly to St. Jean. Contact them to make a reservation at https://www.expressbourricot.com/.
On the return end, Madrid is the largest big city with an international airport near to Burgos. There are both frequent buses and trains connecting the two cities. Here's the web site for the bus company: https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/home
And here's the web site for the train company: http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html
From California, where you apparently live, Norwegian Aiirlines has cheap non-stop flights to Paris, leaving out of both LA and SF / Oakland. On Norwegian, it's just as cheap to fly one way as round trip. Norwegian also flies non-stop from Madrid to LA (one stop to Oakland / SF). That's your most efficient and cheapest itinerary, but check around for other possibilities. You can also come back on Norwegian from Barcelona to either LA or SF /Oak, both non-stop, although Barcelona is a bit further from Burgos than is Madrid.
Buen Camino!
Not yet, Dave C. I'm thinking of next May.Welcome to the forum! And I hope you enjoy your Camino. It has already started!!
Oh dear... Well... It may be that the hardest part of this trip will be planning how to get to SJPdP!All good information here but, transportation, especially rail in France has been highly erratic for some time now, it seems that strikes are a regular occurrence. So, you may want to come in through Spain or some other country and limit your exposure to SNCF wherever possible. Hopefully the labor strife will end soon but, I wouldn’t count on it.
Good luck, Buen Camino.
No!! Easy. See my PMOh dear... Well... It may be that the hardest part of this trip will be planning how to get to SJPdP!
Sharry
Sharry, your Camino has already started in that you are planning and preparingNot yet, Dave C. I'm thinking of next May.
Sharry
Thanks. I'm not going to push, so even if I don't make it to Burgos, I'll be happy. If I only make it to Burgos, I'll be happy. If I make it onto the Meseta, I'll be happy.I wouldn't plan on getting much farther than Burgos in two weeks. On my three Camino Franceses I have reached Burgos on the 13th - 15th day of walking. It's a good place to spend an extra day if you arri early, and has good transportation options.
I'm thinking I'll leave home around May 8 if I can get a good price for the flight, so I'll be a few days behind you.
The Campanile hotel was recommended to me, because it's very close to the airport in Biarritz. Unfortunately, I didn't get to stay there because my flight from Geneva to Biarritz was canceled. But the airline did put me up in a very nice hotel in Geneva.Well, I did it! I've got my flights booked and should (if I did everything correctly) arrive in Biarritz Friday night, May 8. Here are my questions:
~ Any recommendations for a place to stay in Biarritz that night? (I arrive at 21:00, if that matters regarding check in time limits.)
~ Anyone want to share a taxi to SJPdP the next day, Saturday the 9th? (I'll put out a separate post for this.)
~ Any recommendations for where to stay one night in SJPdP?
~ Any recommendations for a place to stay in Madrid? I'll be arriving there Wednesday, May 27, and leaving for home the next day.
I'm sure I can find people's recommendations by searching this forum, too.
Hello, Sharry Terry here I live in New Zealand I have been three times. Each time I get myself to Paris. Then into Montparnasse train station all times I have prebooked a train ride to St jean pied de port you will find this online two trains per day there is a change of train at Bayonne but it is all one ticket. Then walk into st jean,, two k,s and stay two nights giving you one whole day to get the feel of the place. Good luck and God bless.I don't know what got me thinking about it. Maybe rereading a friend's email about his Via Francigena trip a year and a half ago. But I've been consumed (for the last three weeks) with the idea of walking the Camino Frances next May. Reading these posts has been tremendous inspiration and very informative. I'm sure I'll have many questions about things like money, sleeping bag (yes or no) and other practical things. But first, getting there. My thought is to fly to Paris, then to Biarritz, spending a night in Biarritz, then taking a taxi to SJPdP and spending a night there to hopefully get rested enough to begin the next day. I'll have only two weeks to spend on the Camino and would hope to make it to at least Burgos. But if I still have time, I'll start across the Meseta and go as far as I can before I have to head home, which is the USA. Will transportation from Burgos or one of the villages on the Meseta be available to take me to Madrid to fly home? Is Madrid the closest international airport for flying back to the US? Is my plan to get to SJPdP sound? Thanks for any advice you have.
Check out Express Bourricot for a shuttle from Biarritz to SJPdPAnyone want to share a taxi to SJPdP the next day, Saturday the 9th? (I'll put out a separate post for this.)
Well, I did it! I've got my flights booked and should (if I did everything correctly) arrive in Biarritz Friday night, May 8. Here are my questions:
~ Any recommendations for a place to stay in Biarritz that night? (I arrive at 21:00, if that matters regarding check in time limits.)
~ Anyone want to share a taxi to SJPdP the next day, Saturday the 9th? (I'll put out a separate post for this.)
~ Any recommendations for where to stay one night in SJPdP?
~ Any recommendations for a place to stay in Madrid? I'll be arriving there Wednesday, May 27, and leaving for home the next day.
