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Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Pamplona lodging near train & /or or bus stations

MARSKA

Veteran Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Sept/Oct 2023
Hola All Good Pilgrims!

As I become more deeply engaged in planning for this amazing experience, things seem to become increasingly complicated and I find myself in need of advice from those more experienced than I.

My inclination to begin this adventure in Pamplona has shifted to perhaps initial immersion into the Camino experience in St. Jean Pied de Port. Thus I adjusted the direction of my research to ground transportation from Madrid to SJPdP.

In the SJPdP scenario it seems wise to ride the train from Madrid to Pamplona and from there the bus to SJPdP. I believe an overnight in Pamplona would be prudent, indeed necessary; as it appears the train from Madrid arrives Irun after the bus to St. Jean departs.

Perdon dear Pilgrims as I have taken the long route to arrive at the reason for this post. I hope to dip into the vast wealth of knowledge this community owns in order to obtain suggestions for overnight lodging convenient to the train and bus stations.

I am truly in your debt.

Gratefully,
A New Pilgrim, Kat
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
We are actually taking an early morning train from Madrid to Pamplona next month which arrives in plenty of time to catch the bus to SJPDP. Depending on your flight, you may have to overnight in Madrid which is what we will do and then catch the early train at Atocha the next morning. Or you can stay in Pamplona. I think I have already mentioned that I don't like that town much so I would not want to stay there, but others have also given you some guidance. The train station is kind of on the edge of town in Pamplona while the bus station is more in the center near the old fortress walls.
 
I consulted Trainline and did not see an option for an early morning train from Madrid to Pamplona (on Sept 21, 2023). I arrive Madrid around 0700 and would ideally like to get the train as soon as I can after customs but the first train listed isn't until 1830 or so.
 
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I looked on Renfe and it said tickets for Madrid to Pamplona on Sept 21 are not yet available. I can see that tickets are available for July and August, but not September yet. The trains you see listed on Trainline all involve the high speed trains where you first go to Zaragoza and then switch to a different line. There are usually 4 direct trains from Atocha station to Pamplona per day. They are not the high speed trains like AVE, Oiugo, etc. Put in a date in Trainline in July or August to see the daily schedule. It is likely to be the same in September.

You could also probably take a bus from the airport to Pamplona. It would take longer, but the buses are pretty nice in Spain.
 
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I looked on Renfe and it said tickets for Madrid to Pamplona on Sept 21 are not yet available. I can see that tickets are available for July and August, but not September yet. The trains you see listed on Trainline all involve the high speed trains where you first go to Zaragoza and then switch to a different line. There are usually 4 direct trains from Atocha station to Pamplona per day. They are not the high speed trains like AVE, Oiugo, etc. Put in a date in Trainline in July or August to see the daily schedule. It is likely to be the same in September.

You could also probably take a bus from the airport to Pamplona. It would take longer, but the buses are pretty nice in Spain.
Oh dear which Atocha station? I see there is more than 1 in Madrid
 
The two train stations in Madrid are Atocha and Chamartin. You can take a Cercanias train from the T4 terminal to either Atocha or Chamartin. Trains to Santiago leave from Chamartin. Trains to Pamplona leave from Atocha. You can also take a yellow Express bus from the airport which goes to Atocha. If I arrive at terminal 1,2,or 3, I take the express bus. From T4 it may be easier to take the train. Although the Cercanias trains leave and depart in an area separate from the regular long-haul trains at Atocha, it is still part of the same station.
 
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There are also Alsa buses that go directly from the Madrid Airport to Pamplona. We are planning to do this in September, and then take the bus to St Jean the next day. The Aloha hostel looks to be close to the bus station, and has both dorm and individual rooms.
 
By the way, the train station in Pamplona is not very close to the centre - not really walkable. Check Google Maps or Booking.com for hotel options, if you need them. The bus station, however, is very central and close to many hotels.
 
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Hola All Good Pilgrims!

As I become more deeply engaged in planning for this amazing experience, things seem to become increasingly complicated and I find myself in need of advice from those more experienced than I.

