Need advice on returning to Paris

[Bamafan]

I'm planning on doing a ten day stint on the trail starting at SJP in late May. I hope to end up at the town of Belorado. My question is, what are my best/most reliable options getting back to Ste. Jean or even Paris?
Can you get a bus back to Ste. Jean? Is there a train? Or am I better off going to Santiago via bus or train and then flying back to Paris (Charles De Gaulle)?

I'd prefer to walk the entire trail in one shot but my boss at work would never let me off for that much time all at once (sigh), hence I have to break it up into segments. Anyhow, any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and buen camino!

 

[jirit]

After arriving in Belorado you probably want to get to Burgos by local bus and catch the overnight train that departs from Madrid, passes through Burgos and continues to Paris. The train passes through Burgos normally around 10 pm and you should arrive in Paris early morning - but plan for delays.

 

[whariwharangi]

Autobuses Jimenez operates buses that stop in Belorado.
http://www.autobusesjimenez.com/

As suggested by Jirit, go by bus to Burgos and catch the train to Irun.
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html

At Irun cross the platform to transfer from Spains train system to Frances train system and catch the train to Paris.
http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers

SJPdP is a small village from which many of us start our pilgrimage. There is no benefit to returning there if that is not your final destination.

It is possible to get a flight from Biarritz to Paris. You would take the train from Irun to Biarritz.
http://en.biarritz.aeroport.fr/

 

[t2andreo]

Although it might be more expensive, seriously consider flying an "Open Jaw" route. My experience results in more direct travel, taking fewer hours enroute, with fewer connections. There should be a minimal additional cost in flying into one European city and returning from another European city, as opposed to a standard round trip.

This example assumes you are coming from outside Europe. Fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Take the "Les Cars Air France" bus from T-2 just beyond luggage claim to Gare Montparnasse. I think it is Line #4. See this link for specific information on the bus transfers from CDG to Gare Montparnasse:

http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/...lic-transport/paris-cdg-car-air-france.htm#a3

From there, ride the SNCF/TGV to Bayonne and change to the little local train to St. Jean Pied de Porte. You can book the rail portion through http//www.raileurope.com

For reference, the SNCF web site is: http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers

The regional train web site for the TER Line 62 from Bayonne to St. Jean Pied de Port (French only) is: http://www.ter-sncf.com/Regions/aqu...Avant_mon_voyage/Fiches_horaires/Default.aspx

When you arrive at your Camino end point in Spain, take a bus (they are VERY nice) or a train, or both, to Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD). Fly direct back to your starting point from Madrid. This may entail staying a night at a hotel near the airport before catching your flight home. There are a lot of low priced hotels and hostals with free shuttle service to the airport. The Madrid Metro system is VERY easy to use. Their web site is: http://www.metromadrid.es/en/

You book the flights to CDG and from MAD through your airline or travel agent. The bus or Spanish train portions can be booked as suggested above. NOTE: In my experience, rail schedules and ticketing are rarely available less than 60 days before.

One final thing to consider is to alter your end point so you can catch a direct bus, or a train to Madrid. The other BIG Spanish bus company is ALSA. Their web site is: http://www.alsa.es/en I rode their buses several times earlier this year. They are clean, inexpensive, comfortable and some services even have attendants.

I hope this helps.

 

[dougfitz]

While it is possible to do one's own arrangements to open jaw flights through on-line booking sites, I find that my travel agent does a much better job, and generally is able to find cheaper options. Good travel agents will do connections to trains, hotels on arrival and departure, etc. They may not be cheaper than the on-line sites for simple return travel to and from a single destination, once more complicated arrangements are needed, they come into their own. Mine has saved me far more than the fees she charges over the years.