A compendium of useful links for travel from London to SJPdP

[whariwharangi]

This thread discusses travel options from London to Saint Jean Pied de Port.

Caveat. I do not have first hand knowledge of most of the information presented here. The material in this thread was researched using web resources that may be out of date. Information may be incomplete or incorrect. The information presented here is not exhaustive. You are advised to confirm your own travel details.

There are 5 major airports in London.

London Heathrow (LHR)
http://www.heathrowairport.com/

London Gatwick (LGW)
http://www.gatwickairport.com/

London Stansted (STN)
http://www.stanstedairport.com/

London Luton (LTN)
http://www.london-luton.co.uk/

London City (LCY)
http://www.londoncityairport.com/

Remember to allow lots of time for arrival delays, check-in, customs, and security when you transfer between airports to catch ongoing flights.

All of the London airports are connected to greater London by bus and train.

There is a bus service between airports operated by National Express.
http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx

The closest airport to SJPdP is Biarritz/Anglet/Bayonne (BIQ). BIQ is a relatively small airport and it is easy to get oriented. Ryanair flies from STN. EasyJet flies from LGW in summer months only.
http://en.biarritz.aeroport.fr/

Take the local bus #14 from BIQ to Gare de Bayonne. The bus ride takes about 40 minutes.
http://www.chronoplus.eu/

Gare de Bayonne. See the picture so you recognize where to get off the bus.
http://www.gares-sncf.com/fr/gare/frxby/bayonne

Catch SNCF TER train #62 from Gare de Bayonne to SJPdP. You cannot reserve a seat. Buy the ticket at the station. Sometimes the service is by bus. Sometimes the service is train to Cambo les Bains and bus for the remainder. Tracks were washed out April 2014 and repaired November 2015.
http://www.ter-sncf.com/Regions/Aquitaine/fr/Default.aspx

SJPdP
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Another option is to catch train or bus from airport to train station St Pancras then catch the Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord. See compendium of useful links for travel from Paris to SJPdP for travel from Paris.

St Pancras International Station
http://stpancras.com/

UK National Rail
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Eurostar
http://www.eurostar.com

There are myriad other ways to get from London to SJPdP. Some people fly to Bilbao and take the Euskotrain or bus to Bayonne via Irun. There are good connections by discount airlines from London to Madrid, Paris, or Barcelona with bus and train connections to Bayonne.

Links checked March 2015.

 

[tyrrek]

Those flying Stansted-Biarritz from outside the London area may have to stay near the airport the night before. I've used the Travelodge Bishops Stortford several times, which is clean and modern and has usually cost somewhere between £25-40 per night if booked in advance. (Searching now for a random date in mid-January comes up with £35 for either 1 or 2 sharing.) It's a taxi ride to the airport (not included) but there is often the possibility to share with others and reception sometimes helps to facilitate this.
http://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/423/Stansted-Bishops-Stortford-hotel

 

[OTH86]

What about London City Airport? While dreaming / planning for the next camino the other day, I think I noticed British Air / Iberia from LCY to Madrid for $105 -- single / one way.
http://www.londoncityairport.com/travelandbooking/airlines
And if one needs an overnight place -- Travelodge London Woolwich Hotel - apparently relatively inexpensive, and not far from the airport - easy transport via the DLR.

 

[tyrrek]

Yep, there are 2 flights a day (9.20 and 18.40) with BA on weekdays. It's easy to forget about City Airport because for years it only had small flights to financial centres/tax havens but the range of destinations has expanded a lot. Either more, larger aircraft now comply with the noise restrictions there, or they have been relaxed. In the UK it's quoted as approx. £76 one way.

 

[OTH86]

Thanks, tyrrek, for verifying this -- sounds like a good deal for my purpose. Easy to get to from Central London, and no charge on BA for one checked bag!

 

[whariwharangi]

What about London City Airport? While dreaming / planning for the next camino the other day, I think I noticed British Air / Iberia from LCY to Madrid for $105 -- single / one way.
http://www.londoncityairport.com/travelandbooking/airlines
And if one needs an overnight place -- Travelodge London Woolwich Hotel - apparently relatively inexpensive, and not far from the airport - easy transport via the DLR.

Thanks ... edited the post.

 

[Botaivica]

If you have time I recommend Airport Lourdes. You visit Lourdes, stay a day or two, and then go to SJPP.

http://www.tlp.aeroport.fr/home

From London Stansted you have 2 weekly flights all the year.


From Lourdes to Puyoô you have a train

https://timetable.captaintrain.com/trains/lourdes/puyoo

and from Puyoô to SJPP you have a bus

http://www.rome2rio.com/s/Puyoô/Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port