Travel to Irún

[lt56ny]

Hi all. Tried to find this information but didn’t see it. I will do The Norte hopefully this September. Looking at flights to Madrid and Barcelona. They seem to be about the same distance. Is there a train or bus I could take from either airport that can get me to Irún or San Sebastián without having to go into either city? I have been to both cities before and need to start my Camino soon after I arrive. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Tincatinker]

ALSA has a bus from Barajas T4 direct to Irun. Roughly 3 a day but that is two early in the day & one late that arrives in Irun at 3 in the morning.

The fastest route from either is to fly to San Sebastian.

Rome2rio is the best source for alternatives. https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Madrid-Airport-MAD/Irun

 

[Former member 60103]

Good luck on the Norte.
I do not know where you are flying from but if from UK may be worth considering (if you can fly direct)
Bordeaux, overnight there, then take the train direct to Irun which when I did it year before last was something like 23 euros and 5 hours travel.
Whatever route you decide, it's all part of the adventure.
Buen Camino,
Don.

 

[Deleted member 39850]

Hi all. Tried to find this information but didn’t see it. I will do The Norte hopefully this September. Looking at flights to Madrid and Barcelona. They seem to be about the same distance. Is there a train or bus I could take from either airport that can get me to Irún or San Sebastián without having to go into either city? I have been to both cities before and need to start my Camino soon after I arrive. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

What about a flight into Bordeaux or Biarritz and then the train to Irun? I did Irun to Bordeaux as part of my return from Santiago last time. It was a lovely rain ride and at Irun you can decide to start walking or take the train to San Sebastián.
Ultreia!

 

[lt56ny]

Sorry I should have mentioned that. I will be flying in from Mexico. I was checking flights only into Spain. I haven't checked to London. Iberia was about $250 less into Madrid than the flights into Paris are. Flying into secondary cities will make the prices a lot more. That is why I was thinking Madrid and than train or bus it up to Irun. Would like to do it all in one trip then get a cheap pension and sleep for a day or two and start walking.

 

[Jan_D]

Vueling offers direct flights from Barcelona to San Sebastian for as little as €24 in September. The airport is actually in Irun, not San Sebastian (the bus takes 4 minutes to get from the airport to Irun centre, you can check on Google maps). There are 2 flights per day, early morning (6:50-8am) and afternoon (16:40-17:50).

Otherwise Tincatinker's advice about getting the bus from Madrid T4 is probably the best option (although it takes around 6 hours). Or maybe check for other combinations on "Rome2Rio.com"?

 

[lt56ny]

Vueling offers direct flights from Barcelona to San Sebastian for as little as €24 in September. The airport is actually in Irun, not San Sebastian (the bus takes 4 minutes to get from the airport to Irun centre, you can check on Google maps). There are 2 flights per day, early morning (6:50-8am) and afternoon (16:40-17:50).

Otherwise Tincatinker's advice about getting the bus from Madrid T4 is probably the best option (although it takes around 6 hours). Or maybe check for other combinations on "Rome2Rio.com"?

Thanks that is the best news of the day!!!!!

 

[Pong]

Have you checked on flights from your home airport directly to Bilbao? Flights to smaller cities are not always more expensive. Last year I started the Norte in Irún, flying to Bilbao. Those flights (from Boston, USA) were cheaper than those to Madrid! And, it's an easy bus from the Bilbao airport to the Termibus station in Bilbao, then a bus from there to Irún. If Madrid (or Barcelona) is cheaper, (which it is for me this year), consider a flight from to Bilbao, or San Sebastian (as Jan D. suggested) booked as a separate ticket from your transatlantic flight. Then the bus to Irún. Just be sure to leave plenty of time between those flights in case of delays. I will be doing just that (flights Boston- Madrid, then Madrid- Bilbao) next month. The flight I booked from Madrid to Bilbao was not expensive at all and will save me lots of time if all goes according to schedule. It was quite a bit less expensive than booking Boston directly to Bilbao. I also booked a separate ticket from Santiago to Madrid the day before I fly back to the states. Again, very inexpensive. Worth checking out. I wish you Buen Camino. Enjoy the wonderful people, the wonderful food, and the wonder scenery of the Norte!

 

[camino07]

We flew into Barcelona,had prebooked train straight to Irun. The train went through San Sebastion on the way.