Walk from Bayonne to St. Jean

[Kennedy1]

Is it possible to walk from Bayonne to St. Jean in one day. Would the route be on paved roads or is there a trail one can use? I am arriving in Bayonne late on April 30th. and will spent the night there. I am planning on catching an early afternoon train to St. Jean but I was just wondering if very many pilgrims actually started walking from Bayonne.

Kind Regards, Kennedy

 

[Deleted member 3000]

It is 53 km, a bit of a long walk for one day!

 

[MCVet]

I'd just take the train. It's like, 10 euros or so?

Be wary though, the terminals in the train station at Bayonne are ONLY IN FRENCH for the SJPP ticket. Trying to navigate it as a non-French speaker is...trying at best, and I bought the wrong ticket (I can only advise not to buy the 'Carte blanche' ticket, I still don't know what was the right ticket to buy). Luckily the lady on the train was very kind and didn't charge me the 50 euro fee that you're supposed to incur for having the wrong ticket.

 

[mspath]

Is it possible to walk from Bayonne to St. Jean in one day. Would the route be on paved roads or is there a trail one can use? I am arriving in Bayonne late on April 30th. and will spent the night there. I am planning on catching an early afternoon train to St. Jean but I was just wondering if very many pilgrims actually started walking from Bayonne.

Kind Regards, Kennedy

Kennedy,

For info on walking from Bayonne to St Jean Pied de Port use this French site, http://www.aucoeurduchemin.org/spip/spi ... ubrique381

Bon Chemin and Buen Camino!

Margaret Meredith

 

[sergeantmajormammy]

The staff in the ticket office in Bayonne Station speak English (or did when I was there in March). However the manned office seems to close mid-afternoon. The ticket machines are just outside the office.

If you buy your tickets in the office, don't forget you have to 'compost'/punch them in the machine just to the left of the entrance to the platforms, pre-boarding the train. (I say 'compost' because the French word is 'composter'!)


Kennedy, hope all is well in your family now and that your Camino goes well. (I remember you as my grandmother was a Kennedy too!)

 

[naplesdon]

I see people everyday walking on the verge of the RN10 from the Biarritz airport to the Bayonne Gare. Sure you're there for a pilgrimage but a one euro bus ticket is a lot safer and saner way to get there. The train from Bayonne is fast and efficient while the walk there is along a winding, weavy road with very few inexpensive hostels. So why not save your energy, your money and your life for the Camino and take the bus and the train to SJPP.

 

[Kennedy1]

Thanks for all the information and advice.

It would seem that the best option would be to stick to my original plan and get the early afternoon train to St. Jean. I have a room booked at the L'Esprit du Chemin for May 1st and I don't want to mess up that experience .

Buen Camino all, Kennedy

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I don't want to mess up that experience.

You don't choose a life, dad. You live one.

Apologies to Emilio...

I hope you find that on the Camino, you cannot mess up an experience; only your plans for that experience can be messed up. Relax and yield.

Buen camino!

 

[Craig White]

Heading out to Paris may 19, train to Bayonne in the afternoon, overnight in Bayonne and wasn't able to book train to SJPDP.hoping to meet up with pilgrims to share a ride or get a ticket once I arrive. All in all, not a problem, being retired has its rewards. Little over a month before I leave and looking forward to it.