A compendium of useful links for travel from Madrid to SJPdP via Bayonne

[whariwharangi]

This thread discusses: travel from Madrid to Saint Jean Pied de Port (SJPdP) via San Sebastian, Irun, Hendaye, Biarritz and Bayonne.

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 The material in this thread was researched using web resources that may be out of date.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.

Executive Summary

Option 1 Take Renfe train from Madrid to either Irun Renfe station or Gare d' Hendaye. If your train from Madrid terminates in Irun take the Metro Donostialdea (Euskotren) commuter train from Irun Colon station to Hendaia station. Take SNCF train from Gare d'Hendaye to Gare de Bayonne. Take the SNCF TER train from Bayonne to SJPdP.

Option 2 Take ALSA bus from Madrid to San Sebastian. Take Donostialdea Metro (Euskotren) commuter train from San Sebastian Amara to Hendaia. Then catch the Transports64 bus from Gare d'Hendaye to Place de Basques in Bayonne. Take the Chronoplus urban bus from Place de Basques to Gare de Bayonne. Take the Transport64 bus from Bayonne to SJPdP with transfer at St Palais.

Option 3 Fly from Madrid to San Sebastian Airport (EAS). The airport is located at Hondarribia in visual and walking distance from the Irun Renfe Station.

Donostialdea Metro Colon station is reached by Ekialdebus from Airport San Sebastian. Take Ekialdebus E25, E28, or E78 from airport to bus stop Colon 43 located across the street from the Metro and across the bridge over the tracks from the Renfe station.

Take the Metro to Hendaia. Then take SNCF train from Hendaye to Bayonne and from Bayonne to SJPdP.

Option 4

Take flight from Madrid MAD to Biarritz BIQ (note this is new service 29 March 2016); take the Chronoplus bus #14 from Biarritz/Anglet Airport to Gare Bayonne; and, take SNCF TER Aquitaine train #62 from Bayonne to SJPdP.

Transportation Services

The break of gauge between France and Spain's railway, and crossing the border, make this route somewhat complicated. Spain's Renfe trains may unload passengers in Hendaye but may only load in Irun and some trains terminate in Irun. France's SNCF trains may unload passengers in Irun but may only load in Hendaye and some trains terminate in Hendaye.

The advantage of travel from Madrid to SJPdP via Bayonne is there are usually 4 or 5 trains daily all year from Bayonne to SJPdP.

How to get around in:
Madrid
San Sebastian
Irun/Hendaye
Biarritz/AngletBayonne
SJPdP

Madrid Airport

The airport in Madrid is called Barajas (MAD). There are 4 terminals. T1, T2, and T3 are located in one building. T4 and T4S are connected by an Automatic People Mover train. There is a shuttle service that connects all terminals.

Madrid Airport (MAD)
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Madrid-Barajas/en/

Getting around Madrid

Connections to Madrid include subway (Metro), light rail transit (Cercanias), and EMT bus.

Madrid Metro has stations at T1-T2-T3 and at T4. The trains run every 6 - 12 minutes.

Madrid Cercanias has a station at T4. The trains run every 30 minutes.

EMT Madrid operates a bright yellow express bus from the airport T1-T2-T3 and airport T4 to Puerta de Atocha Renfe station.

EMT Madrid operates bus route #200 from the airport T1-T2-T3 and airport T4 to Intercambiador de Avenida de America.

Madrid Metro
http://www.metromadrid.es/en/index.html

Madrid Metro Map
http://www.metromadrid.es/export/sites/metro/comun/documentos/planos/Planomayo2013.pdf

Madrid Cercanias (operated by Renfe)
http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/cercanias/madrid/index.html

EMT Madrid bus services to Airport
http://www.emtmadrid.es/Aeropuerto

Madrid Train stations

Puerto de Atocha is reached by Metro. Take line 8 from airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Nuevos Ministerios; line 10 to Tribunal; and, line 1 to Renfe Atocha.

Alternatively take the Cercanias train from T4.

