SJPDP via Santander/Bilbao

[Teej41]

Hi

I'm planning to start my first Camino from SJPDP sometime in mid September.

As yet I have made no firm travel plan. I had considered (1) budget airlines to Biarritz then SJPDP via Bayonne but I'm put off by the barrage of restrictions that are involved in getting the backpack on board. My backpack would also have to go in the hold and the small but finite chance of it getting 'lost' en route has put me right off this means of travel. In order to keep my eyes on my backpack for the entire outward journey I then considered going via rail. From the UK it's a straightforward matter to travel to London, catch the Eurostar to Paris and then take the TGV onward to Bayonne/Biarritz. But of course we now have the SNCF strike.

However there is a possible alternative. As I live very close to Portsmouth (UK), there are several ferries per week that go to either of Bilbao or Santander. It takes a rather relaxing and bohemian 25 hours! The internet indicates that there is a coach that departs Santander at about 18:00 on certain days of the week which arrives in Bayonne at about 22:00. Does anyone have any experience of this means of getting to Bayonne? or any other alternative routes from Santander/Bilbao to SJPDP?

I know that in Santander or Bilbao I would be ideally situated for the Camino del Norte, but I'd prefer to do the Camino Frances as my first Camino.

Many Thanks.

 

[mspath]

See more re ferry links here--
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/england-santiago-2016.37677/

See more possibilities with time, costs and tcket agents in
www.Rome2Rio.com.


Good luck and Buen camino!

 

[Teej41]

See more re ferry links here--
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/england-santiago-2016.37677/

See more possibilities with time, costs and tcket agents in
www.Rome2Rio.com.


Good luck and Buen camino!

See more re ferry links here--
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/england-santiago-2016.37677/

See more possibilities with time, costs and tcket agents in
www.Rome2Rio.com.


Good luck and Buen camino!

Many Thanks for that.

 

[Montana Jayne]

Many Thanks for that.

We left SdC via bus for Santander where we relaxed for a few days. We then took the ferry to Plymouth, UK and it was a good way to process our camino. Nice way to travel too.

 

[Tia Valeria]

We have always used the ferry (Plymouth to Santander and return). There is good transport from Santander, bus or FEVE, but do check the ferry arrival times and allow for disembarking. We walked from Santander, or took the FEVE, westwards not east so cannot comment on that specifically.
One other advantage is that if you book the ferry return trip and at least 3 nights in a Brittany Ferries listed hotel then it can work our cheaper than just the return ferry fare*. Also becomes a 'package holiday' and is ABTA protected. Worth a phone call to Brittany Ferries. We booked into the Rosa Rosae in Santiago, allowing enough days after to return to Santander for our ferry, using bus and FEVE.

*Hotels do not have to be all in one place or consecutive nights, but must be booked with the ferry crossing to qualify for any reduced rate.