Travelling from Manchester, England to SJPDP - advice?

[MartinBryant]

I live near Manchester in north-west England and there seem to be a few options for getting to SJPDP.
1 - Direct flight to Bilbao, then bus and train to SJPDP
2 - Connecting flights to London, then Biarritz, then bus to Bayonne and train to SJPDP
3 - Direct flight to Paris and train to Bayonne and train to SJPDP
Does anybody have any suggestions as to the best way to get to SJPDP?
Many thanks!

 

[Bradypus]

Your cheapest and quickest option might be Manchester - Charleroi - Biarritz with Ryanair. Depends a lot on when you travel. If you are travelling next month for example you can make the journey in just over 5 hours for £64.

Edit: Forget the above - or keep it in reserve as a plan B You are probably better off going via Bilbao! Excellent place to stop for a day if you have the time. There is a good local train service to Irun and Hendaye where you can catch a local French train to Bayonne then another to SJPDP. There are also ALSA buses from Bilbao to Irun. It does mean a few changes of train but that just adds to the fun.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

2 - Connecting flights to London, then Biarritz, then bus to Bayonne and train to SJPDP

That would be my choice. I always prefer to fly into Biarritz.

However, instead of a bus and then a train to get to SJPdP, I would have an Express Bouricott shuttle meet me at the Biarritz airport for the 40 minute ride into St Jean.

 

[MisterH]

I would reccomend option 2. There seem to be problems with unpredictable strikes affecting train service in France. Express Bouricott shuttle is an excellent connection to Saint Jean from Biarritz.

 

[Donjek]

1. Biarritz - Chronoplus bus from Airport to Gare Bayonne.

2. Bilbao - PESA bus from Loiu Airport to San Sebastian. Renfe Cercanias to Irun Renfe. Cross the tracks to Irun Colon Metro. Metro Donostialdea from Colon to Gare d'Hendaye. SNCF train from Gare d'Hendaye to Bayonne and Bayonne to SJPdP. There is hourly Txik Txak bus from Gare d'Hendaye to Place de Basques, about a km from Gare Bayonne.

Choice of 1 or 2 depending on price, schedule, and convenience of transfers.

Buses and trains tend to travel on time. Planes always seem to arrive late. Evening planes to Biarritz tend to get there too late to catch the last train to SJPdP.

I wouldn't consider Paris route at all.

 

[NorthernLight]

Walk, ferry, walk.



Play with rome2rio.com for variations?

 

[vlogan]

Five years ago I flew to Bilbao, bus from airport to Bilbao bus terminal, stayed at a hotel close to bus terminal, next morning a bus to Bayonne, then bus (train line was being repaired) to SJPdP.

 

[GaryPeacock]

I live near Manchester in north-west England and there seem to be a few options for getting to SJPDP.
1 - Direct flight to Bilbao, then bus and train to SJPDP
2 - Connecting flights to London, then Biarritz, then bus to Bayonne and train to SJPDP
3 - Direct flight to Paris and train to Bayonne and train to SJPDP
Does anybody have any suggestions as to the best way to get to SJPDP?
Many thanks!

I've travelled from Leeds to Stanstead by train, Fly to Biarritz, bus from Airport to Bayonne station 1 euro, and then train to SJPDP.
I've also travlled from Leeds to Manchester by Train, flew to Bilbao, got the bus to Pamplona, then Pamplona to to Bayonne ?(all Alsa Bus).
Whichever way you do it, it will incur an overnight somewhere, whether it be UK (near Stanstead) or Bilbao then onto France the next day.
Bilbao to Pamplona 2 hours
Pamplona to Bayonne 2.5 hours.

Buen Camino...enjoy it

 

[TonyC]

We live in Halifax, very close to Manchester, and have started both of our Camino Frances journeys by train.

Not particularly cheap, but a very relaxing way to start.

We've used intercity to London, overnight there, followed by Eurostar to Paris and TGV to Bayonne for another overnight. The next day by the little local train to SJPDP. Had our first albergue stay in SJPDP and off the next day.

Overall a very relaxed start to the following 5-6 weeks of activity.

