Starting on 23/04/2023

[Petersalisbury59]

I’ll be travelling from England. Intending to walk most of it alone though my wife will be joining me for a week in May. Any advice on the best (cheapest) way to get to St Jean would be much appreciated

 

[Vince Rollason]

I’ll be travelling from England. Intending to walk most of it alone though my wife will be joining me for a week in May. Any advice on the best (cheapest) way to get to St Jean would be much appreciated

Hi Peter
I have been twice from SJPDP to SDC and travelled to SJPDP two different ways.

The first trip I flew from Birmingham to Paris where I stayed a couple of nights and then went by train from Montparnasse to Bayonne and then on the local train to SJPDP.

The second time I took the train from Birmingham to Stansted Airport and flew to Biarritz. From the airport it is a 20-minute bus ride to Bayonne and about a 5-minute walk from the bus to the station and again the local train to SJPDP.
I had never been to Paris before which was why I opted to go that way the first time but both times I have had a couple of days in SJPDP to acclimatise and get prepared to walk. The travel was not bad cost wise I just shopped around on the internet until I found something that suited me. I do however have the luxury of being retired. I have never booked a return trip until I arrive in SDC as I take the view it will take as long as it takes and if I run into problems I have to come home from where I am at the time (and that did happen to me on one trip). One time my family did meet me in SDC but they booked late from Stansted to SDC when they had a rough idea of my arrival date. They booked us into an AirBnB and I got there 4 days ahead of them so stayed in Roots and Boots until they arrived then joined them in the AirBnB.
Buen Camino. Vince.

 

[ChrisT]

I’ll be travelling from England. Intending to walk most of it alone though my wife will be joining me for a week in May. Any advice on the best (cheapest) way to get to St Jean would be much appreciated

Hi Peter,

I'm planning on going from the North of England at the end of February. Having looked into it, the best way for me seems to be flying Manchester to Bordeaux, train to Bayonne then train to SJPDP.

I've never done it before so will follow this thread with interest to see what the consensus is. Unlike Vince I will be operating to a schedule so the sooner I can get there and get started the better.

@Vince Rollason is SJPDP worth spending a day in before starting?

Thanks, Chris.

 

[Vince Rollason]

Hi Peter,

I'm planning on going from the North of England at the end of February. Having looked into it, the best way for me seems to be flying Manchester to Bordeaux, train to Bayonne then train to SJPDP.

I've never done it before so will follow this thread with interest to see what the consensus is. Unlike Vince I will be operating to a schedule so the sooner I can get there and get started the better.

@Vince Rollason is SJPDP worth spending a day in before starting?

Thanks, Chris.

Hi Chris

SJPDP is delightful, quaint town and well worth spending a day in. It gives you the chance to take your time getting your credential and generally get a feeling of the camaraderie. You are right at the foot of The Pyrenees and the views are wonderful. It is worth noting that that it is a goodish walk from the station to the old town and the taxis get snapped up very quickly as the train from Bayonne is quite busy. it's not onerous but a bit of a drag after a day of travelling. You can get anything you need on the main street in SJPDP but there are larger and cheaper stores on the outskirts of the town including a sports store with a good hiking section. Have a great time.
Buen Camino
Vince

 

[AllanWeaver]

I’ll be travelling from England. Intending to walk most of it alone though my wife will be joining me for a week in May. Any advice on the best (cheapest) way to get to St Jean would be much appreciated

I’m travelling from Scotland alone at the end of April & not quite at this stage of planning yet Good luck.

 

[PingPongPilgrim]

I’ll be travelling from England. Intending to walk most of it alone though my wife will be joining me for a week in May. Any advice on the best (cheapest) way to get to St Jean would be much appreciated

Hi Peter,
I'm starting the day after you. I'm getting Eurostar to Paris then fast train to Bayonne and slow train to SJPDP - start at 6 in the morning and arrive before 8pm - I can't get the French tickets for a couple of months yet but they are generally really reliable. Probably more expensive than flying but very relaxing!
Maybe we'll meet up but if not buen Camino!!

 

[Arctic_Alex]

I’ll be travelling from England. Intending to walk most of it alone though my wife will be joining me for a week in May. Any advice on the best (cheapest) way to get to St Jean would be much appreciated

Hi Peter.
Salisbury as in Wiltshire? My cousin lives in Amesbury/Durrington
Anyway, might be on a different Camino a bit later, but then arrive in Santiago roughly when you do.

Buen Camino!