travel from Madrid to St Jean pied de port

[miobob]

We are travelling from Madrid to St Jean. It looks like a train to Pamplona and then a bus to St Jean. Does anyone have suggestions? Thanks, Miobob

 

[sillydoll]

Depending on time available, you could also get a train to Hendaye and then to St Jean via Biarrtz/Bayonne.
You could also get an ALSA bus from Avenida de America bus station http://www.alsa.es There is one at 10h30 that gets you to Pamplona at 15h00
You could email Caroline at Express Buricott to arrange for a lift to St Jean from Pamplona. She carts pilgrims twice a day at about 11am and 4pm from the bus station. The cost depends on how many pilgrims are in her mini-bus but usually between 12 euro and 20 euro - which is very reasonable. apcaroline@hotmail.com
It would be worth booking a bed ahead at the albergue in St Jean as it fills up quickly and May is a very popular month. Contact Espirit du Chemin - hubertarno@espritduchemin.org, website http://www.espritduchemin.org. or http://www.aubergedupelerin.com/
If you intend walking the route Napoleon, you might want to consider booking a bed at Orisson - about 10km up the hill - so that you have a shorter first day. http://www.refuge-orisson.com/

 

[cstclare]

I am interested in traveling from Pamplona to SJPP on April 23. The cost for one person using Express Bourricot is 84 euro. Too steep for me! Is anyone interested in traveling on the same day, and we could split the fare?
Cathy

 

[Arn]

Cathy,
There are often pilgrims staying at the albergue in Pamplona that are also traveling East. Some to Roncesvalles and others to SJPDP. I would check there, if you are not already making the stop. That's how I did it.

Arn

 

[cstclare]

Thanks, Arn. Good idea.
Cathy