• For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
  • ⚠️ Emergency contact in Spain - Dial 112 and AlertCops app. More on this here.
  • Get your Camino Frances Guidebook here.

Search 69,459 Camino Questions

LIVE from the Camino SNCF, St Jean and a silver lining

Bradypus

Migratory hermit
Time of past OR future Camino
Too many and too often!
There have been quite a few posts recently about overcrowding in the early stages of the Frances. This evening this problem extended as far back as Bayonne station. I was one of 15 passengers removed from the last train of the day before departure because numbers far exceeded capacity - even with many sitting on the floor in the areas near the carriage doors. In fairness to SNCF I should point out that it was done very politely, with clear explanations and apologies and an assurance that alternative transport would be found. In fact a fleet of four taxis were very promptly hired by SNCF and delivered us to St Jean only a few minutes after the train's arrival time.

Walking up Rue de la Citadelle I saw several "complet" signs and a significant number of rucksack-toting hopefuls zig-zagging between albergues. So I was delighted to be remembered and warmly welcomed back to Beilari and splendidly fed and housed for the night. The second time I have arrived here by taxi - the last occasion being the day I fell and suffered a prolapsed spinal disc :-( Nice to arrive in style - however unexpectedly - while still fit enough to enjoy it :)
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Transport luggage-passengers.
From airports to SJPP
Luggage from SJPP to Roncevalles
Wow. I have never heard of a similar situation in Bayonne. And kudos for the SNCF; it made both the responsible and the right thing.
I hope you can walk to Roncesvalles without more incidents than tiredness and sore feet:)
Buen camino!
 
I caught train from Bayonne on Monday at 11am and there seemed to be plenty of seats ..... Some locals ... Some pilgrims .... I didn't count but did not seem to be hoards ....

Anne
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
How is it so far Annie ?
 

Most read last week in this forum

A message has just been posted on the Facebook account of the albergue in Roncesvalles. It seems the combination of pilgrim numbers beyond their capacity and poor weather has made this a difficult...
Hello everyone, This is a cry for help. I post this on behalf of my wife, who is walking the camino at the moment. Her backpack was taken away from the reception of the albergue Benedictina's...
I’m on the Camino Frances since April 4. I just finished the Meseta and it feels unpleasantly busy and has since the beginning. No time time to smell the roses or draw much. There is a sense from...
The group running the albergue in the ruins of the San Anton monastery near Castrojeriz have announced that the albergue and the ruins will be closed from 1 May until the ruins have been made...
Hello, I'll be starting the Camino soon and there's one bit of it that worries me. The descent from Collado de Lepoeder to Roncesvalles seems quite steep (according to the Wise Pilgrim app) which...
We are in SJPP today While we were standing in line today, one of my pilgrims met 3 people from Taiwan, who could not find a bed. He said he also saw several people on their phones, frantically...

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top