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Thank you for your reply. I am going next June so unfortunately tickets/prices aren't available yet. Hence my query - do I book what seems to be a cheap flight now, or will the train tickets be a similar price?
Thanks Rob. That's good to know. I tried looking for prices in 3 months time just to get an idea (even though I am going in June - but those dates aren't available yet) - and tickets were around 200 Euro.Hi @joanne
Funnily enough I'll be on that very train in about 4 hours!
Booking ahead (June) it cost me 55 euro for a first class ticket!
Buenos Camino,
Rob.
Thanks Rob. That's good to know. I tried looking for prices in 3 months time just to get an idea (even though I am going in June - but those dates aren't available yet) - and tickets were around 200 Euro.
Thanks. Yes, good point re the additional costs (and hassle).You're "keen to know how those two options compare" so don't forget to add the costs of getting to/from airports (as a very rough estimate €10-20 each way). The trains will take you to the city centres.
Edit to add: checked what I've paid previously. £50.50 or £55. Note that's first class and in sterling.
Unless you are flying into CDG from outside Europe in which case the cost advantage goes the opposite direction in favour of the flight.You're "keen to know how those two options compare" so don't forget to add the costs of getting to/from airports (as a very rough estimate €10-20 each way). The trains will take you to the city centres.
Book it, its a no brainer., can't understand discussion. Short bus from airport to Bayonne for 1euro and 12 euro train ride takes you too SJPdeP in one hour. Total: 63 euro from CDG to Start of your CaminoThere are currently Easy Jet flights for 50 Euro from CDG to Biarritz.
I'm keen to know how those two options compare
Thanks Glenda. I really appreciate your reply. We are flying into Paris from Perth, but staying in Paris for 2 nights before heading to SJPDP. I've booked accommodation near Gate Montparnasse as we had intended to get the train to Bayonne. Now I'm in a quandry as there are very cheap flights available, and I can't find out what the train is likely to cost in June. Decisions, decisionsHi Joanne
We are starting our Camino in May next year, and coming from Brisbane are doing all these calculations. It was cheaper (and faster) for us to fly into CDG, overnight there and get the EasyJet flight to Biarritz from there the next morning.
We are transferring with Biarritz airport transfers which is the most expensive part @ E130, but if we can get sharers that will come down,
We just didn’t want to have to get to Montparnasse station from CDG (about 80 minutes in good traffic on airport shuttle), and then get the train (taking around 7 hours with changes and waiting).
Happy with the price paid for CDG to Biarritz flight at approx. 59GBP + a little for checked luggage.
Hope this helps.
Glenda
The train seems easier given we will be close, but a 50 euro flight is hard to pass up.Thanks Glenda. I really appreciate your reply. We are flying into Paris from Perth, but staying in Paris for 2 nights before heading to SJPDP. I've booked accommodation near Gate Montparnasse as we had intended to get the train to Bayonne. Now I'm in a quandry as there are very cheap flights available, and I can't find out what the train is likely to cost in June. Decisions, decisions. LOL
Thank youThe train is unlikely to be cheaper - and will definitely be much longer
Thanks. Yes, good point re the additional costs (and hassle).
Train to Biarritz takes 5 hours, metro from Montparnasse to CDG takes 45mins and flight takes 85 mins. If both options are same price it comes down to convenience of both travel requirements and time. I'd take the train, its a no brainer
You get what you pay for. The train is not much slower than the plane, point-to-point. The costs will be comparable.
BUT, and this is the point, carrying bags onto the train is far easier than dealing with airline baggage policies. Also, traveling by train is oh so much more pleasant in France than flying. The trains are spotless, roomy, and friendly. The scenery is to die for. France is beautiful in any season, even at 250 KPH++.
I say fly to CDG, take the coach service to Gare Montparnasse and then the TGV to Bayonne. Finally, you take the TER #62 light rail train to SJPdP. SJPdP is the final stop on the line, so you cannot go wrong.
They even hold the TER for the arrival of the TGV from Paris if it is delayed as they know it is loaded with pilgrims who need to get to SKPdP.
It's easy peasy, and more relaxing than dealing with airports not in the city center.
Hi Everyone
I've search the forum and whilst there are lots of posts re the various options for getting from Paris to either Biarritz or Bayonne, I can't find much information on costs.
If you caught the direct fast train from Gare Montparnasse to Bayonne, can you please let me know what the cost was (roughly)?
There are currently Easy Jet flights for 50 Euro from CDG to Biarritz.
I'm keen to know how those two options compare.
Thank you
Thanks, but we already have flights booked to Paris (we went via Madrid last time)Why not just fly into Madrid, arriving morning, walk out the door of the airport, and onto a bus to SJPP?
90% agree @t2andreo only caveat is that this journey must pass through pretty much the worst scenery in France, pancake flat and nothing but fields for the vast majority of the journey.
In the interest of full disclosure I should probably also say that I find Gare Montparnasse incredibly confusing with its multiple halls and multiple platforms with the same number.
Plus the 45 mins from Montparnasse to CDG so your right it doesn't take 5 hours. Its 5 hours 5 minsThe train doesn't take 5 hours to get to Biarritz, it's 4hr 20min
you want to get off at Bayonne not Biarritz for the connecting train to SJPdP and that comes sooner.
