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Two hours less by plane to Barcelona but then you have all kinds of connections which could take several more hours. The train from Paris to SJPdP is right at the airport. Might be a wash as far as time. Don't know about Madrid.Ya i'm taking a train down that takes 5 and some hours to Bairritz, then need to do a car share or another couple trains it looks like. But Barcelona seems a fair few hours away too.
Interesting option but I really want to go over the Pyrennes. As far as Madrid, what kind of transport is available to SJPdP?Advantage of Madrid is it's easier to get back to at the end.
If Barcelona is a preference, how about walking one of the routes from there? You could join the Frances at either Pamplona or Logrono.
I'm flying from the West Coast of USA to Europe in 2016 to begin my Camino. Should I fly into Madrid? Barcelona? Paris? Airfare is about the same any way you go but then I need to get to SJPdP. Bus? Train?
Appreciate any suggestions. Couldn't find an established thread for this so apologize for any redundancy.
I'm flying into Madrid this June from the USA and here's what I'm doing....Interesting option but I really want to go over the Pyrennes. As far as Madrid, what kind of transport is available to SJPdP?
I've done both. I prefer flying into Paris (from Seattle) for two reasons. First, getting from Madrid to SJPP takes as much time as getting from Paris to SJPP. Yes, Paris to SJPP is more distance, but it is actually just as quick. If you fly into Madrid from the United States, you will undoubtedly get there in mid-morning. You will then take the bus or train to Pamplona. Either way, you will not arrive in Pamplona mid-afternoon at best--more likely late afternoon or early evening. From Pamplona you have to bite the bullet and pay for a taxi to SJPP. Given the narrow and winding roads the taxi ride will take at least hour if not longer.
If you fly into Paris, you take the subway into town to the Gare Montparnasse train station (or take a taxi), get on the high speed TGV train and arrive at Bayonne about 5 hours later. From there you take the local train to SJPP (which is timed to meet the high speed train) or grab a taxi for the short ride.
But the number one reason for flying into Paris, there will be that magical moment on day one (or day two if you stay at Orisson) when you step over the French/Spanish border high in the Pyrenees. Have you ever walked into another country? It's totally fun. And yes, I understand that you will doing the same thing if you fly into Madrid, but it's really not the same because you were already in Spain when you walk back into Spain. It's just not the same feeling. I really believe your first step into Spain should be not at the airport but at the border.
No it's not. You get to Paris, get on the TGV to Bordeaux, then take a regional train to Bayonne (the TGV may actually take to you Bayone directly, can't remember - I recall taking 3 trains) and then the little train to SJPP. Easy peasy. Fast train.I like the idea of flying to Paris but it is so-o-o--o far from SJPdP.
Thanks, it does. Keep forgetting about Europe's high speed rail system. Such a system is essentially non-existent in USA unless you live in New England. Amtrak rail is s-l-o-w. Took a train from Florida to California and it took 6 days.No it's not. You get to Paris, get on the TGV to Bordeaux, then take a regional train to Bayonne (the TGV may actually take to you Bayone directly, can't remember - I recall taking 3 trains) and then the little train to SJPP. Easy peasy. Fast train.
If you fly into Madrid, you have to grab a bus to go to Pamplona (usually not direct, and stops for the driver's break) and then find a bus to get to SJPP. I assume Barcelona is the same.
You can either fly into Charles-de-Gaule (Roissy) or Orly. From both there are shuttle buses (Les cars AirFrance) that will take you to Montparnasse where you can get a TGV to Bordeaux. If you arrive at Orly you can also take the RER to Montparnasse (under half an hour).
From Roissy you could immediately jump in the TGV to Bordeaux, depending on what time you land.
Hope this helps a bit.
Have you considered flying into Biarritz via paris. A bus ride from the airport to the local train station and then onto SJPP. On your return you can fly out of sdc or fast train/bus to Madrid.After doing my research with lots of assistance from the Forum, I'm landing in Madrid in the morning from ATL then onto Pamplona and SJPP by the end of the day. Starting out the following morning but only as far as Orisson for an easier first day. The connections into Madrid from ATL gave me more options....