Or take EMT Madrid Aeropuerto Express #203. The bus picks up at both terminal building and terminates at Puerta de Atocha. 24/7 service.

Puerta de Atocha Renfe Station Madrid
http://www.adif.es/es_ES/infraestructuras/estaciones/60000/informacion_000070.shtml

Chamartin is reached by Metro. Take line 8 from airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Nuevos Ministerios; and, line 10 to Chamartin.

Alternatively take the Cercanias train from T4.

Chamartin Renfe Station Madrid
http://www.adif.es/es_ES/infraestructuras/estaciones/17000/informacion_000295.shtml

Madrid Bus Stations

There are several bus stations in Madrid. There are buses from Madrid Airport T4 and Intercambiador de Avenida de America to San Sebastian.

Intercambiador de Avenida de America (Madrid) is co-located with the Metro. Take line 8 from Barajas airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Mar de Cristal; and, line 4 to Avenida de America.

EMT Madrid bus #200 picks up at both airport terminal buildings and terminates at Intercambiador de Avenida de America.

Intercambiador de Avenida de America
http://www.madrid-traveller.com/madrid-bus-station-avenida-de-america/

San Sebastian/Donostia

Map San Sebastian - 41 is Renfe station and new bus station. 42 is Euskotren Amara station. 43 is old outdoor Bus station at Plaza Pio XII. Some bus companies still pickup and drop off there.
http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/images/ssturismo/pdf/city-map-donostia-san-sebastian.pdf

San Sebastian has a new bus station ... located next to the Renfe Station.
http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/...bastian-pronto-tendra-nueva-estacion-de-buses

Amara Euskotren station is located across the river from San Sebastian bus and train station.

The Renfe train station, Estacion del Norte, in San Sebastian is located next to the new bus station. Trains, which include Renfe Cercanias commuter trains, travel from San Sebastian to Irun on a frequent basis. Some, though not all, trains terminate at Hendaye.

San Sebastian/Donostia Renfe Station
http://www.adif.es/es_ES/infraestructuras/estaciones/11511/informacion_000031.shtml

Irun/Hendaye

San Sebastian Airport EAS is located 3 km from Irun Renfe Station
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-San-Sebastian/en/

Irun Renfe Station
http://www.adif.es/es_ES/infraestructuras/estaciones/11600/informacion_000032.shtml

Gare d'Hendaye
http://www.gares-sncf.com/fr/gare/fraef/hendaye

Ekialdebus
http://www.ekialdebus.net/inicio/?lang=es

Biarritz/Anglet/Bayonne

Biarritz Airport
http://en.biarritz.aeroport.fr/

Chronoplus bus
http://www.chronoplus.eu/

Gare de Bayonne
http://www.gares-sncf.com/fr/gare/frxby/bayonne

Gare Biarritz
http://www.gares-sncf.com/fr/gare/frbiq/biarritz

SJPdP

Saint Jean Pied de Port
http://www.saintjeanpieddeport-paysbasque-tourisme.com/

Links Checked February 2016

Transportation Service Providers
Renfe
Euskotren/Donostealdea Metro
SNCF
ALSA
Transports64
PESA

Renfe Train

Renfe
http://www.renfe.com/index.html

Renfe is Spain's train system.

Madrid has two major train stations; Puerto de Atocha and Chamartin. Trains do not usually make stops at both of Madrid's stations. There are two routes that go from Madrid to Irun/Hendaye (Hendaya). One goes by way of Miranda de Ebro, the other by way of Zaragosa. Some trains terminate in Irun while others terminate in Hendaye. Transfers may be required so check the itinerary.

Euskotren/Donostialdea Metro

Euskotren
http://www.euskotren.es/

Euskotren is a conglomeration of commuter rail lines, including Donostialdea Metro, extending from Bilbao to Hendaye.

Donostialdea Metro (Euskotren) operates a commuter train that connects San Sebastian Amara station, Irun Colon station, and Hendaia station. It runs every half hour.

