train from paris to bayonne

Balisun said:

I arrive in Paris late on 3rd April. I intend to stay somewhere overnight and hopefully get a train the next day. can I go to the station and get my ticket or will I have to book in advance? I'm traveling from Indonesia.

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Balisun,

In Paris you can go directly to the Gare Montparnasse and purchase your TGV express ticket to Bayonne and a continuing local TER line 62 ticket to Saint jean Pied de Port on the day that you wish. All seats are reserved on the TGV train but not reserved on the TER local train. For French train times see this site.

Bon Voyage and Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

I`d buy the ticket in advance, online, but I am a confessed overplanner. There are 5 or 6 daily services from Paris to Bayonne, but take note that not all of them are direct. Don´t forget to "compost" or validate your ticket before boarding the train (you punch them in the little yellow devices -just do as locals do- or you may risk a fine. If you choose to buy tickets on the spot, you can do that in any "gare" or central station (there are 4 in Paris) and some metro stations, like Chatelet (close to Notre Dame).
I love trains, but another option is by plane -actually it may be cheaper, and it is obviously faster. In this case, the airport is Biarritz (BIQ), from there you take a local bus or a taxi to Bayonne, it is just a short trip.
When in Paris, don´t forget to visit the Saint Jacques square -this is where pilgrims met to start the long journey to Compostelle.
Buen camino!