I'm flying into Madrid this June from the USA and here's what I'm doing....
Taking a bus from the airport to Pamplona. Then I have a night booked at a hostal called Pension Corazon Puro. The couple who runs it will pick you up from the bus or train station in Pamplona, take you to the hostal for dinner, sleep and breakfast, then drive you to SJPP the next morning. Check out the hostal here:
http://www.corazonpuro.es/Enghome.html
Buen camino,
Lisa
The bus has the advantage of leaving directly from the airport - no need to get to downtown.Hi,
I'll be flying San Francisco to Madrid in June too. I had been thinking of catching the train up to Pamplona. Is the bus easier?
After doing my research with lots of assistance from the Forum, I'm landing in Madrid in the morning from ATL then onto Pamplona and SJPP by the end of the day. Starting out the following morning but only as far as Orisson for an easier first day. The connections into Madrid from ATL gave me more options....
I forgot to mention what I selected Madrid which is the best reason of all......Never been there and plan on staying 3 days when I finishHi,
I'll be flying San Francisco to Madrid in June too. I had been thinking of catching the train up to Pamplona. Is the bus easier?
I flew into Paris and out of Madrid, which cost me no more than round trip to and from the same city would have. (Fall 2013)
I'm flying from the West Coast of USA to Europe in 2016 to begin my Camino. Should I fly into Madrid? Barcelona? Paris? Airfare is about the same any way you go but then I need to get to SJPdP. Bus? Train?
Appreciate any suggestions. Couldn't find an established thread for this so apologize for any redundancy.
I'm flying from the West Coast of USA to Europe in 2016 to begin my Camino. Should I fly into Madrid? Barcelona? Paris? Airfare is about the same any way you go but then I need to get to SJPdP. Bus? Train?
Appreciate any suggestions. Couldn't find an established thread for this so apologize for any redundancy.
Could you tell me the name of the bus line and how to find it at the airport? Do you need reservations?
I'm flying from the West Coast of USA to Europe in 2016 to begin my Camino. Should I fly into Madrid? Barcelona? Paris? Airfare is about the same any way you go but then I need to get to SJPdP. Bus? Train?
Appreciate any suggestions. Couldn't find an established thread for this so apologize for any redundancy.
I'm flying from the West Coast of USA to Europe in 2016 to begin my Camino. Should I fly into Madrid? Barcelona? Paris? Airfare is about the same any way you go but then I need to get to SJPdP. Bus? Train?
Appreciate any suggestions. Couldn't find an established thread for this so apologize for any redundancy.
Thank you soooo much for how you explained the ( I called this the First station). Question: 1, how to get to the Subway?Is it easy? HowI've done both. I prefer flying into Paris (from Seattle) for two reasons. First, getting from Madrid to SJPP takes as much time as getting from Paris to SJPP. Yes, Paris to SJPP is more distance, but it is actually just as quick. If you fly into Madrid from the United States, you will undoubtedly get there in mid-morning. You will then take the bus or train to Pamplona. Either way, you will not arrive in Pamplona mid-afternoon at best--more likely late afternoon or early evening. From Pamplona you have to bite the bullet and pay for a taxi to SJPP. Given the narrow and winding roads the taxi ride will take at least hour if not longer.
If you fly into Paris, you take the subway into town to the Gare Montparnasse train station (or take a taxi), get on the high speed TGV train and arrive at Bayonne about 5 hours later. From there you take the local train to SJPP (which is timed to meet the high speed train) or grab a taxi for the short ride.
But the number one reason for flying into Paris, there will be that magical moment on day one (or day two if you stay at Orisson) when you step over the French/Spanish border high in the Pyrenees. Have you ever walked into another country? It's totally fun. And yes, I understand that you will doing the same thing if you fly into Madrid, but it's really not the same because you were already in Spain when you walk back into Spain. It's just not the same feeling. I really believe your first step into Spain should be not at the airport but at the border.