My inclination to begin this adventure in Pamplona has shifted to perhaps initial immersion into the Camino experience in St. Jean Pied de Port. Thus I adjusted the direction of my research to ground transportation from Madrid to SJPdP.

In the SJPdP scenario it seems wise to ride the train from Madrid to Pamplona and from there the bus to SJPdP. I believe an overnight in Pamplona would be prudent, indeed necessary; as it appears the train from Madrid arrives Irun after the bus to St. Jean departs.

Perdon dear Pilgrims as I have taken the long route to arrive at the reason for this post. I hope to dip into the vast wealth of knowledge this community owns in order to obtain suggestions for overnight lodging convenient to the train and bus stations.

I am truly in your debt.

Gratefully,
A New Pilgrim, Kat
I arrive Madrid May 16 at 10:40 AM. Taking the Madrid to Pamplona train, leaving Madrid at 14:50 and arriving in Pamplona at 18:22 on the same day. Staying overnight in Pamplona and taking the 12:00 PM bus to SJPP on May17. Have both train and bus ticket purchased already through Trainline.
 
By the way, the train station in Pamplona is not very close to the centre - not really walkable. Check Google Maps or Booking.com for hotel options, if you need them. The bus station, however, is very central and close to many hotels.
The "train station" is 1.5km from the base of the "ascensor" which conveys you to the edge of the Old Town with the Cathedral a mere 750 metres further...you will have been walking through streets with many bars and restaurants.
 
There is an urban bus stop around the corner from the Pamplona train station, very short walk. Last year I took bus #21 and got off at a stop almost directly in front of my hotel. Easy peasy.

For planning purposes and to see routes, here is the link for Pamplona Urban Buses:
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
There is an urban bus stop around the corner from the Pamplona train station, very short walk. Last year I took bus #21 and got off at a stop almost directly in front of my hotel. Easy peasy.

For planning purposes and to see routes, here is the link for Pamplona Urban Buses:
Thanks!!! Very helpful!!!!! Do you recall the name of the hotel?
 
Thanks!!! Very helpful!!!!! Do you recall the name of the hotel?
I was at Hotel Yoldi. A bit pricey, but comfortable enough, nice bed to sleep off jet lag and I got a good price booking far in advance. Pamplona Hotels do not come cheap.

@MARSKA the good thing about accommodation in that particular area is that it is very close to the bus station IF you are intending to bus to SJPdP, as I you said are considering.
 
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Bus line 9 goes from the train station to the northeastern corner of the park with the ciudedela. The bus station is underground at the edge of the park with a low glass entrance building. Select Estación de tren and then linea 9 here:
 
[...]
I hope [...] to obtain suggestions for overnight lodging convenient to the [Pamplona] train and bus stations.
Gratefully,
A New Pilgrim, Kat
I have stayed here twice:

Hostal Navarra-Nafarroa
+34 627 37 48 78

It is very close to the bus station, was quiet, clean and perfectly acceptable, and I would cheerfully stay there again, but be aware that this lodging place has a strict no-contact check-in process. You will need a smart-phone and SIM with Spanish telephone number and data plan, to enable you to receive by email the secret street-door-opening code so that you can ascend the inside stairs to the no-contact check-in station, where you will enter a second code to open a box to get your room key. Without the codes you won't be able to get in. In my experience they don't send the codes until mid-day, well after most pilgrims have left their previous night's lodging place with its presumed email-enabling WIFI. Be sure to register your email address when booking your room.
 
I have stayed here twice:

Hostal Navarra-Nafarroa
+34 627 37 48 78

It is very close to the bus station, was quiet, clean and perfectly acceptable, and I would cheerfully stay there again, but be aware that this lodging place has a strict no-contact check-in process. You will need a smart-phone and SIM with Spanish telephone number and data plan, to enable you to receive by email the secret street-door-opening code so that you can ascend the inside stairs to the no-contact check-in station, where you will enter a second code to open a box to get your room key. Without the codes you won't be able to get in. In my experience they don't send the codes until mid-day, well after most pilgrims have left their previous night's lodging place with its presumed email-enabling WIFI. Be sure to register your email address when booking your room.
I stayed here too! Very nice room.
It was very close to the bus station and the old city area.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
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