Pre-book or risk it?

[Audreyvonb]

My husband and I have our travel plans booked to Biarritz, as well as a flight home from Madrid. Do people suggest pre-booking travel from Biarritz to SJPDP, as well as travel from Santiago to Madrid (we were looking at flights but how variable are those in price and availability?)

 

[Robo]

Where are you flying in from? US, UK, Australia?
Generally flights increase in price the closer you are to a departure date.
But if were flying short haul to get home you probably have more options.
We fly from Australia, so we lock in our flights to and from the European port of entry.
Then we book our travel to our start point i.e. St Jean. No reason not to.

The flight/train to our European port of exit is booked generally a week out, (a week out from finishing Camino) in case plans change.
i.e. Santiago to Madrid.

Others will have other ideas........

 

[Audreyvonb]

Where are you flying in from? US, UK, Australia?
Generally flights increase in price the closer you are to a departure date.
But if were flying short haul to get home you probably have more options.
We fly from Australia, so we lock in our flights to and from the European port of entry.
Then we book our travel to our start point i.e. St Jean. No reason not to.

The flight/train to our European port of exit is booked generally a week out, (a week out from finishing Camino) in case plans change.
i.e. Santiago to Madrid.

Others will have other ideas........

We're flying from the US and have our major flights booked. Booking a week out is a good idea!

 

[Robo]

We're flying from the US and have our major flights booked. Booking a week out is a good idea!

The challenge is that you don't really know what day you'll arrive in Santiago, as it depends on your feet!

 

[Anniesantiago]

If you know when you need to be in Madrid to fly home, I'd definitely book that flight if you're walking in the busy summer months.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

There are no reserved seats on the train from Bayonne to SJPdP, so buying in advance is not necessary. They seem to sell unlimited seats; most of the train is standing. When a bus substitutes for the train, the number of seats is limited. I don't know if they add buses, or have passengers wait for the next bus. I am not sure SNCF will answer a question on that, but you can ask them.

Trains from Santiago do sell out, so reserving a seat is a good idea. Planes fill, so if you want a flight, reserving is a good idea.

 

[trecile]

When I ended my first Camino at the end of September I was able to easily book a train to Madrid just a few days ahead. Last year when I finished in August all the trains and some of the buses were fully booked. So it does make a big difference when you are traveling.

 

[Wildandfree69]

My husband and I have our travel plans booked to Biarritz, as well as a flight home from Madrid. Do people suggest pre-booking travel from Biarritz to SJPDP, as well as travel from Santiago to Madrid (we were looking at flights but how variable are those in price and availability?)

Id book a bus to Madrid economic way to travel you can book in advance see a bit more of Spain check the timetables etc and book one that gets you in time for your longhaul flight home.....if you need to leave Santi earlier cost of coach cheaper to sacrifice or hire a car for few days or just chill theres lots of places to fill your time.Yes book Biarritz Airpory shgare shuttle I didnt know about it was full when I phoned when i landed so spent 4 hrs in transit plus taxi fare to Bayonne - station area under huge reconstruction not very inspiring or just vite the bullet if there's 2 of you and get a taxi direct. I met some lovely people whilst waiting but going to Bayonne further away than Biarritz .Happy travelling Deb

 

[tomnorth]

My husband and I have our travel plans booked to Biarritz, as well as a flight home from Madrid. Do people suggest pre-booking travel from Biarritz to SJPDP, as well as travel from Santiago to Madrid (we were looking at flights but how variable are those in price and availability?)

I booked my train trip from Santiago to Madrid once I arrived in Santiago. It wasn’t an issue at all. It was good to talk to someone at the Renfe office.

 

[Kanga]

Knowing the date and place of my long distance flight home, I usually book a flight or train to that place from Santiago. To arrive an my embarkation city the day before my flight. Because you never know - train drivers strike or the BA computers at Heathrow might go down....