What happened on that jaunt from Paris?I've mentioned in another post that I had a miserable experience on the train from Paris to Bayonne. And I will also admit my experience might have been unique. But I will never again fly into Paris and take that train; I am walking the camino again in June of 2016, and I'll be flying into Biarritz or Madrid.
Thank you! some people mention the flight to Orly, is that the same as Biarritz? God BlessHave you considered flying into Biarritz via paris. A bus ride from the airport to the local train station and then onto SJPP. On your return you can fly out of sdc or fast train/bus to Madrid.
There are two airports in Paris ... Charles de Gaulle and Orly. I have never flown into Orly. There is a third about 100 km outside of Paris that Ryanair flies out of....you need to take a bus out to it that costs about 40 euro. I don't recommend it.Thank you! some people mention the flight to Orly, is that the same as Biarritz? God Bless
You can take the subway from CDG (Charles de Gaulle) to Montparnasse Station. There are people in the airport who will assist you in finding the right train. Once you are on the TGV (the fast, direct train) to Bayonne you will hear announcements for stops. In most places you can see the name of the station from the train. After about 4 and 1/2 hours start listening for Bayonne. You will not be the only one getting off. Then buy a ticket for SJPP. Go and stand with all the other people wearing mochila and get on the train with themThank you soooo much for how you explained the ( I called this the First station). Question: 1, how to get to the Subway?Is it easy? How
much it cost? Does the train stops on its own. we have to pull a cord like some buses here in the States. God Bless you
Lol ... Just follow the "mochilas" lol...You can take the subway from CDG (Charles de Gaulle) to Montparnasse Station. There are people in the airport who will assist you in finding the right train. Once you are on the TGV (the fast, direct train) to Bayonne you will hear announcements for stops. In most places you can see the name of the station from the train. After about 4 and 1/2 hours start listening for Bayonne. You will not be the only one getting off. Then buy a ticket for SJPP. Go and stand with all the other people wearing mochila and get on the train with them
It isn't hard. It is fun.
Thank you!! you really reassuring me.There are two airports in Paris ... Charles de Gaulle and Orly. I have never flown into Orly. There is a third about 100 km outside of Paris that Ryanair flies out of....you need to take a bus out to it that costs about 40 euro. I don't recommend it.
Lol ... Just follow the "mochilas" lol...thank you it does not sound so complicated. the suggested a local plain to Orly, since the Taxi is 60 Euros, and the fast train is 100 Euros they said the plain sure be about that much? What do you think. thank you
Are Alsa the buses?Go to www.alsa.es, and do a search for the route you want. When the results come up, click on "Ver". You will get the itinerary. At each stop you can click for a map of the station's location.
Thank you soooo much for how you explained the ( I called this the First station). Question: 1, how to get to the Subway?Is it easy? How
much it cost? Does the train stops on its own. we have to pull a cord like some buses here in the States. God Bless you
The bus service has been improved to the point that there is now one that go to Montparnasse with a stop on the way at Gare Nord, just make sure you get on the right bus or you might find yourself headed to Orly. They now cost a little more than 10 euros but I can't remember what I paid in February. As far as speed is concerned if there is traffic you will get to your destination about as fast in a bus as you will in a taxi.There are three basic ways to get from Charles De Gaulle airport north of Paris to the Gare Montparnasse train station on the Left Bank: (1) taxi (most expensive, direct, and often the quickest); (2) bus (cheap, but requires a transfer to a taxi or the Metro in Paris); and (3) the RER (cheap, but requires a transfer to a taxi or the Metro in Paris).
Taxi: Obviously, the best thing about a taxi is that you will not have to transfer to another form of transportation to complete the trip. The worst things about a taxi are (a) the cost (50 to 75 Euros) and (b) traffic (if the freeway is a mess, you are not going anywhere very fast).
