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Traveling from Barcelona to SJPdP by Train

CameraHiker

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Time of past OR future Camino
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Hi all, I'm looking at traveling to SJPdP from Barcelona this March because I found an airline ticket for only 39,000 miles into Barcelona. I was thinking of taking a train via Barcelona-Narbonne-Toulouse-Bayonne- St Jean Pied de Port since I'll be starting mid-March and that might be a little too early season. Or do you think it would be better to for me to take the train to Pamplona and the bus the rest of the way? I have checked Rio2Rome and via train, it is similar time-wise to the train/bus and really not all that more expensive.

[EDIT] I forgot to add, will I need a separate EU Covid passport to travel through France or will I be able to use Spains SpTH Covid passport for travel outside of Spain?

Thanks for your tips on this!
 
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It would greatly simplify your itinerary to just start in Pamplona. This is what my wife and I did on our first Camino. You could then use the extra days to walk to Finisterre.

Perhaps like you, I originally thought that SJdPP was somehow the designated starting point for the Camino Francés. But that is really not the case. It's more of a notional starting point popularized by the movie The Way. And note that the route over the Pyrenees hiked by the characters in that movie will not be open in mid-March.

Good luck with your logistical challenge and enjoy your Camino no matter where it starts.
 
Truly make the start of your Camino easier and safer - bus/train from Barcelona to Pamplona and start walking from there. The Pyrenees in March can be extremely dangerous due to snow/ice/cold and even walking the Valcarlos will be extremely unpleasant if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Your possible itenarary through Frnace may look good on paper, but it’s rife with the possibility of delays, missed connections, the need for additional Covid paperwork/tests, and so on.
 
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If you still have a desire to walk from SJPdP, why not train to Pamplona? Stay overnight. Find out about the weather forecast and conditions along the lower route via Valcarlos to Roncevalles as well as continuing down to Zubiri!
Going via Pamplona gives you flexibility. In March, you should be able to find accommodations without pre booking. So going to Pamplona allows you to make the most informed decision regarding your route. Buen Camino!
 
I took the bus from Pamplona to SJPP in September 2021, and there was no requirement for the EU COVID Passport. I flew into Madrid from the US, and my vaccination certificate (uploaded to the Spain Travel Health, aka SpTH app) was all that was required then.

That said, as others have mentioned the Route Napoleon will still be closed in March. I believe it opens in mid April. The bus did make a stop in Roncesvalles on the way to SJPP, so starting there is another option if you take the train to Pamplona from Barcelona.
 
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trevorcc said:
take the train from Barcelona straight to Pamplona and then bus to Roncevalles.
Click to expand...
Technically, it’s Barcelona to Zaragoza, then a change of trains to Pamplona. 4 hours or so, if you time it right. But still faster than wandering through France
 
I think it was the Irun train we took from Barcelona, goes straight through with no change to Pamplona.
 
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In Fall of 2021, we could not find such a train route despite numerous attempts online and at a Renfe ticket machine. . Maybe a victim of Covid or it’s seasonal?
 
According to the renfe schedule pthere are more than one train a day direct from Barcelona Sants to Pamplona/Irun in March 2022.
 
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Thank goodness! Hopefully the decreased services during Covid are a thing of the past!
 
Vacajoe said:
Technically, it’s Barcelona to Zaragoza, then a change of trains to Pamplona. 4 hours or so, if you time it right. But still faster than wandering through France
Click to expand...
Not the train I took.
 
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I have another option , Barcelona has some sights to see in the area and could be a good place to rest after the flight. One would be a trail to Montserrat monestary . It itself is a Camino and has a trail to its heights . Or take a bus , can’t remember the distance but about 20-30 miles.then I believe it continues on to Java on the Arrogones way. I have not walked from Monterrsat but enjoyed the Aragonnes way from Toulosse. I would disagree that SJPP is not the beginning to the Spanish Camino . From there you walk the entire Spanish Way. While walking in Spain the majority of walkers start there and consider it the “whole way”. I walked over the Napoleon route in April once and concerning but what views . I guess you can wait to see the weather but at least start at Roncevalles .
 
No doubt, The Way has had an impact on The Camino.

But I am wondering if your take on the popularity of starting at SJdPP is true.

I had been under the impression that starting at SJdPP was more or less equally popular before the movie and after.

Some stats on this would be interesting.
 
We took the train to Pamplona from Barcelona and then used the services of Express Bourricot. A luggage and transport service. Met at the airport but can meet anywhere they or you suggest. Shared with another 4 people and cost about 20€ each. https://www.expressbourricot.com/
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
In my opinion, the best stage of the Camino Frances is from SJPP to Roncevalles and should not be missed. There are many other wonderful vistas throughout the 800km walk but there is only only opportunity on the Frances to cross from France to Spain over the Pyrenees. That said, the Napoleon route is closed until March 31 leaving the Valcarlos route as the option if you start at SJPP. I’d strongly encourage the start in SJPP or you will always be second guessing yourself on what you are missing.
 
More than correct
 
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