Pamplona train and timing

[dramig]

Hola peregrinos...

First, thank you for all of your knowledge in the past! I have a few questions in regards to timing and hostel access. There are 5 of us. going from Pampona to Logrono on a 5 day Camino (I know I wish I had more time). Here is the section I have some questions about:

We land in Barcelona (with a layover in London) at 130 on Sunday March 24. There is a 330 and 730 train leaving for Pamplona.
1. Making the 330 train is not feasible with customs and transfer to Sants station...correct?
2. Taking the 730 seems safer. Should I buy a 330 ticket on second class + so we could change it if we do not make it? I think the fee is 5% or 30% for changing depending on what I buy.
3. Suppose we take the 730 train which gets us in at 1130 into Pamplona. We would have a 30 minute walk from the train station to Plaza del castillo where our hostel is at. We also have to get a key at another location as the hostel does not have a 24 hour reception. Supposedly it is 10 minute walk away.

We will be jet lagged and on a 7 hour time change. I just want to make sure I am not missing out on anything here, Once we get on the Camino, most planning will be gone and we will find some ease. Walking across Pamplona at this time of night should be plenty safe I assume. Would public bus or taxi work out better? Does anyone have input?

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Walking across Pamplona at this time of night should be plenty safe I assume. Would public bus or taxi work out better? Does anyone have input?

Probably safe to walk but take a cab. I was looking for a bus from the train station but the timing does not look good. It looks like for buses you would need line N7 leaving from avda San Jorge, #71 to Bajada de Labrit. One leaves at 23:21 and another at 00:11. Departures from Renfe are much more often during the day with line #9. See https://www.infotuc.es/index.php/es/horarios-y-recorridos/linea/N7

 

[Iriebabel]

The train station is a bit of distance from BCN and traffic should be a consideration.
Consider the 7:30 train. Once in Pamplona consider a taxi. The walk is considerable from the Train station as it is outside far and below the old city. The Camino runs thru the old city.. near the cathedral.

Another consideration, if you have time , consider spending the day in Baercelona take in the city...resting then taking the train the next day to Pamplona with fresh eyes .....

 

[Jan_D]

I would also recommend the later train. Something else to consider is the reception hours of your accommodation - most albergues shut their doors at 10pm and check-in times for hotels can also be more limited off-season. So make sure you book a hotel that has 24hr reception, or else check in advance that your accommodation allows for late arrivals...

 

[t2andreo]

Something is not clear to me. Are you landing at 01:30 in the MORNING or afternoon?

I would exercise your option #2, buy a changeable ticket on the 3:30 train, and take a taxi from the airport to the train station... hustle to get to the train.

This is made easier if you clear passport control at London as you enter the Schengen free movement EU zone, before the (for the moment) inter-EU / domestic flight to Barcelona. Claiming your checked baggage at Barcelona and clearing customs should be easy. Thence to the taxi to the train station...

IMHO your focus should be to try to make the 3:30 train. Once you do that, all else falls into place.

I know this is hindsight, but one could have flown into Madrid and then onward to Pamplona on Iberia... Just sayin... it's what I would do...