Bus: Both Air France and the Charles De Gaulle airport operate non-stop busses from CDG to Paris. They leave from well marked locations at the airport and only cost about 10 Euros. The Air France bus drops you off at two locations. The first is the Arc de Triomphe and the second is the Air France offices on the left bank. Neither is near Gare Montparnasse. But the Arc de Triomphe is right on top of a Metro station. The Air France offices are closer to Gare Montparnasse, but not as convenient to the Metro. Of course, you can take a relatively short taxi ride from either location to the Gare Montparnasse. The busses operated by the airport are called Roissy busses (the French often refer to CDG airport as Roissy because it was built near the small town of Roissy). The Roissy also leaves from well marked locations at the airport (in some instances, the Air France busses and the Roissy busses leave from the same locations). They drop you off at the Opera Garnier on the Right Bank. This also is right on top of a Metro Station. The best thing about the busses are that they are cheap and frequent. The worst thing about busses is that they can be as slow as taxis if the freeway into town is a mess. Also, they require a transfer to a taxi or the Metro.
Trains: There are two types of commuter trains in Paris. They cost about the same as the busses. Their advantage is that they move when the freeway is a mess. The first train system is the Metro. It is a traditional subway that heavily blankets the city of Paris. Some of it's lines make it out beyond the city limits, but the vast majority of its stations are in Paris itself. The second type of train system is the RER. It mainly feeds people from the suburbs into Paris, but it has way fewer stations because it's designed to cover more ground in the same amount of time as the Metro. At several key points the RER and the Metro share stations in Paris. This allows transfer between the two systems. Only the RER goes out to airport. But the RER line from the airport goes near the Gare Montparnasse station but not to it. So, if you take the RER into Paris, you are going to have to transfer to the Metro system at some point or grab a taxi. When you enter an RER or Metro station there is always a giant map showing the two systems and how they interact with each other (e.g. what stations they have in common). Tickets can be purchased from a human being or ticket machine. Instructions on the machine can be in English (just push the British flag). However, you will probably have to use cash at the machine because much of Europe has switched to "chip and PIN" credit and ATM cards (which are slowly being adapted by US banks).
The Gare Montparnasse train station sits on street level above an underground Metro station by the same name. If you arrive on the Metro, just follow the signs marked "Gare" to get up to the train station. It has ticket machines (same issues as RER and Metro machines) and a ticket booth. Trains for Bayonne leave about every 2 or 3 hours during the day. If you upgrade to premium seating (like business class on an airplane) you usually get to sit in the private lounge area.
I hope this helps.
From Madrid to Pamplona, yes. This thread talks about a lot of airports!Are Alsa the buses?
Orly is the second domentic airport in Paris. Flights to Biarritz usually departs from Orly. You will land in CDG. There are shuttle buses that will transfer you for a fee.Thank you! some people mention the flight to Orly, is that the same as Biarritz? God Bless
Orly is the second domentic airport in Paris. Flights to Biarritz usually departs from Orly. You will land in CDG. There are shuttle buses that will transfer you for a fee.
I think they were just talking about which airport to fly into in Paris.Lol ... Just follow the "mochilas" lol...thank you it does not sound so complicated. the suggested a local plain to Orly, since the Taxi is 60 Euros, and the fast train is 100 Euros they said the plain sure be about that much? What do you think. thank you
Fortunately more flights to Biarritz are now originating at CDG and Air France is proposing regular service between CDG and Biarritz in 2016.Orly is the second domentic airport in Paris. Flights to Biarritz usually departs from Orly. You will land in CDG. There are shuttle buses that will transfer you for a fee.
Please, you owe the Bayonnais an apologyI think they were just talking about which airport to fly into in Paris.
Trains are like planes - you can go first class or not. I took the TGV train from Paris to Pau earlier this month and I bought a first class round trip ticket. It cost 162 euro. It left Paris at 11:30 and arrived in Pau at 5. I think we went through Bayonne at about 4:30 or maybe a tad later.
So, you won't be buying a round trip ticket, right? I figure if you buy a one way, 2nd class ticket it will likely cost you about 70 Euro or near that.
