For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
I know that others have given helpful advice about arriving in Paris or in Madrid en route to St. Jean Pied du Port to begin their Caminos.
My question is this: Has anyone arrived in both airports before (on different trips, of course!) and if so, which in-bound route do you find preferable? Which location offers the best and easiest transportation options for getting to SJPP?
I would assume arriving in Paris and departing Madrid would be the most logical, but sometimes, what sounds the best isn't always the best.
I plan on departing Dallas the end of May/first of June 2016 and taking the Camino Frances route.
Thank you for any advice Camino alums would like to offer!
I've only done it once, and that was like Anniesantiago, fly to Madrid, bus to Pamplona, lay over for a night there to adjust to the time change, then bus the next day to SJPP.I've done it both ways and find it easier to arrive in Madrid, catch a bus directly from the airport to Pamplona where I adjust to the time change for a day or two, then bus or taxi to SJPP. The Paris route, I found expensive and exhausting. That said, if you want to see Paris...
Whenever I do my next CF, I would definitely repeat what I did in Sept this year; flew to Madrid from Vancouver BC, took Renfe train to Pamplona where I was picked up by the good folks who own the Corazon Puro pension (mid way between Pamplona and St. Jean). I enjoyed a beautiful dinner with a few others, overnight in a lovely room, woke to a scrumptious breakfast, then Istvan drove us to St. Jean via San Carlos, which was beautiful. I won't quote the cost only to say it was more than reasonable. I couldn't imagine a better way to begin my journey.
I will be flying out of Seattle either this April or late September. What search do you use to find your tickets?I have done both and prefer Paris for two reasons. The first is sentimental. I enjoy walking into Spain. If you fly into Madrid, your firsts steps in Spain are at the airport. If you fly into Paris, your first steps in Spain come in the Pyrenees as you step out of France. In my opinion nothing beats that feeling.
The second reason is practical. I fly in from Seattle. I can fly non-stop to Paris. If I fly into Madrid I have to change plans somewhere. When you add in the time to change planes on the way to Madrid I find it's quicker to fly into Paris, take the TGV to Bayonne, and then grab a taxi to SJPP.
And like I said, there's that magical moment the next day when your first step in Spain is on a dirt path high up in the Pyrenees.
So far skyscanner has worked well for me .I will be flying out of Seattle either this April or late September. What search do you use to find your tickets?
Adriaan ( fraluchi) didn't mention that we get an incredibly economical additional leg ( Madrid to Pamplona) because we fly Iberia. Therefore no hassle getting either a bus or train to Madrid centre to then catch transport to Pamplona. We have never considered going to SJPP, but always start in Roncesvalles ( and once in Jaca). Frankly, it doesn't matter where you start.We fly to Madrid with IBeria and a connecting flight to Pamplona. Return from Santiago to Madrid and back home. Any other options prove to be too time consuming, more expensive and without guarantee in case of airline "problems". Pamplona-Roncesvalles-SJPP is an easy ride after all.
I've done it both ways and find it easier to arrive in Madrid, catch a bus directly from the airport to Pamplona where I adjust to the time change for a day or two, then bus or taxi to SJPP. The Paris route, I found expensive and exhausting. That said, if you want to see Paris...
actually Madrid-Pamplona-SJPP route was the one I considered before walking CF. just could not accept the fact walking then to Pamplona again, once I have been there. I know it is more about Camino walking than destination, but modern logistics like arriving first in SdC and then jumping to some point, just to get back there, simply does not make sense for me. Perhaps it's a wierd attitude by myself or something?
I will be flying out of Seattle either this April or late September. What search do you use to find your tickets?
Many thanks to everyone for your sage advice--and for taking the time to share your experiences/thoughts with me. RobertS26 and MSpath's comments about there being something special coming into Spain the first time from France without doubling back is good food for thought--thank you! It may come down to the best flight connections I can get as I plan to use air miles I've accumulated over the years--and American Airlines doesn't always offer many good options when it comes to international flights. That's my next task now! Thank you again everyone!
There is an alternative to Madrid and Paris. I flew from Boston to Dublin, Ireland. Ryanair has an inexpensive direct flight from Dublin to Biarritz - easy train/bus to St Jean.I know that others have given helpful advice about arriving in Paris or in Madrid en route to St. Jean Pied du Port to begin their Caminos.
My question is this: Has anyone arrived in both airports before (on different trips, of course!) and if so, which in-bound route do you find preferable? Which location offers the best and easiest transportation options for getting to SJPP?
I would assume arriving in Paris and departing Madrid would be the most logical, but sometimes, what sounds the best isn't always the best.
I plan on departing Dallas the end of May/first of June 2016 and taking the Camino Frances route.
Thank you for any advice Camino alums would like to offer!
Except I would want a one week layover in Dublin!There is an alternative to Madrid and Paris. I flew from Boston to Dublin, Ireland. Ryanair has an inexpensive direct flight from Dublin to Biarritz - easy train/bus to St Jean.
There is an alternative to Madrid and Paris. I flew from Boston to Dublin, Ireland. Ryanair has an inexpensive direct flight from Dublin to Biarritz
Thank you. I will check into this. You were able to catch a bus right from the Madrid airport? And when you transferred, you could have stayed on that bus all the way to SJPP? That would be great!Joe,
I did the camino frances this fall, flying American Airlines from Calgary to Dallas/Fort Worth to Madrid. I booked through British Airways and returned through London. I would assume that you could book through American Airlines directly to Madrid. I took the bus from Madrid Airport to Pamplona, where I was picked up, taken to Corazon Puro for the night, and driven to St Jean to begin my pilgrimage in the morning. I could also have taken the bus all the way to St Jean, as I discovered that the bus that I transferred into in Sorria was going to St Jean after Pamplona. Depending on your airline arrangements, this routing or some version of it might be the best way to begin your camino. Buen camino.
Yes,Thank you. I will check into this. You were able to catch a bus right from the Madrid airport? And when you transferred, you could have stayed on that bus all the way to SJPP? That would be great!
Alsa bus lines has a route from Terminal 4 at Madrid Airport to Pamplona, with a change at Sorria
Thanks. I have a little time to make arrangements, as my Daughter and I have finalized our trip for September 20th through October. Yahoo and Yippity Skippity!!! I'm not excited or anything!...and PLM autocares (http://plmautocares.com) has a direct (i.e.: no changes required) bus from Terminal 4 at Madrid Airport to Pamplona. I think that it runs daily except Sundays but verify it on the web of PLM. If the schedule of the only bus that PLM has from the Terminal 4 at Madrid airport to Pamplona suits your arrival time to the airport, it might be a better alternative than the Alsa changing in Soria.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?