More realistically, the flights to Bilbao are overall much cheaper.

Seeing as we live fairly close together and you're listed as a new member if you think that we could help in anyway drop me a PM, and we could perhaps have a chat. We've found the Camino Frances (twice) from SJPDP and the Portuguese from Lisbon plus several similar long routes in northern England.

 

[tpmchugh]

I live near Manchester in north-west England and there seem to be a few options for getting to SJPDP.
1 - Direct flight to Bilbao, then bus and train to SJPDP
2 - Connecting flights to London, then Biarritz, then bus to Bayonne and train to SJPDP
3 - Direct flight to Paris and train to Bayonne and train to SJPDP
Does anybody have any suggestions as to the best way to get to SJPDP?
Many thanks!

Stanstead to Biarritz with Ryanair then Bouricott taxi to St Jean... easiest to my mind. There is also Luton to Biarritz with Easyjet

 

[kerdi]

I live near Manchester in north-west England and there seem to be a few options for getting to SJPDP.
1 - Direct flight to Bilbao, then bus and train to SJPDP
2 - Connecting flights to London, then Biarritz, then bus to Bayonne and train to SJPDP
3 - Direct flight to Paris and train to Bayonne and train to SJPDP
Does anybody have any suggestions as to the best way to get to SJPDP?
Many thanks!

Hi
Another approach could be train.
We used it to get from Middlesbrough to Santander to walk on the Camino del Norte last September.
We arrived the night before in Londo, stayed for the (short) night in the cheapest and closest Hotel we could find.
Then we took the 06:18 Eurostar to Paris. Arrival 09:47, then Metro from Gare du Nort to Gare de Montparnasse (Metro tickets can be purchased in the restaurant car on the Eurostar.
Then the 11:47 TGV High speed train 8537 to Hendaye, Stop at about 16:00 in Bayonne (one stop before Biarritz. The train went then on to Hendaye arrival at 16:37) Check the current time tables! If you get a direct service it will be 4:39 hours and cost somewhere between £45 to 80 depending on the service.
You could the take the Train/Bus from Bayonne station to SJPDP, I think there are three trains at 7:52, 12:00 and 18:00 and they cost about 5 Euro. Also early morning bus at 06:30. A replacement bus service might run and the bus station is next to the railway station.
I myself did not take the taxi, but the bus replacement service from Bayonne in 2013.
If you did not book accomodation in advance: the pilgrims office in SJPDP used to stay open until the pilgrims from the evening train arrived. They helped me with ad hoc accomodation. An incredible good start for the pilgrimage

Whatever you choose, enjoy your pilgrimage.
Buen Camino
Kaj

 

[Sixwheeler]

Take the train and feel magnificently smug. www.seat61.com for all information.

 

[mmmmartin]

Taking the bus from Biarritz airport to Bayonne railway station costs €1 and takes 20 minutes, then it's an easy train journey to SJPdP. The much-touted taxi option is great of there are a few of you to share the cost but otherwise costs a lot.

 

[kerdi]

I've travelled from Leeds to Stanstead by train, Fly to Biarritz, bus from Airport to Bayonne station 1 euro, and then train to SJPDP.
I've also travlled from Leeds to Manchester by Train, flew to Bilbao, got the bus to Pamplona, then Pamplona to to Bayonne ?(all Alsa Bus).
Whichever way you do it, it will incur an overnight somewhere, whether it be UK (near Stanstead) or Bilbao then onto France the next day.
Bilbao to Pamplona 2 hours
Pamplona to Bayonne 2.5 hours.

Buen Camino...enjoy it

Hi
There is also a direct bus from Bilbao Termibus bus terminal to Bayonne

 

[man.grangeburn]

We live in Halifax, very close to Manchester, and have started both of our Camino Frances journeys by train.

Not particularly cheap, but a very relaxing way to start.

We've used intercity to London, overnight there, followed by Eurostar to Paris and TGV to Bayonne for another overnight. The next day by the little local train to SJPDP. Had our first albergue stay in SJPDP and off the next day.

Overall a very relaxed start to the following 5-6 weeks of activity.