You can take the subway (the Metro) from CDG airport straight to Montparnasse (train) station in Paris and from there buy a ticket on the TGV train to Bayonne. Bayonne is a small town near the Spanish border where you can catch a small train to SJPP.
Lo siento, Yolanda! It is easy to forget that not everyone knows the names of some of these places! Didn't mean to confuse you!
Oops - sorry. That constitutes a small town in Texas even if it were not a "region". I am from a small town in West Texas that has about 300,000 people in it, for instance.Please, you owe the Bayonnais an apology. There are over 100,000 residents in the urban area that makes up Bayonne, Anglet and Biarritz. We don't think we are a small town. We have two top tier rugby teams, the best surfing in Europe and some of the friendliest people in the world. The Fete de Bayonne at the end of July rivals Pamplona during the St. Fermin Fete in regards to the number of tourists it draws and the quality of the bull fighting.
I don't think the RER/Metro trip from CDG is any longer a good suggestion with the required underground transfer from the RER to the Metro because there is a direct bus these days. The only reason I'd suggest going by rail would be if the roads were totally closed due to traffic.
Robert you are amazing, Ivar sure copy and post this detections for all of us trying to go SJPDP from Paris. God Bless YouThere are three basic ways to get from Charles De Gaulle airport north of Paris to the Gare Montparnasse train station on the Left Bank: (1) taxi (most expensive, direct, and often the quickest); (2) bus (cheap, but requires a transfer to a taxi or the Metro in Paris); and (3) the RER (cheap, but requires a transfer to a taxi or the Metro in Paris).
Taxi: Obviously, the best thing about a taxi is that you will not have to transfer to another form of transportation to complete the trip. The worst things about a taxi are (a) the cost (50 to 75 Euros) and (b) traffic (if the freeway is a mess, you are not going anywhere very fast).
Bus: Both Air France and the Charles De Gaulle airport operate non-stop busses from CDG to Paris. They leave from well marked locations at the airport and only cost about 10 Euros. The Air France bus drops you off at two locations. The first is the Arc de Triomphe and the second is the Air France offices on the left bank. Neither is near Gare Montparnasse. But the Arc de Triomphe is right on top of a Metro station. The Air France offices are closer to Gare Montparnasse, but not as convenient to the Metro. Of course, you can take a relatively short taxi ride from either location to the Gare Montparnasse. The busses operated by the airport are called Roissy busses (the French often refer to CDG airport as Roissy because it was built near the small town of Roissy). The Roissy also leaves from well marked locations at the airport (in some instances, the Air France busses and the Roissy busses leave from the same locations). They drop you off at the Opera Garnier on the Right Bank. This also is right on top of a Metro Station. The best thing about the busses are that they are cheap and frequent. The worst thing about busses is that they can be as slow as taxis if the freeway into town is a mess. Also, they require a transfer to a taxi or the Metro.
Trains: There are two types of commuter trains in Paris. They cost about the same as the busses. Their advantage is that they move when the freeway is a mess. The first train system is the Metro. It is a traditional subway that heavily blankets the city of Paris. Some of it's lines make it out beyond the city limits, but the vast majority of its stations are in Paris itself. The second type of train system is the RER. It mainly feeds people from the suburbs into Paris, but it has way fewer stations because it's designed to cover more ground in the same amount of time as the Metro. At several key points the RER and the Metro share stations in Paris. This allows transfer between the two systems. Only the RER goes out to airport. But the RER line from the airport goes near the Gare Montparnasse station but not to it. So, if you take the RER into Paris, you are going to have to transfer to the Metro system at some point or grab a taxi. When you enter an RER or Metro station there is always a giant map showing the two systems and how they interact with each other (e.g. what stations they have in common). Tickets can be purchased from a human being or ticket machine. Instructions on the machine can be in English (just push the British flag). However, you will probably have to use cash at the machine because much of Europe has switched to "chip and PIN" credit and ATM cards (which are slowly being adapted by US banks).
