Shuttle Biarritz to St Jean

[Anne Mclennan]

I’m arriving in Biarritz from London at 15.35 on Wednesday 5 September. I planned to get the Express Bourricot shuttle to St Jean Pied de Port but at the moment I’m the only person so it’s expensive. Is there another way to get from Biarritz to St Jean? Or normally will many more book closer to the date?

 

[RJM]

I’m arriving in Biarritz from London at 15.35 on Wednesday 5 September. I planned to get the Express Bourricot shuttle to St Jean Pied de Port but at the moment I’m the only person so it’s expensive. Is there another way to get from Biarritz to St Jean? Or normally will many more book closer to the date?

Bus or train.

 

[mspath]

I’m arriving in Biarritz from London at 15.35 on Wednesday 5 September. I planned to get the Express Bourricot shuttle to St Jean Pied de Port but at the moment I’m the only person so it’s expensive. Is there another way to get from Biarritz to St Jean? Or normally will many more book closer to the date?

Usually the following is the norm.
From Biarritz airport (Anglet) take a Chronopost bus 14 to the BAYONNE rr station (Gare SNCF).
Travel time is roughly 30 minutes.

At Bayonne station take a regional TER line 62 train to SJPdP.

Generally there are several TER line 62 trains from Bayonne to SJPdP each day.
For current schedule see
https://www.ter.sncf.com/aquitaine
There are NO reserved seats; seating is open as on a tram or metro. The cost to SJPdP from Bayonne is about 10 euros. SJPdP is the last stop; journey time roughly 1 1/2 hours. The TER train also transports bikes.

Please note that currently, June-July 2018, the trains are perodically on strike and replaced with buses from the rr stations which travel following the train schedule.

Bon Voyage and Buen Camino!

 

[cathn]

Bus or train.

I imagine there will be more signing up for the express as this is a very popular starting time.

 

[Gbags]

Bus or train.

Hi Anne,
I’m also flying to Biarritz on Wednesday, on Easyjet, arriving at about 1535 I think from Gatwick.
I’m happy to share the cost.

 

[Gbags]

I’m arriving in Biarritz from London at 15.35 on Wednesday 5 September. I planned to get the Express Bourricot shuttle to St Jean Pied de Port but at the moment I’m the only person so it’s expensive. Is there another way to get from Biarritz to St Jean? Or normally will many more book closer to the date?

Sorry, I should have added that my name’s Graham, am 59, a brit and house trained.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

and house trained.

Does that mean that we can rely on you to buy a round for the house?

 

[RedRuby]

I've used Express Bouricott last year, they were great. They do try and pick up as many people as possible going to SJPP to make the trip cheaper. They sent me a text on arrival in Biarritz to say they would be arriving later than planned so they could pick up other people going to SJPP. My original quoted cost turned out to be significantly cheaper. On arrival in SJPP the driver showed us individually to our accommodation as well as pointing out SJPP pilgrim highlights. I highly recommend them and will use them again.

 

[Lizhk]

Last year on arriving in Biarritz my friend and I spotted three other pilgrims. Pilgrims are easily recognized-- backpacks, walking shoes, tarnished halos and looking a little dazed. By the time we cleared customs we were a Camino family. We took the bus and train as explained above and found the train tickets were half price as we were a group.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

I’m arriving in Biarritz from London at 15.35 on Wednesday 5 September. I planned to get the Express Bourricot shuttle to St Jean Pied de Port but at the moment I’m the only person so it’s expensive. Is there another way to get from Biarritz to St Jean? Or normally will many more book closer to the date?

Hi, Anne...
By the time your departure date arrives, that shuttle will be full. It is extremely unusual for it to be less than fully booked. At this time, you are far advanced from when you have scheduled EB, but as time draws closer the reservations will flock in and that shuttle will have all seats filled; even to the point where those who book only a few days to a week or so ahead will find the shuttle sold out.

So, don't worry.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Hi Anne,
I’m also flying to Biarritz on Wednesday, on Easyjet, arriving at about 1535 I think from Gatwick.
I’m happy to share the cost.

Graham, you need to make a reservation directly to Express Bouricott for transport. Here is their contact booking site:

https://www.expressbourricot.com/contact-and-booking/

 

[Gbags]

I was just planning to turn up and take the first transport, then find accommodation. Have others pre-booked their transport and bed for the night?

Graham, you need to make a reservation directly to Express Bouricott for transport. Here is their contact booking site:

https://www.expressbourricot.com/contact-and-booking/

Thanks Dave,
I’ve just applied for that EB and will hear back soon.
Would you have a recommendation for accommodation at SJPP? I want to pre-book the first night.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Gbags, there are a lot of different tastes in accommodation desires or needs. Dormitory style albergues, some may have private rooms with shared or private bathrooms, Hotels, Casa Rural style, etc. I would refer you to an online resource like booking.com to help sort out your preferences and to make a reservation.

One thing --- SJPdP is popular as a pilgrim and as a tourist destination, and September is an extremely popular month. Accommodation choices were becoming narrowed when I made my reservation two months ago for September 17. As with Express Bouricott, it is best to get your accommodations booked sooner than later.

 

[Gbags]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for your news but I’m actually heading there tomorrow, not September.
I have shuttle place booked and I’ll just scope out accommodation when I get to SJPdP.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for your news but I’m actually heading there tomorrow, not September.
I have shuttle place booked and I’ll just scope out accommodation when I get to SJPdP.

Buen camino, pilgrim.

 

[Gbags]

Hello again,

I’m now up on the Camino! Met a couple of people on the plane, couple more in SJPP and now, after our fifth day, we’re about 12 people in Estella.
It’s very hot so we get up at 0500 and walk early. Brekkie after maybe two hours when the sun gets hot. Walk on to our daily destination by about twelve or one.

Essentials in June’s: Lots of water, sun screen, wide hat, good ventilated shoes (I use Merrill’s) good quality cool max type socks, Vaseline to lube your feet up every morning, Compeed for your blisters. I use a 2 litre bladder which is great but faffy to fill. Others use bottles. Fill up every chance you get. I use soap powder to wash my kit every night. Also a muscle balm for legs. Essential oils muscle balm seems popular.

The first day is a bastard. Lots of height gain and false horizons. By Day 5 our muscles are starting to get used to it but it’s a joy to take the shoes off when you stop.

Buen Camino

 

[Deleted member 3000]

It’s very hot so we get up at 0500 and walk early.

Doesn't that break Rule 37 on some pilgrim's list of rules? "Stay in bed until I am ready to get up." I hope you did not break Rule 38 on that list by taking an afternoon nap.

false horizons

One of my top five irritants!! "Ah, I am done climbing after this curve. What? More???"

On the Le Puy route, which crosses a lot of ridge lines, you can spend the day gaining some elevation, only to go down and start up the next hill. I think one day did that five times. The route is planned for scenic outlooks, at least in part, so most of the time you cannot get higher unless you climb the tree at the crest of the hill...