If you need the commuter to connect from Irun to Hendaye, exit Irun Renfe station, turn right, cross bridge to find Colon station. Hendaia station is located next to Gare d'Hendaye.

SNCF Train

SNCF
http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers

SNCF TER Aquitaine
http://www.ter-sncf.com/Regions/Aquitaine/fr/Default.aspx

Bonjour la France railway map
http://www.bonjourlafrance.com/france-map/sncf-map-large.htm

SNCF operates France's train system.

SNCF operates TGV, Intercites, and TER (#61) trains from Gare d'Hendaye to Gare de Bayonne enroute to Dax and Bordeaux.

SNCF operates TER trains (#62) from Gare Bayonne to the terminus at SJPdP.

A seat reservation is required on TGV trains. A reservation can be obtained at the station prior to departure.

It is not possible to reserve a seat in advance on TER trains.

ALSA bus

ALSA provides bus service from Intercambiador de Avenida de America to San Sebastian. Some of the buses stop enroute at Madrid airport T4.

ALSA provides bus service from San Sebastian to Irun Renfe Station, Biarritz Airport, and Gare Bayonne.

ALSA provides seasonal bus service from San Sebastian to SJPdP with most buses via Pamplona and some via Biarritz Airport.

ALSA
https://www.alsa.es/

Transports64 bus

Transports64 provides Euskadi express bus #816 from Gare d'Hendaye to Place de Basques in Bayonne. Place de Basques is located one km from Gare Bayonne. Some bus schedules on this route start at Irun Renfe Stations and terminate at Gare Bayonne.

Transport64 offers bus service from Gare de Bayonne to SJPdP. Take bus 0811 (Tardets) to St Palais. Transfer to bus 0810 (Saint Etienne de Baigorry) The bus stops in SJPdP at SNCF Gare and Uhart Ciz.

Transports64
http://www.transports64.fr/transports-64?lang=fr

PESA bus

PESA provides bus service from San Sebastian/Donostia to Place de Basques in Bayonne. Place de Basques is located one km from Gare Bayonne. The PESA bus makes stops at Gare d'Hendaye and Biarritz Airport en route.

PESA
http://www.pesa.net/pesa/public_home/ctrl_home.php

Links checked February 2016.

 

[leandra scott]

Hi. I'm not sure how to post a question so I'm doing it here. I'm wondering if you could help with information on how to travel from Barcelona to StJPdP. Or should I fly into another city. I'm coming from Australia. Thanks Leandra

 

[RENSHAW]

Hi. I'm not sure how to post a question so I'm doing it here. I'm wondering if you could help with information on how to travel from Barcelona to StJPdP. Or should I fly into another city. I'm coming from Australia. Thanks Leandra

I would try to fly into Madrid where one has many options in getting to Pamplona.
If budget is no option one can fly into Barcelona and get a connecting flight to Pamplona - done that , got the badge but the flight coming into Barcelona was late. I made the connection but my beloved pack did not and I had to wait 6 anxious hours for the next connection to land at Pamplona.
If your airline stops at Barcelona rather than Madrid for 'Long Haul' reasons then sure , there are busses and trains to Pamplona.

 

[Castilian]

Some nuances and extra info:

There are two routes that go to Irun/Hendaye (Hendaya). One goes by way of Miranda de Ebro, the other by way of Zaragosa.

Direct trains go through Miranda de Ebro. There are options changing trains in Zaragoza or in Palencia.

SNCF operates TGV trains from the Irun Renfe Station to Gare de Bayonne enroute to Bordeaux and Paris.

The SNCF operates TGVs to Irún but not out of Irún. Out of Irún, you would need to change trains in Hendaye.

Option 2. Take ALSA bus from Madrid to San Sebastian. Take Euskotren commuter train from San Sebastian to Gare d'Hendaye. Then catch the ATCRB bus from Gare d'Hendaye to Place de Basques in Bayonne. Take the Chronoplus urban bus from Place de Basques to Gare de Bayonne. Take the SNCF TER train or Transport64 bus from Bayonne to SJPdP.