I'm sure I can find people's recommendations by searching this forum, too.
From west coast USA I buy a round trip to London and then fly London to either Biarritz, Bordeaux or Bilbao.
On your return, Burgos is closer to Bilbao than Madrid and you can fly from Bilbao to London. It is also easy to fly Santiago to London returning from your next Camino. Having said that, if I could fly nonstop Seattle to Madrid I would do it. Last May in Bordeaux there were Yellow Jacket protests but it did not delay my travels.
Well, I did it! I've got my flights booked and should (if I did everything correctly) arrive in Biarritz Friday night, May 8.
As others have suggested, the Easy Jet flight from Paris to Biarritz and then the Bouricoutt Express shuttle to SJPP works well. Don't know where you are coming from in the US, but regardless, it will be a long day. If you need to rest up before starting your Camino, do it SJPP. Bouricoutt drops you off near the Visitors Center (which is near the Pilgrim office) so try to book a hotel, gite, or albergue in the same area. SJPP is a pleasant little town to rest up in. Or, skip the rest day and make a reservation at Orisson and start walking the first day. It's a short day, about 5 miles, but it is a climb so choosing this option might depend on your training. We got to Burgos in 13 days but did not take a rest day before we started and on the first day went all the way to Roncevalles. Long day but we were stoked to do it. Later, we split one of the longer stages into two. One more thing, in arranging ground transportation, compare train and bus. Sometimes the bus takes less time then the train and is cheaper. You can get an ALSA bus from Burgos to Madrid cheaper and shorter than the train. Also, the train station is outside of Burgos and you will likely need a taxi. The bus station is a short walk from the town center. You can get buses to Madrid center or to the T4 terminal at the airport. If you are immediately getting on a plane and it doesn't leave from T4, the airport has a free shuttle between terminals (big airport, shuttle can seem a little long).I don't know what got me thinking about it. Maybe rereading a friend's email about his Via Francigena trip a year and a half ago. But I've been consumed (for the last three weeks) with the idea of walking the Camino Frances next May. Reading these posts has been tremendous inspiration and very informative. I'm sure I'll have many questions about things like money, sleeping bag (yes or no) and other practical things. But first, getting there. My thought is to fly to Paris, then to Biarritz, spending a night in Biarritz, then taking a taxi to SJPdP and spending a night there to hopefully get rested enough to begin the next day. I'll have only two weeks to spend on the Camino and would hope to make it to at least Burgos. But if I still have time, I'll start across the Meseta and go as far as I can before I have to head home, which is the USA. Will transportation from Burgos or one of the villages on the Meseta be available to take me to Madrid to fly home? Is Madrid the closest international airport for flying back to the US? Is my plan to get to SJPdP sound? Thanks for any advice you have.
Bayonne is lovely. I would really recommend spending a night there. There are some great eateries and a beautiful church.Take the local Chronoplus bus from Biarritz Airport to Gare Bayonne. There are several hotels near the train station. In the AM, catch SNCF train from Gare Bayonne to SJPdP. There are 4 or 5 trains daily and train is much cheaper than a taxi.
I note that you are arriving 2100 ... I'm not sure if the Chronoplus bus runs that late. Take a taxi to downtown Bayonne.
Thanks for this. I'm coming from California. After the flights, I'll spend my first night in Biarritz. I get in late (9PM). Then I will try for Bouricot Express the next morning. For better or worse, I did not plan a rest day in SJPP. Hoping to get there in the morning from Biarritz, I'll only spend one night in SJPP and then head to Orisson. I've requested a reservation already and I have my reservation for Roncesvalles the next night. My only concern is the trek from Orisson to Roncesvalles. I was lying in bed this morning thinking about training and considering walking to BART (the train) with a loaded pack on the four days a week I must take BART to work. It would be a mile each way and would be better than no training. I haven't yet figured out transportation to Madrid from Burgos. I'll be spending a night there as my flight leaves the next morning. Do you need to make reservations for the bus in advance?As others have suggested, the Easy Jet flight from Paris to Biarritz and then the Bouricoutt Express shuttle to SJPP works well. Don't know where you are coming from in the US, but regardless, it will be a long day. If you need to rest up before starting your Camino, do it SJPP. Bouricoutt drops you off near the Visitors Center (which is near the Pilgrim office) so try to book a hotel, gite, or albergue in the same area. SJPP is a pleasant little town to rest up in. Or, skip the rest day and make a reservation at Orisson and start walking the first day. It's a short day, about 5 miles, but it is a climb so choosing this option might depend on your training. We got to Burgos in 13 days but did not take a rest day before we started and on the first day went all the way to Roncevalles. Long day but we were stoked to do it. Later, we split one of the longer stages into two. One more thing, in arranging ground transportation, compare train and bus. Sometimes the bus takes less time then the train and is cheaper. You can get an ALSA bus from Burgos to Madrid cheaper and shorter than the train. Also, the train station is outside of Burgos and you will likely need a taxi. The bus station is a short walk from the town center. You can get buses to Madrid center or to the T4 terminal at the airport. If you are immediately getting on a plane and it doesn't leave from T4, the airport has a free shuttle between terminals (big airport, shuttle can seem a little long).
