October in the Camino, Please read

[kinkin_sh]

Hi everyone.
I'll arrive to Barcelona on the 8th of October :
What is the best and cheapest way to arrive to SJDPP (bus no., train no...something specific) ? How long does it take ? After reading the warm advice most of you gave to the Nepoleon Route it seems the right option...(Does anyone thinks I'm wrong due to weather or anything else...?)
As one who does'nt have an European passport, will it be a problem to pass the border from Spain and back?

How did you all manage in means of communication without much Spanish?

Thank you all...it's really nice to see so many people with this nature-love

Kinneret

 

[Peter Robins]

Spain and France both implement the Schengen Agreement
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Agreement
so there are no longer any border controls.

 

[WolverineDG]

No need to worry about passport control between Spain & France. Just hang on to the slip of paper the Spanish immigration agents give you upon entry, as you will need it when you depart (or so the slip of paper I received says; I hope I still have it )

As for train or bus connections, look for connections to either Pamplona or San Sebastian. The Spanish train site is http://www.renfe.es & the one bus site I know is http://www.alsa.es . I´m sure others have another bus site, since there are many bus companies in Spain. A tip: take the bus when crossing the border, because if you take the train, you will sit at the border until a French train comes to pick you up.

From Pamplona, you can take the bus to Roncesvalles, then taxi to SJPdP. From San Sebastian, take the bus to Hendaye, then train to Bayonne. If you have the $ & the price is right, look for cheap flights to Biarritz (airport code BIQ), then take the bus or a taxi to Bayonne (they are very close together) to take the train to SJPdP.

Be prepared to spend the night somewhere before getting to SJPdP (in Pamplona, I can recommend the Hotel Eslava; inexpensive but very good)
Kelly

 

[joemac]

Hi kinkin ,

October should be fine on the Camino.We walked from S J P De P to Los Arcos this time last year and the weather was fine.

The route Napoleon is definately the way to use.Early mornings are a bit cool but the sun heats everything up .You might find a bit of wind chill on exposed areas but on the way down to Roncevalles the camino is well shielded from the elements.

From Roncevalles your only problem will be rain, until you start climbing again in Galicia.

Overall the countryside will be at its most beautiful........ enjoy it and drink in the scenery!

Buen Camino!

Jomac

 

[Dorothee]

Dear Jomac,
sounds wonderful, what was your choice for waterproof? Dorothee

 

[kinkin_sh]

Thank you all very very much!

Wishing you all the best,
Kineret