This option should be an alternative if there isn't a direct PESA bus from San Sebastián to Bayonne after the arrival of your bus from Madrid.

 

[Laurina Snyman-Kriel]

Question: Any recommendations on flying from Madrid by Sky Picker to Biarritz and then by bus or train to SJPDP?

 

[Castilian]

Question: Any recommendations on flying from Madrid by Sky Picker to Biarritz and then by bus or train to SJPDP?

There aren't direct flights from Madrid to Biarritz. You can make the route changing planes, for example, in Paris but it's unlikely to be cheap... I would suggest to look for flights to San Sebastián or Bilbao instead (and continue overland to Biarritz). I would suggest too to take a look not just at Sky Picker but also at other webs like, for example, Skyscanner or Orbitz.

 

[Karen Davies]

Thank you Castilian for such in depth information, it is much appreciated.
I am interested in finding out more about the Asta Bus service from Pamplona to SJPdP, but I believe the service only starts around Easter so I will be patient until then.

 

[Castilian]

I am interested in finding out more about the Asta Bus service from Pamplona to SJPdP, but I believe the service only starts around Easter so I will be patient until then.

That bus service is already running. You can consult schedules on the web of Alsa (and you can also purchase your tickets if your travel date isn't too far away). Don't forget it's an international route (i.e.: look in the right section on the web of Alsa).

http://www.alsa.es/en

 

[Karen Davies]

Once again, many thanks!
I tried booking on line but it would not accept my destination (SJPdP) on the 'international' form...maybe it is too early. Would you know if the bus depot in Pamplona is close to they rain station?
Thanks Karen

 

[Karen Davies]

Casti

Once again, many thanks!
I tried booking on line but it would not accept my destination (SJPdP) on the 'international' form...maybe it is too early.
Thanks Karen

 

[Karen Davies]

Casti

Oh Dear,
I seem to be making a huge botch... Ignore last questions, I have found the answer on Google.

 

[Deleted member 34316]

There aren't direct flights from Madrid to Biarritz.

It looks that starting from March 29th, 2016 there will be direct flight from Madrid to Biarritz!
Direct flights from Madrid to Biarritz
Mind you that if you select English version of the page, the prices will be listed in British Pounds, and not in Euro.

 

[Castilian]

It looks that starting from March 29th, 2016 there will be direct flight from Madrid to Biarritz!
Direct flights from Madrid to Biarritz
Mind you that if you select English version of the page, the prices will be listed in British Pounds, and not in Euro.

No news for me. I opened a thread on Thrusday February 11th 2016 to announce the start of flights from Madrid to Biarritz on March 29th... (see: www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/iberia-will-start-flights-to-biarritz-on-march-29th.38358 ) Thank you for updating this old thread though.

Getting around Madrid

Connections to Madrid include subway (Metro), light rail transit (Cercanias), and EMT bus.

Taxi is another option... Fixed fare: 30 Euros (if they didn't increase it this year) to anywhere in downtown Madrid inside the M-30 ring.

Puerto de Atocha is reached by Metro. Take line 8 from airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Nuevos Ministerios; line 10 to Tribunal; and, line 1 to Renfe Atocha. Alternatively take the Cercanias train from T4.

The Cercanías would be my first choice and the metro the alternative.

Chamartin is reached by Metro. Take line 8 from airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Nuevos Ministerios; and, line 10 to Chamartin. Alternatively take the Cercanias train from T4.

Same as above: the Cercanías would be my first choice and the metro an alternative.

Trains from all over Spain enroute to Irun pass through San Sebastian.

...and all Spanish passenger trains going to Irún stop at San Sebastián.

The train station, Estacion del Norte, in San Sebastian is located across the river from the bus station. Trains, which include Renfe Cercanias commuter trains, travel from San Sebastian to Irun and Hendaye on a frequent basis.

