planes and trains

[Paula P]

Looking for advice! We are flying into CDG this summer and landing at terminal 2E around 6am. Is there any hope of making it to the TGV train leaving at 8am for Bayonne? We have reservations made in St Jean Pied de Port for that night. Was really hoping to avoid having to get to Montparnasse station to catch the train there but I realize we might not have enough time to get through passport, customs etc. We will not have any baggage to pick up and I believe the TGV station at CDG is also in terminal 2E.

Also since the train schedules are not out for that time yet, I am basing this on current schedules. Perhaps there will be more trains available in the summer months?

 

[trecile]

How about flying to Biarritz instead? Make sure that you have several hours between flights - when booking this far out there's a high likelihood that one or both flights will change times.

From Biarritz you can use Express Bourricot's shuttle.

Passengers tranport on the way of Saint James | Trip from Biarritz to St Jean pied de port

Transporting people around the Way of Saint James. Trips from Biarritz to St Jean Pied De Port to Roncesvalles, and the whole pilgrimage region

www.expressbourricot.com

 

[Grousedoctor]

Hey Paula. I’ve done a similar thing that you hope to do. First, arriving at 6 am is the best time. The couple of times I’ve been in that early to CDG, I’ve had no difficulty getting through immigration quickly. However, with that said, it doesn’t mean it will always be that way. The biggest problem will be whether or not the plane is on time is on time. If on time, two hours should be enough time at that time of day to catch the TGV to Bayonne.

Making the connections can be most stressful. What I prefer to do, besides the early morning arrival into CDG, is to go to the Montparnasse station to catch a later train there. It’s really not much of a hassle considering the excellent bus and metro systems in Paris. That early in the morning, you can get downtown pretty quickly. I’d suggest catching the 10:08 train to Bayonne where you can then connect to the regional rail into SJPP and still be in there good time in the afternoon.

 

[lt56ny]

Looking for advice! We are flying into CDG this summer and landing at terminal 2E around 6am. Is there any hope of making it to the TGV train leaving at 8am for Bayonne? We have reservations made in St Jean Pied de Port for that night. Was really hoping to avoid having to get to Montparnasse station to catch the train there but I realize we might not have enough time to get through passport, customs etc. We will not have any baggage to pick up and I believe the TGV station at CDG is also in terminal 2E.

Also since the train schedules are not out for that time yet, I am basing this on current schedules. Perhaps there will be more trains available in the summer months?

If you are not under a completely rigid schedule with no room to change things, why don't you just change your reservation for the next night in St. Jean and take your time and not have to stress. Sleep in Bayonne. It is a lovely place and get up and go to St. Jean the next day. You can easily spend a leisurely day there and be even better rested for the trek over the mountain.

 

[pepi]

The Camino starts when you leave your house – some even say it begins when you start thinking about it. My point is: What's the rush? Get into the spirit and mindset of the Camino. A stop in Paris and/or – what I warmly recommend – one in beautiful Bayonne? A leisurely dinner al fresco along the Niva river?
(Getting over the jetlag at the same time.)
Folks, give all those wonderful, never to return experiences a chance by letting them happen.

 

[Turga]

Folks, give all those wonderful, never to return experiences a chance by letting them happen.

Some folks have obligations, some are on a schedule, some are on a budget, some have other considerations, and still they can have wonderful experiences....

 

[pepi]

Some folks have obligations, some are on a schedule, some are on a budget, some have other considerations, and still they can have wonderful experiences....

The motto of this forum is "Where past pilgrims share, and future pilgrims learn".

 

[Marbe2]

I would personally be stressed with the time frame you are are suggesting. If everything is on time, you would likely make it. If not, you will be stressed. For what? Take the later tain. Give yourself extra time and start out more relaxed!

Also consider that the cheaper train tickets usually are non refundable. So if you had one and missed the train ,you would have to buy another one at a much more expensive rate that day.

 

[Paula P]

Thank you for all the advice and responses. We will look into a train ticket (when available!) that is refundable and/or transferrable and have Montparnasse trains as our backup plan. Good to know that it wouldn't be that difficult to get there from CDG.

We absolutely love the planning stage when thinking about any travel plans! I certainly know that things can go awry and plans might have to be changed. We are not very spontaneous people and maybe this camino will be the thing that helps us with that! For sure, it will be a unique experience and we are so excited at the prospect of spending so much time in another culture and place of beauty!

 

[tjz]

I have very fond memories of landing on a rainy day in Paris, catching the metro to the Eiffel Tower / Champs de Mars and walking from there to the Gare Montparnasse to catch the train to Bayonne and from there to St. Jean Pied de Port. Lots of moving pieces, but it all worked out fine, and we had a fun time doing it.

That said, I think your chances are good, but not certain to make it through immigration and catch the TGV at CDG at that time of day. Last Spring in CDG I think we were through immigration in a matter of minutes. That is not always the case of course.

 

[littlegreen60]

The Camino starts when you leave your house – some even say it begins when you start thinking about it. My point is: What's the rush? Get into the spirit and mindset of the Camino. A stop in Paris and/or – what I warmly recommend – one in beautiful Bayonne? A leisurely dinner al fresco along the Niva river?
(Getting over the jetlag at the same time.)
Folks, give all those wonderful, never to return experiences a chance by letting them happen.

Oh my goodness, that is exactly how I feel...like my Camino has already begun. I feel like I am there in some way already, and I haven't even purchased my tickets yet!

 

[Goyo]

Looking for advice! We are flying into CDG this summer and landing at terminal 2E around 6am. Is there any hope of making it to the TGV train leaving at 8am for Bayonne? We have reservations made in St Jean Pied de Port for that night. Was really hoping to avoid having to get to Montparnasse station to catch the train there but I realize we might not have enough time to get through passport, customs etc. We will not have any baggage to pick up and I believe the TGV station at CDG is also in terminal 2E.

Also since the train schedules are not out for that time yet, I am basing this on current schedules. Perhaps there will be more trains available in the summer months?

Be prepared with a plan B. I realize you aren’t flying till summer, but transportation strikes in France are as common as croissants. Currently there is a great debate over changing the retirement age in France, and it has led to protests and strikes by a wide range of workers unions, students, regular folks and the bored and restless. Who knows how long it will continue, but the Yellow Vest protests, tho’ mostly weekend affairs, went on for quite a spell. It just pays to have a backup. Best to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it. Suerte y buen camino!

 

[naplesdon]

France, not the place to be doing any travel early in February 2023.

 

[Former member 102963]

Be prepared with a plan B. I realize you aren’t flying till summer, but transportation strikes in France are as common as croissants. Currently there is a great debate over changing the retirement age in France, and it has led to protests and strikes by a wide range of workers unions, students, regular folks and the bored and restless. Who knows how long it will continue, but the Yellow Vest protests, tho’ mostly weekend affairs, went on for quite a spell. It just pays to have a backup. Best to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it. Suerte y buen camino!

Seems to be a huge amount of strikes across European countries at the moment, some of which impact travel. France, Spain, UK and many others. Seems to be very similar issues across European countries, in fact, many countries globally. Many sectors, some of which impact travel, either travel companies themselves, or services, such as border force. It gonna be a lively year I think! Its quite hard to plan around and of course many planned strikes don’t happen. Tends to be a ‘workround’ in most situations as long as you can be fleet of foot and build some flexibility in, both time and money!!

The big upside is of course that Europe is so well connected transport wise, getting north to south or even east to west can often be just a cheap and short flight away so don’t despair!!

 

[Goyo]

France, not the place to be doing any travel early in February 2023.

France is always a place to be, but I am verrry biased. Cada quien su veneno…