travel advice

[stevie.]

I am flying to Alicante, and wondered if anyone knows how far the airport is from the bus station or train station and also whether or not their is more than one bus or train daily to Pamplona and/or Roncesvalles from Alicante, as I plan to start my pilgrimage from Roncesvalles. Hopefully someone will be able to advice me as the bus/train timetable online is not clear at all. Thanks Stevie

 

[sillydoll]

Hello Stevie,
There are buses from the Airport at Alicante to Pamplona.
There is one that leaves at 8h15 and arrives in Pamplona at 18h15 - costs 31,91 €
And another that leave at 20:20 and arrives at 05:35
Check out the Bilman Bus Company - http://www.bilmanbus.es/

From Pamplona you can get the 6pm bus to Roncesvalles, or email Caroline at Express Burricot who collects pilgrims every day from the bus station and takes them to Roncesvalles and St Jean in her mini-bus taxi. She charges according to the number in her taxi.

 

[stevie.]

thank you for finding that out for me.seems the hardest thing is getting on the the route .i,m looking forward to it.2 weeks this year and 2 nxt.
keep the faith steven.

 

[sillydoll]

Stevie - I would recommend taking the overnight bus so that you don't have to fork out for hotels either end. You could have a nice cup of hot chocolat in Pamplona, have a look around, and then get a lift to Roncesvalles with Caroline around 11am. email her to book a seat at: apcaroline@hotmail.com
If you can get there early, it would be really worthwhile walking 3km up the road to the Ibaneta Pass where the road route and the Route Napoleon merge. Here you can see the monument to Roland and stunning views into France.
Back at Roncesvalles, have a look for the mason signs in the stones next to the doorway that leads into the museum. At the field to the left of the church you will see the remaining walls of the original hospice, which was demolished in the 1600’s. Some of the stones were recycled to build the collegiate church and these are the stones with signs carved into them. The cobbled street you walk on was built where the enclosing wall used to stand.
There is a lovely statue of Santiago Peregrino in the church with a faded painting of a Pelican underneath the statue. The Pelican legend was adopted into Christianity around the 2nd century and appears in the Physiologus, a Christian adaptation of popular animal legends and symbols.
According to the legend, in a time of famine a mother pelican would peck her own breast to draw blood to give to her chicks. Thus the pelican symbol in Christianity, also called Pelican-in-her-piety, symbolizes the sacrifice of Christ on the cross (because he gave his blood for others) as well as the Eucharist (because it represents Christ's blood and provides spiritual nourishment).
The pilgrim office in Roncesvalles closes between 1pm and 4pm so you might have time to register and get a slip for your bed before they close.

 

[stevie.]

I THINK I WILL TAKE THE NIGHT BUS AT 8.20 P.M ON THE FRIDAY NIGHT .DO YOU THINK I HAVE TO BOOK IT; OR JUST HOPE ITS QUIET? LIKE THAT INFO ABOUT THE PELICAN.

omnia possibilia sunt credenti EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE FOR ANYONE WHO HAS FAITH....

 

[sillydoll]

When are you travelling Stevie? If it is soon, I would book a seat. You can do so on the website.

 

[ivar]

When are you travelling Stevie? If it is soon, I would book a seat. You can do so on the website.

As of today I can reserve seats on more than 23 bus companies in Spain, among them Bilman Bus Company. If you need help, just let me know.

Saludos,
Ivar

 

[sillydoll]

My apologies Ivar! We are going to have to get used to all the services you offer!

 

[ivar]

My apologies Ivar! We are going to have to get used to all the services you offer!

No apologies! Since it was new today, I just thought i would let everyone know that I can now book buses as well. Many feel like they would like to book things themselves (in this case directly on the bus company website), and that is fine. But for those that would like some help to get things booked, I am here to help.

Saludos,
Ivar

 

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Bourricot Express by Caroline way forward

 

[stevie.]

get in 2 alicante fri morning on 8 th may . my dad stays in benidorm so i will spend the day with him and get night bus at 20.20 hrs .... i,ll take your advice and book the bus...ta as they say in scotland

 

[stpatricksbhoy]

stevie,awra best from a fellow Scot.
Buen Camino,
stpatricksbhoy.