The Cercanías end in Irún; i.e.: they don't cross to Hendaye.
Euskotren (www.euskotren.eus) is also a good option and they do cross to Hendaye. Euskotren trains from Donostia -aka San Sebastián- to Hendaye run every 30 minutes and make several stops in San Sebastián (Amara is one of them).

Renfe is Spain's train system.

It's Spain's main train system. There are others (e.g.: the Euskotren).

There are two routes that go to Irun/Hendaye (Hendaya). One goes by way of Miranda de Ebro, the other by way of Zaragosa.

All the direct trains from Madrid to Irún go through Miranda de Ebro. Routings through Zaragoza mean a change of trains in Zaragoza.

PESA provides bus service from San Sebastian/Donostia to Place de Basques in Bayonne. Place de Basques is located one km from Gare Bayonne.

Those buses stop at Biarritz airport too. They also offer some connections from Irún to Bayonne.

 

[Meg Worland]

My only word of caution about the train from Bayonne to St Jean Pied de Port is that the trains on Sunday are infrequent. I have a problem as I will arrive in Bayonne (on train from Paris) on Sunday 17th April at 5.34pm. Unfortunately the next train to SJPP leaves at 9.10pm. The option is to book a taxi with Bourricot and the cost of that would be 84euro for 1 person or less if the taxi is shared. Otherwise I find that waiting around for some hours is not a comfortable idea for me, a lone woman. Anyone else arriving that time who would be willing to share taxi or maybe have dinner in Bayonne prior to the train departure.

 

[Devon Mike]

My only word of caution about the train from Bayonne to St Jean Pied de Port is that the trains on Sunday are infrequent. I have a problem as I will arrive in Bayonne (on train from Paris) on Sunday 17th April at 5.34pm. Unfortunately the next train to SJPP leaves at 9.10pm. The option is to book a taxi with Bourricot and the cost of that would be 84euro for 1 person or less if the taxi is shared. Otherwise I find that waiting around for some hours is not a comfortable idea for me, a lone woman. Anyone else arriving that time who would be willing to share taxi or maybe have dinner in Bayonne prior to the train departure.

At that time of day arriving in Bayonne on a Sunday, why not consider staying there and taking an early train on Monday morning. That would be a much cheaper and more relaxing option.

 

[Meg Worland]

Thanks, Mike, but I have already booked accommodation in SJPP for that evening. Although I may see if I can defer that booking for the next night and take up your suggestion.

 

[Deleted member 34316]

Meg, you are taking the "pilgrim" train from Paris! I can bet there will be at least 20, 30 maybe even 40 pilgrims on that train, and many of them will want to share the taxi to SJPP. Also it is unlikely that you will be the only one who signed up for Express Bourricot for that date and time. You can email Caroline and tell her that you would like to book only as long as there other pilgrims to share, and certainly she will let you know a few days ahead what is the rate. Nobody pays 84 euro for a ride from Bayonne.... it is usually around 20-25.

You can see the last year Bourricot bookings from the month of May here:
https://web.archive.org/web/20150510150653/http://www.expressbourricot.com/
The second part of April is not very different from May.
Buen Camino!

 

[Meg Worland]

Thanks arthur1218. Seems the possibilities are expanding.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I tried booking on line but it would not accept my destination (SJPdP) on the 'international' form...maybe it is too early.

Go to https:/www.alsa.es/en/ and click in the "Point of departure" type-in box. A pop-up allows you to pick a "Departure country" of "Spain." Then in the "Point of departure" box start typing "Pamplona" (without the quotes). As you type the name the pop-up starts showing fewer and fewer names until you can either finish typing or click on one of the names shown in the pop-up. Next do something similar in the "Destination" type-in box and pick "France" in the pop-up. Go back to the Destination type-in box and (this is the secret) type in the name "Saint Jean de Pied de Port" (without the quotes). If you abbreviate "Saint" as "St" or "St." then Alsa won't find the town.

Would you know if the bus depot in Pamplona is close to they rain station?

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ain-station-to-bus-station.19601/#post-146222