Wow, that's a great low price! I wish I could've hopped on one of those last month. Instead I ended up on a 12 hour night bus ride. I'm in Scotland now and already made different arrangements for my return to Paris in a week.Hi Everyone
I've search the forum and whilst there are lots of posts re the various options for getting from Paris to either Biarritz or Bayonne, I can't find much information on costs.
If you caught the direct fast train from Gare Montparnasse to Bayonne, can you please let me know what the cost was (roughly)?
There are currently Easy Jet flights for 50 Euro from CDG to Biarritz.
I'm keen to know how those two options compare.
Thank you
Plus the 45 mins from Montparnasse to CDG so your right it doesn't take 5 hours. Its 5 hours 5 mins
Hi Everyone
I've search the forum and whilst there are lots of posts re the various options for getting from Paris to either Biarritz or Bayonne, I can't find much information on costs.
If you caught the direct fast train from Gare Montparnasse to Bayonne, can you please let me know what the cost was (roughly)?
There are currently Easy Jet flights for 50 Euro from CDG to Biarritz.
I'm keen to know how those two options compare.
Thank you
Thank you, that's good adviceI think many people have recommended the train. So if that becomes your plan, since you will be staying in Paris for two days before heading south, take a half hour and walk over to the station and look around. Look for a place to buy some food and drinks before you board. The food on the train is not up to Parisian standards. Plus you will have familiarized yourself with the station layout.
And, if you wind up having a real train ticket, not a printed out ticket from an online purchase, make sure you stamp (composter is the French verb) your ticket before you board the train. The machines to stamp/composte your ticket are found at the end of each aisle leading to your train car. Ask for help on this if your ticket is a "real" ticket and not something you printed back in Oz. When I have bought my ticket online and carried a printed copy, I haven't needed to composte my ticket.
I love walking in Paris and hope you have a great time there. Same for the rest of your trip.
I just took the easyJet flight. I think the prices are pretty similar. Probably depends on what fits your schedule best.Hi Everyone
I've search the forum and whilst there are lots of posts re the various options for getting from Paris to either Biarritz or Bayonne, I can't find much information on costs.
If you caught the direct fast train from Gare Montparnasse to Bayonne, can you please let me know what the cost was (roughly)?
There are currently Easy Jet flights for 50 Euro from CDG to Biarritz.
I'm keen to know how those two options compare.
Thank you
Hi Joanne, I did Paris-Bayonne by TGV bought it in january to travel in April, wasn’t more than 40€. And from there to SJPDP was 10.10€ So it was very niceHi Everyone
I've search the forum and whilst there are lots of posts re the various options for getting from Paris to either Biarritz or Bayonne, I can't find much information on costs.
If you caught the direct fast train from Gare Montparnasse to Bayonne, can you please let me know what the cost was (roughly)?
There are currently Easy Jet flights for 50 Euro from CDG to Biarritz.
I'm keen to know how those two options compare.
Thank you
Thank you, that's good advice
Hi Glenda, as an aside to the general discussion I thought I might raise a couple of points for you to consider as I did what you are planning to do in 2016.Hi Joanne
We are starting our Camino in May next year, and coming from Brisbane are doing all these calculations. It was cheaper (and faster) for us to fly into CDG, overnight there and get the EasyJet flight to Biarritz from there the next morning.
We are transferring with Biarritz airport transfers which is the most expensive part @ E130, but if we can get sharers that will come down,
We just didn’t want to have to get to Montparnasse station from CDG (about 80 minutes in good traffic on airport shuttle), and then get the train (taking around 7 hours with changes and waiting).
Happy with the price paid for CDG to Biarritz flight at approx. 59GBP + a little for checked luggage.
Hope this helps.
Glenda
Hi PeteD,Hi Glenda, as an aside to the general discussion I thought I might raise a couple of points for you to consider as I did what you are planning to do in 2016.
The flight from Brisbane got me to CDG in the morning and I was booked into a airport hotel that night to catch the first flight out to Biarritz on EasyJet the next morning. Problem was I couldn't get into my room until after midday. Jetlagged and exhausted I had a miserable morning in the hotel lobby.
If I did it again I would continue travelling on the day I arrived, either by flight in the afternoon or transfer to TVG .
Get the travelling over in one continuous movement. If you're like most people and can't sleep on an aircraft, then I suggest getting to SJPdP asap after you arrive in France and get over the jetlag in a great location.
Hope your transit goes well
Hi PeteD,
Happily I arrive about 7.30pm, so a night’s sleep and an 11am flight to Biarritz means an easy morning. I have 2 nights booked in SJPdP to deal with jet lag.
Looking forward to it all as it gets closer.
cheers
Glenda
Another consideration if you want to maximize your time in Paris, the hoteltrain ... you get a berth/bunk in a six berth compartment, either mixed or single sex, with a clean quilted sheet, and sleep while the train takes a leisurely 10 hours to get to Bayonne.
Hi,
For those who may like this proposal : the direct night train from Paris to Bayonne/Hendaye/Irun is now something of the past, since July 2017. There is a substitute from Paris to Toulouse, Toulouse to Pau and Pau to Bayonne, i.e. not really straightforward.
These night trains have had their heydays, before they became collateral victims of the TGV.
Train to Biarritz takes 5 hours, metro from Montparnasse to CDG takes 45mins and flight takes 85 mins. If both options are same price it comes down to convenience of both travel requirements and time. I'd take the train, its a no brainer
Simply walkWhat if you choose to consider carbon footprint?
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