Starting April 28

[Helen]

Hi all: I will be hiking the Camino starting at St Jean Pied de Port on April 29th. I only have 3 weeks and will cover as much territory as I can. I have decided that I will have to do the complete hike in two trips (maybe next year for part two?). I have no idea whether I am well prepared or not, but I guess that is part of the adventure. I am flying in to Madrid on April 28th and plan to take the overnight train from Madrid to St. Jean Pied de Port. Anyone else?

 

[sillydoll]

Hello Helen,
[I am flying in to Madrid on April 28th and plan to take the overnight train from Madrid to St. Jean Pied de Port. Anyone else?]

I do not think that there is a train from Madrid to St Jean Pied de Port. You might have to take a bus or train to Pamplona. Then a bus or taxi to Roncesvalles and then a taxi to St Jean Pied de Port. (Express Burricot taxi will take you to St Jean) 06-61-96-04-76 or book ahead: Email: apcaroline@hotmail.com

If you are fit and a regular walker you could walk 10 days to ± Burgos: skip 5 days across the meseta and start again at Astorga to walk the last 10 days so that you get your compstela.

Whatever you decide, have a good camino.
[/quote]

 

[Helen]

Madrid to SJPP

Thanks for the alternative, Sil.

My overnight train information was a little misleading -- the info I found on-line included 2 train changes. The overnight part was from Madrid to Hendaya. The Hendaya to Bayonne, then Bayonne to SJPP. Must admit, I am a little concerned about the safety of the overnight leg and whether or not I will know to get off at the right places, since I don't speak Spanish....

Your route sounds a little easier and may save me some time....likely cost about the same too.

Thanks,
Helen

 

[Peter Robins]

you won't need Spanish in either Hendaye or Bayonne, as they're both in France

And you won't have a problem with knowing to get off at Hendaye, as trains don't go any further. Spain is on a different gauge from everyone else, so everyone has to get off at the border and on to a different train. The Irun-Hendaye stretch is laid with both gauges, so French trains can go through to Irun and Spanish ones to Hendaye. The only through train is the Paris-Madrid Trenhotel, which has special adjustable axles.

 

[marktqm]

Hi Helen,

I'll also be starting from SJPP either on Apr 28 or 29, depending on how well I recover from the expected jet lag. I'm landing in Bilbao but will be going by bus to Hendaye, then taking the same train to Bayonne and SJPP. Maybe our paths will cross (converge?) sometime on the camino.

Mark TQM