Teen girls-Madrid to Pamplona to SJPP

[ssolberg]

May I have suggestions for two 18 year old girls to get from Madrid to Pamplona to start their Camino in St. Jean? After their Camino, they are hoping to spend 10 days in Spain to explore some more and are considering purchasing the Spain Europass...will that get them from Madrid to Pamplona? Thank you for any help!! I may just have to do this when my daughter is done!!!

 

[vagabondette]

Depending on how long they'll be walking, the railpass may or may not work at the beginning of the trip. Most times you have x days to use it from the date of first use. Personally I know few people who have really gotten their money's worth out of a railpass vs purchasing point-to-point tickets unless they were taking night trains over long distances and even then they only got their moneys worth because they worked the system well. 10 days isn't much time. I'd suggest they pick 1-2 areas to explore after their camino and just purchase p2p tickets as they need them.

 

[skilsaw]

You don't need to go to Pamplona to get to St. Jean Pied de Port.

Talk to a travel agent about a train from Madrid up to Hendaye on the border with France and on to Bayonne and finally SJPP. In 2004 I connected with some pilgrims who made the whole trip from Madrid to SJPP on the train in one day.

I would only go through Pamplona is I was starting in Roncesvalles, but I really recommend starting in SJPP. The walk from SJPP over the Pyrenees on the first day is talked about with all the pilgrims you meet on the rest of the Camino. "Where did you start? SJPP you say, how was your first day?" It is always memorable.

Teen girls will have a terrific time with other young people on the Camino. And it is very safe if they use common sense.

Buen Camino,
David, Victoria, Canada.

 

[ssolberg]

Thank you for the advice to not go through Pamplona! They (the 18 year old teens!) tried to reserve the van from Pamplona to SJPP but its not available and they leave in 3 weeks! I will suggest they look at train from Madrid to Hendaye to Bayonne to SJPP. Any other suggestions are welcomed!!!

 

[vagabondette]

I assume they're also doing their own research right? If they're not, they really should be the ones on here asking questions and reading information otherwise it's really not going to do them any good if you know all about it and they don't...

 

[na2than]

the eurail/interrail website is a gold mine of info.it should be purchased before they leave ...you still have time.There are so many options now...but as pointed out spanish trains are cheap. I used the months unlimited travel anumber of summers to explore europe...generally doing grand loop.Paris to barcalona....then along the med to nice...then venice then finish in the greek islands....sun tan till i run out of cash saving the last cash for a coach ticket home.most nights we slept on trains..and explored during the day. i recommend the puddle jumpers that go from the French border and follow the coast all the way to malaga.

get the girls engaged in the research...something they may read may sink into thier subconsious and be of real help on the trip...if only something simple like diaper pins instead of clothes pegs

 

[FaithandGratitude]

Dont worry about your girls, Solberg - my 18 y/o niece is on the Camino right now; she's walked from Pamplona and will end up at Leon so 100's of miles - no training, research or even proper shoes; she and her mate just fell into it having met other young pilgrims at a hostel in Pamplona. She is having the time of her life - this is a girl whose fave pastimes are 'partying' and sleeping - she's now walking up to 30kms a day, getting up at 5am and carrying a pack! Incredible. Im very proud - your daughter and friend will have a blast and be surrounded by other young ones plus the oldies in hostels so safe and happy.

 

[ssolberg]

Dear Faith and Gratitude...thank you for your kind post. !! They graduated high school on Wednesday and leave a week from Monday...they are ready (and yes, did most of their research but did need to some help navigating the train websites (Renfe!!)...

Very proud and probably abit jealous of their spontaniety and courage...perhaps, I will go someday too!

 

[Sagalouts]

Dear Faith and Gratitude...thank you for your kind post. !! They graduated high school on Wednesday and leave a week from Monday...they are ready (and yes, did most of their research but did need to some help navigating the train websites (Renfe!!)...

Very proud and probably abit jealous of their spontaniety and courage...perhaps, I will go someday too!

ssolberg
now your on the forum,I think your own Camino maybe sooner than you think
Ian

 

[FaithandGratitude]

You are most welcome Ssolberg! And you will come on the Camino one day, I am pretty certain about it I begin my first Camino Frances from SJPP this mid September :wink: . We are all connected at some point through this ancient pathway. My thoughts are with your girls for a wonderful beginning to their adult lives.