• Get your Camino Frances Guidebook here.
  • 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.

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 :)
 
Join our full-service guided tour and let us convert you into a Pampered Pilgrim!
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
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
How is it so far Annie ?
 

Most read last week in this forum

Just reading this thread https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/news-from-the-camino.86228/ and the OP mentions people being fined €12000. I knew that you cannot do the Napoleon in...
La Voz de Galicia has reported the death of a 65 year old pilgrim from the United States this afternoon near Castromaior. The likely cause appears to be a heart attack. The pilgrim was walking the...
I’m heading to the Frances shortly and was going to be a bit spontaneous with rooms. I booked the first week just to make sure and was surprised at how tight reservations were. As I started making...
My first SPRINGTIME days on the Camino Francés 🎉 A couple of interesting tidbits. I just left Foncebadón yesterday. See photo. By the way, it's really not busy at all on my "wave". Plenty of...
Hello, I would be grateful for some advice from the ones of you who are walking/have recently walked from SJPdP :) 1 - How busy is the first part of the camino right now? I read some reports of a...
This is my first posting but as I look at the Camino, I worry about 'lack of solitude' given the number of people on the trail. I am looking to do the France route....as I want to have the...

❓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