Kia Ora, Coming from NZ too around that same time, might see you on the trail!this is what I plan to do coming from New Zealand, spend a few days in London late april 2020, get a ryan air flight to Biarritz, then jump on the #4 bus from Biarritz airport to Bayonne rail station the jump in the train to St Jean. my first camino and done years of planning, well more lurking on this site and you tube. but flight is booked so its finally happening!
Are you in the Bay Area?Richmond waterfront has beautiful walking, plus you are an easy BART ride away from spectacular hiking in Berkeley, Oakland hills, SF, etc. The best thing you can do is start walking as much as you can (and pack very, very light!)
I did a 2 week Camino in 2016. Flew to Madrid....train to Astorga.....Astorga to Santiago....it was greatI don't know what got me thinking about it. Maybe rereading a friend's email about his Via Francigena trip a year and a half ago. But I've been consumed (for the last three weeks) with the idea of walking the Camino Frances next May. Reading these posts has been tremendous inspiration and very informative. I'm sure I'll have many questions about things like money, sleeping bag (yes or no) and other practical things. But first, getting there. My thought is to fly to Paris, then to Biarritz, spending a night in Biarritz, then taking a taxi to SJPdP and spending a night there to hopefully get rested enough to begin the next day. I'll have only two weeks to spend on the Camino and would hope to make it to at least Burgos. But if I still have time, I'll start across the Meseta and go as far as I can before I have to head home, which is the USA. Will transportation from Burgos or one of the villages on the Meseta be available to take me to Madrid to fly home? Is Madrid the closest international airport for flying back to the US? Is my plan to get to SJPdP sound? Thanks for any advice you have.
oh great, ill look forward to itKia Ora, Coming from NZ too around that same time, might see you on the trail!
I don't know what got me thinking about it. Maybe rereading a friend's email about his Via Francigena trip a year and a half ago. But I've been consumed (for the last three weeks) with the idea of walking the Camino Frances next May. Reading these posts has been tremendous inspiration and very informative. I'm sure I'll have many questions about things like money, sleeping bag (yes or no) and other practical things. But first, getting there. My thought is to fly to Paris, then to Biarritz, spending a night in Biarritz, then taking a taxi to SJPdP and spending a night there to hopefully get rested enough to begin the next day. I'll have only two weeks to spend on the Camino and would hope to make it to at least Burgos. But if I still have time, I'll start across the Meseta and go as far as I can before I have to head home, which is the USA. Will transportation from Burgos or one of the villages on the Meseta be available to take me to Madrid to fly home? Is Madrid the closest international airport for flying back to the US? Is my plan to get to SJPdP sound? Thanks for any advice you have.
But on the other hand, if you love meeting people.......hmm. I’d avoid May if you can....
having said that. A busy Camino is still 10 times better than no Camino...
Not Every Day on the Camino is a Great One!
Just needed to 'unload' a bit LOL. (We all have down days) Of course it was busy all the way...
I second this suggestion.I see that you have Orisson and Roncesvalles already sorted. I would probably also book the next accommodation between Roncesvalles and Pamplona as that section tends to be a bit of a bottleneck around Easter, in early May and in early September.
Not sure if you need to purchase your bus ticket in advance. I bought mine the day before both times. Both times the bus had empty seats.Thanks for this. I'm coming from California. After the flights, I'll spend my first night in Biarritz. I get in late (9PM). Then I will try for Bouricot Express the next morning. For better or worse, I did not plan a rest day in SJPP. Hoping to get there in the morning from Biarritz, I'll only spend one night in SJPP and then head to Orisson. I've requested a reservation already and I have my reservation for Roncesvalles the next night. My only concern is the trek from Orisson to Roncesvalles. I was lying in bed this morning thinking about training and considering walking to BART (the train) with a loaded pack on the four days a week I must take BART to work. It would be a mile each way and would be better than no training. I haven't yet figured out transportation to Madrid from Burgos. I'll be spending a night there as my flight leaves the next morning. Do you need to make reservations for the bus in advance?
Thanks, although I’ve travelled a bit in France many years ago I’ve never been to Spain and I can’t wait. I’m still deciding whether to fly into Paris from AKL or head to London. Decisions I’ll have to make very soon!oh great, ill look forward to it. im slightly nervous … although I shouldn't be but on my own into france and spain ( countries ive never been to) but same time extremely excited. im sure ill be fine. safe travels
whatever route you take safe travels and hope to see you there, once news years is past april will come around very quickly!Thanks, although I’ve travelled a bit in France many years ago I’ve never been to Spain and I can’t wait. I’m still deciding whether to fly into Paris from AKL or head to London. Decisions I’ll have to make very soon!
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