The Gare Montparnasse train station sits on street level above an underground Metro station by the same name. If you arrive on the Metro, just follow the signs marked "Gare" to get up to the train station. It has ticket machines (same issues as RER and Metro machines) and a ticket booth. Trains for Bayonne leave about every 2 or 3 hours during the day. If you upgrade to premium seating (like business class on an airplane) you usually get to sit in the private lounge area.
I hope this helps.
Woodswoman I have received a lot of info to travel from USA to SJPDP, Robert was very details, and I thank him and all the others for their help. Reading your respond I understood that you took a fast train from DeGaulle airpot ( you dint go to Montparmasse Train station?)Last time (2013) I walked the Frances, and got a flight to Paris. Though it was farther away, I could then take the train right from DeGaulle airport, a TGV (fast train) down to Bayonne, and then a regular train to St. Jean PP. It was a lovely way to decompress a bit before I began my walk. Spent two nights in SJPP, wandering, writing, gathering some good meat/cheese/bread/fruit to take on the first haul up the Pyrenees, and stayed in Orisson/Kayola. Then I was a bit more ready, less jet-lagged, for the long haul to Roncesvalles.
I know some of the Spanish cities are closer, but I don't know whether that plane-to-train transition is quite as easy as the one in Paris at the CDG airport. This August, I'm going to walk the Norte, but will still fly into Paris first, then train down to Hendaye/Irun. Haven't gotten that nailed down yet.
But last time, I spent a week in Santiago to finish writing and then a week in Portugal afterward before flying home on miles from Lisbon. This time I'm going to spend a few days in Santiago to write and then go to my beloved Italy for a week or 10 days. So I get a one-way ticket through Iceland, which was $515 to Paris from Denver, and then can use miles to fly home from wherever I end up.
AirFrance is offering flights to Orly now!Fortunately more flights to Biarritz are now originating at CDG and Air France is proposing regular service between CDG and Biarritz in 2016.
Anyone who plans to take a bus from CDG to Orly should allow at least 3+hours during peak traffic times.
Yes, i did see some direct connections from CDG. Majority of the flights options still transfers to ORY though. I guess the best thing would be to look at the lay over time/price difference and decide which is best.Fortunately more flights to Biarritz are now originating at CDG and Air France is proposing regular service between CDG and Biarritz in 2016.
Anyone who plans to take a bus from CDG to Orly should allow at least 3+hours during peak traffic times.
Thanks for the update on Air France adding a new line (Line 4) from CDG to Gare Montparnasse. I think this new line almost eliminates the RER and Metro as an alternative. I guess the only way I would still take the RER train (and then Metro) is if I knew for sure the freeway was a complete mess. The Air France busses are sleek and comfortable. And barely more expensive than the RER/Metro combination. Wonderful news.
Thank you! you opinion is taken into consideration.I will be traveling from Denver US and also want to start in St Jean.
My most recent research of different combinations of flights for the end of August showed that the best option time wise and least expensive is a one way flight to Paris ($590) and then train to St jean. The return was from Madrid (one way ticket bought separately through expedia.com) to New York ($400) and then new York to Denver ($250). It seems that flights from Europe to New York are way cheaper than to any other city in the US.
Another option was to take a round trip flight to Paris ($1100) but at the end of the Camino you would have to flight back to Paris from Madrid which cost about $110.
Yes, there are many options: Bus (ALSA), train (RENFE), planes (see Iberia, Ryan Air).Now what about the travel to Madrid from Santiago. I heard that there is a bus or a train going directly to Madrid. Does anyone have more information on that? thanks
Thank you Felipe, I appreciate your explanations, REFE then is the same as a fast train? what walk, or walks have you done, I hear that it is addictive.Yes, there are many options: Bus (ALSA), train (RENFE), planes (see Iberia, Ryan Air).
I don't recommend the overnight bus -my experience was not good.