More realistically, the flights to Bilbao are overall much cheaper.

Seeing as we live fairly close together and you're listed as a new member if you think that we could help in anyway drop me a PM, and we could perhaps have a chat. We've found the Camino Frances (twice) from SJPDP and the Portuguese from Lisbon plus several similar long routes in northern England.

Hi there

Using RailEurope website and a date well in advance, reveals the following price for Manchester to Bordeaux. Perhaps, cheaper with RailCard? You have to be quick usually.

 

[steve 217]

Hi
Flight to dublin change direct flight Biarritz ,bus to Bayonne ,train to SJPD
Sounds complicated but worked 3 times no problem .

Buen Camino
Ps im also from NW so Manchester/Liverpool my nearest airport

 

[MartinBryant]

Many thanks to everyone for all the very helpful replies
There seem to be more options than you can shake your walking stick at!
I've got seven months to decide...

 

[TonyC]

Many thanks to everyone for all the very helpful replies
There seem to be more options than you can shake your walking stick at!
I've got seven months to decide...

Burn Camino - for whenever, and however, you go.

 

[TonyC]

Burn Camino - for whenever, and however, you go.

Or even

Buen Camino,

and curses to all auto-correct systems

 

[Ianred]

I live near Manchester in north-west England and there seem to be a few options for getting to SJPDP.
1 - Direct flight to Bilbao, then bus and train to SJPDP
2 - Connecting flights to London, then Biarritz, then bus to Bayonne and train to SJPDP
3 - Direct flight to Paris and train to Bayonne and train to SJPDP
Does anybody have any suggestions as to the best way to get to SJPDP?
Many thanks!

I’m driving to Stanstead in March 30th and flying to Biarritz then taxi to SJPDP. Will book flight from Santiago to Stanstead a few days before I arrive. Both Ryanair.

 

[charlesstones]

I live near Manchester in north-west England and there seem to be a few options for getting to SJPDP.
1 - Direct flight to Bilbao, then bus and train to SJPDP
2 - Connecting flights to London, then Biarritz, then bus to Bayonne and train to SJPDP
3 - Direct flight to Paris and train to Bayonne and train to SJPDP
Does anybody have any suggestions as to the best way to get to SJPDP?
Many thanks!

Hi Fly Easy jet Liverpool to Biarritz get a shared taxi or take the train from Bayonne. Coming back its easier to get a flight out of Porto to Manchester and the turist information centre in Santiago will tell you how to get the train or bus to Porto. The bus stops infront of the airport at Porto and flights are cheaper than flying from Santiago to Stanstead done this trip 3 times

 

[charlesstones]

I live near Manchester in north-west England and there seem to be a few options for getting to SJPDP.
1 - Direct flight to Bilbao, then bus and train to SJPDP
2 - Connecting flights to London, then Biarritz, then bus to Bayonne and train to SJPDP
3 - Direct flight to Paris and train to Bayonne and train to SJPDP
Does anybody have any suggestions as to the best way to get to SJPDP?
Many thanks!

 

[charlesstones]

Liverpool to Biarritz with Easy Jet then train from Bayonne or a shared taxi from the airport. Coming back get the bus from Santiago to Porto bus stops outside arrivals terminal all details via tourist office in Santiago. main taxi company in SJPDP will allow you to book a mini bus in advance and will sell the other seats for you if you book .I did this and in the end cost 15e for the transfer to SJPDP. Have been 3 times and find more flexibility and cheaper flights out of Porto.

 

[Marcus-UK]

Walk, ferry, walk.



Play with rome2rio.com for variations?

I do not think Brittany Ferries to Bilbao depart via the Manchester Ship canal:-?

 

[NorthernLight]

You could surely find some canal pathways to walk en route to Portsmouth ...
Ferry to Normandy...
And it’s just a stroll from there...

 

[Mark McCarthy]

Manchester or Liverpool to Bordeaux, bus from airport to the train station at St Jean in Bordeaux, (you will probably have to overnight in Bordeaux), then train Bordeaux to Bayonne and then train from Bayonne to SJPP.