You are right, the long lay over in an estrange country makes definitely! a big difference, it is worth the money not to have them.Yes, i did see some direct connections from CDG. Majority of the flights options still transfers to ORY though. I guess the best thing would be to look at the lay over time/price difference and decide which is best.
There is no equivalent to the TGV in Spain. RENFE refers to the national network of trains.Thank you Felipe, I appreciate your explanations, REFE then is the same as a fast train? what walk, or walks have you done, I hear that it is addictive.
Well sorta, Renfe is trying there best with upgrades all over Spain but they seem to end up off the tracks from time to time.There is no equivalent to the TGV in Spain. RENFE refers to the national network of trains.
Sorry, I don't understand...Well sorta, Renfe is trying there best with upgrades all over Spain but they seem to end up off the tracks from time to time.
They have several high speed services that rival the TGV but they are still improving the rail system to avoid accidents like the one in 2013 in Santiago.Sorry, I don't understand...
I must have miss that. Where do they run to and from?They have several high speed services that rival the TGV but they are still improving the rail system to avoid accidents like the one in 2013 in Santiago.
They have several high speed services that rival the TGV but they are still improving the rail system to avoid accidents like the one in 2013 in Santiago.
I must have miss that. Where do they run to and from?
Thank you for your detailed description.All the AVE trains run in specific tracks and rail lines for high speed AVE trains. Except the Madrid-Sevilla line (opened in 1992), the rest of the lines were opened on XXIth century so are almost brand new. The train that had the accident in Santiago wasn't an AVE train but an ALVIA train. While AVE trains run just on high-speed rail lines, Alvia trains run both in high speed lines and standard speed lines along the route; in other words, they make part of their route along a high speed line and another part of their route along a standard speed line. To change from a high speed line to a standard speed line, they have to pass through a width exchanger because high speed lines use international width while standard speed lines use Iberian width. In the case of the Alvia heading to Santiago, the route also include lines that are electrified and lines that aren't electrified. AVE trains may reach speeds over 300 kilometers per hour while the maximum speed for an ALVIA train is 250 kilometers per hour (and that just when they run in a high-speed line). The curve where the accident happened should be passed at 80 kilometers per hour what defenitely isn't high-speed regardless the width of the track, the type of train that pass though it or the name anyone wants to give to the line.
The map on this link will tell you:
http://www.adifaltavelocidad.es/es_...alta_velocidad/lineas_de_alta_velocidad.shtml
I was in Santiago a day before that accident and remember reading the driver was exceeding the speed entering that turn.
I saw there are/were many improvements being made on the rails all along that section of the railroad, as well as new track being installed into Leon
Now what about the travel to Madrid from Santiago. I heard that there is a bus or a train going directly to Madrid. Does anyone have more information on that? thanks
Factors:
a. Closest Airport to SJPdP is Biarritz.
b. The closest airport to SJPdP in Spain is San Sebastian, which is 3 km from Irun/Hendaye border crossing and rail service provided by SNCF and Renfe.
c. SJPdP has SNCF train/bus service to Bayonne.
d. SJPdP has seasonal CONDA (ALSA) bus service to Pamplona.
e. There is Transports64 Regional bus service from SJPdP to Pau. Pau has a regional airport.
f. Consider how you will get home from Santiago.
A. If I were traveling from Biarritz to SJPdP I would:
Thank you! awesome description.
a. Take Chronoplus bus 14 from Biarritz airport to Gare Bayonne.
b. Take SNCF train/autocar service from Bayonne to SJPdP.
B. If I were traveling to SJPdP by way of Paris (or Bordeaux) I would:
a. Determine if it was cost effective and time effective to fly from Paris to Biarritz. Time effective means arriving in time to catch a train from Bayonne to SJPdP on the same day. (Allow 4 - 5 hours to transfer from CDG flight arrival to Orly flight departure)
b. If arriving at CDG and taking the train is the better option ... take the train from CDG 2 to Bayonne if the schedule is viable.
c. If CDG 2 schedule doesn't work ... Take RER B train to St Michel and transfer to the Metro. Take the line 4 Metro to Montparnasse. Then board the TGV train originating from Montparnasse to Bayonne. There is more frequent service from Montparnasse.
d. If arriving at Orly ... take the Orly Val train to station Antony and RER train to Massy. Take TGV from Massy to Bayonne.
C. If I were traveling to SJPdP by way of Madrid I would:
a. Take the Metro (from either T1T2T3 or from t4) or Renfe Cercanias (from T4) to Puerto Atocha and take a Renfe train to Pamplona.
b. Or ALSA provides bus service from Madrid T4 airport to Pamplona via Soria or Zaragosa. Bus service is slower than the train however it runs frequently, is cheaper, and requires no knowledge of Madrid transportation systems.
c. CONDA provides (seasonal) bus service to SJPdP - See ALSA schedule - from the Pamplona bus station.
d. I would consider a flight from Madrid to either Pamplona or San Sebastian.
D. If I were traveling to SJPdP by way of London (Dublin would work too) I would:
a. Tranfer from arrival airport (Probably Heathrow or Gatwick) by National Express bus to either Stansted (Ryan air has flights to Biarritz all year) or Gatwick (Easy Jet has summer flights to Biarritz).
b. Fly from Stansted or Gatwick (or Dublin) to Biarritz France.
c. Take SNCF train and bus service to SJPdP.
E. If I were traveling to SJPdP by way of Barcelona I would:
a. Take Barcelona Cercanius to Barcelona Sants station.
b. Take either Renfe train or ViBasa (Monbus) bus from Barcelona Sants to Pamplona.
c. Take CONDA bus from Pamplona to SJPdP.
d. I would consider a flight from Barcelona to San Sebastian.
F. If I were traveling to SJPdP by way of Bilbao I would:
a. Take PESA bus from Bilbao (Loiu) airport to San Sebastian.
b. Walk from San Sebastian bus station to Euskotren Amara station
c. Take the Euskotren from Amara to Hendaia station.
d. Take SNCF train from Gare d'Hendaye (co-located with Hendaia) to Bayonne.
e. Take SNCF train and bus service from Bayonne to SJPdP.
These are but a few of the options.
Regardless of whichever city you choose to arrive in ... it will take a full day of travel to get to SJPdP.
Thank you! I know you are in your walk, or starting tomorrow God Bless you and enjoyAnnie,
I am US guy who lives in Brussels and will take the train to Paris (actually tomorrow 28 Mar 15 -- to start my first Camino) -- from Paris (Montparnass Station) I will head to Bayonne (96 Euros Class I -- you can go cheaper, but I told my wife I was not riding cattle class : ) ) and from Bayonne to Cambo Les Bains (4.40 euros) and at Cambo Les Bains will hop on the bus to SJPdP (7.00 euros) -- depending on your arrival times you may want to (or have to) spend a night somewhere before heading on -- Paris is always a cool place if you have never been there before -- I booked everything through SNCF website -- I also just booked a room in SJPsP in advance (ok -- 1 day in my book is advance using Kayak website) -- wish you the very best on your 2016 adventure --
Hi Annie,I'm flying from the West Coast of USA to Europe in 2016 to begin my Camino. Should I fly into Madrid? Barcelona? Paris? Airfare is about the same any way you go but then I need to get to SJPdP. Bus? Train?
Appreciate any suggestions. Couldn't find an established thread for this so apologize for any redundancy.
The consensus seems to be to fly into Paris (I'm coming from MI), take the TGV to Bayonne, then local train to SJPP. Have you discovered a better plan?
@Tiffany4412 - You might consider flying to Biarritz. (That airport is 30 minutes from the Bayonne train station, and then the trip by train/bus to SJPP is an hour or so.) Major airlines from North America fly into Paris CDG so you might have to transfer to Paris Orly airport to get the flight to Biarritz. However, it can be ticketed on the same ticket, which gives some security in case your first flight is delayed. It is very easy to get a shuttle bus between the airports, but you need to allow several hours between the connections.
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