A compendium of useful links for travel from Madrid to Roncesvalles and SJPdP via Pamplona

[whariwharangi]

This thread discusses travel options from Madrid to Roncesvalles and Saint Jean Pied de Port (SJPdP) via Pamplona.

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 The material in this thread was researched using web resources that may be out of date.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

Summary

There are at least 3 options for travel from Madrid to Pamplona.

1. Travel by plane from Madrid to Pamplona.

2. Travel by Renfe train from Madrid to Pamplona.

3. Travel by bus from Madrid to Pamplona.

The urban bus to Roncesvalles and the international bus to Saint Jean Pied de Port leave from the bus station in Pamplona.

Note that bus service from Pamplona to SJPdP is seasonal. The alternative is to travel via Bayonne.

Getting around in Madrid

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/en/madrid-barajas-airport/index.html

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

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

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

EMT Madrid #203 operates a bright yellow express bus every 13 -20 minutes from the airport T1-T2-T3 and airport T4 to Puerta de Atocha with two stops enroute.

EMT Madrid operates bus #200 from the airport T1-T2-T3 and airport T4 to 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). Cercanias trains go direct to Chamartin station and Puerta de Atocha station.
http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/cercanias/madrid/index.html

EMT Madrid Airport Express #203 - Airport to Puerta de Atocha
http://www.emtmadrid.es/Aeropuerto

EMT Madrid #200 - Airport to Intercambiador de Avenida de America
http://www.emtmadrid.es/Aeropuerto

Madrid to Pamplona

Renfe is Spain's train system. Madrid has two major train stations; Puerta de Atocha and Chamartin. Trains usually do not stop at both stations. The route to Pamplona goes via Zaragoza. Transfers may be required so check the itenerary.

Puerta de Atocha is reached by Metro, Cercanias, or EMT bus. Take Metro line 8 from airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Nuevos Ministerios; line 10 to Tribunal; and, line 1 to Renfe Atocha. Or take the Cercanias train from T4 to Puerta de Atocha. Alternatively, take EMT Aeropuerto Express bus from airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Puerta de Atocha - 24/7.

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

Renfe (Spain's train system)
http://www.renfe.com/index.html

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

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

There are several bus stations in Madrid. PLM Autocares and ALSA operate buses to Pamplona from Barajas Airport T4, and Estacion (or Intercambiador) de Avenida de America. Note with ALSA there is a transfer at Soria or Zaragoza.

ALSA
https://www.alsa.es/

PLM Autocares
http://plmautocares.com/

Bus station at T4 - take the inter-terminal shuttle from T1-T2-T3 to T4.

Intercambiador de Avenida de America is co-located with the Metro. Take Metro line 8 from airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Mar de Cristal; and, line 4 to Avenida de America. Or take EMT bus #200 from T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Intercambiador de Avenida de America.

Pamplona

Pamplona Airport (PNA)
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/en/pamplona-airport/index.html

Estacion de Autobuses de Pamplona
http://estaciondeautobusesdepamplona.com/Inicio.aspx

Pamplona Renfe Station
http://www.adif.es/es_ES/infraestructuras/estaciones/80100/informacion_000111.shtml

Pamplona to Roncesvalles

Urban bus service to Roncesvalles is provided by Autocares Artieda and departs from Estacion de Autobuses de Pamplona. This bus service does not operate on Sundays.

Autocares Artieda
http://www.autocaresartieda.com/?scc=svpropios

CONDA will pick up passengers at Roncesvalles bound for SJPdP but does not have a license to transport from Pamplona to Roncesvalles in either direction.

Pamplona to Saint Jean Pied de Port

CONDA (a subsidiary of ALSA) provides ~seasonal~ bus service from Pamplona to Saint Jean Pied de Port. The SJPdP bus stop is located near the junction of Route d'Uhart and Route d'Arneguy. Trip time is one hour 45 minutes. The bus then returns from SJPdP to Pamplona. The CONDA site advises that you purchase the ticket from Pamplona to SJPdP separately from any other bus ticket.

The bus from Pamplona to SJPdP ran daily 1000 13 June to 31 August 2014, 1430 1 June to 30 Sept 2014, and 1730 17 March to 30 September 2014. The schedule for the 1430 bus was extended first to 3 Nov 2014 and again to 7 Dec 2014.

The CONDA bus service usually starts just prior to Easter and terminates some weeks before winter solstice. Schedules are not usually updated more than one month in advance.

ALSA
https://www.alsa.es/

CONDA
http://www.conda.es/

Pamplona Taxi
http://www.taxipamplona.com/

Links checked March 2017.

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

This is incredibly Helpful. Thank you very much!!!

 

[Anniesantiago]

You can also book a taxi from Pamplona to SJPP. Caminofacil can arrange this and there are other taxi companies, but Caminofacil has the best price in my experience.

The taxi takes 8 people and cost is split among them, so if you can gather a group leaving together, it's more affordable. This year I think they are charging around 130 Euros.

If you are one person, you might have better luck with Taxi Pamplona. Here is last year's rate:

TARIFAS (Precio por taxi):

PAMPLONA - RONCESVALLES

IMPORTE LABORABLE - 06 a 22 horas - taxi: 55 euros
IMPORTE LABORABLE - 22 A 06 horas - taxi: 68 euros
IMPORTE SABADOS, FESTIVOS - taxi: 68 euros

AEROPUERTO - RONCESVALLES

IMPORTE LABORABLE - 06 a 22 horas - taxi: 58 euros
IMPORTE LABORABLE - 22 A 06 horas - taxi: 72 euros
IMPORTE SABADOS, FESTIVOS - taxi: 72 euros

PAMPLONA - S. JEAN PIED PORT

IMPORTE LABORABLE - 06 a 22 horas - taxi: 93 euros
IMPORTE LABORABLE - 22 A 06 horas - taxi: 116 euros
IMPORTE SABADOS, FESTIVOS - taxi: 116 euros

AEROPUERTO - S. JEAN PIED PORT

IMPORTE LABORABLE - 06 a 22 horas - taxi: 96 euros
IMPORTE LABORABLE - 22 A 06 horas - taxi: 120 euros
IMPORTE SABADOS, FESTIVOS - taxi: 120 euros

contact them for reservations at
reservas@taxipamplona.com

Use Google Translate to send your message in Spanish.
***********

You can also take the bus from Pamplona to Roncesvalles and get a taxi from Roncesvalles to SJPP.
Again, the cost is per taxi and you can split it between pilgrims if you can find people who are traveling to SJPP. You could put a post on this forum and perhaps pick up some extra pilgrims.

 

[zoharmez]

This is incredibly Helpful. Thank you very much!!!

grate information.
thank's alot.

 

[zoharmez]

This is incredibly Helpful. Thank you very much!!!

 

[Lindsey Siehda]

Am I missing something? I can not find service from Pamplona to St Jean Pied de Port on either site? Can I pre-purchase a ticket for May 5, 2015?

ALSA
https://www.alsa.es/

Conda
http://www.conda.es/

 

[jbear]

Am I missing something? I can not find service from Pamplona to St Jean Pied de Port on either site? Can I pre-purchase a ticket for May 5, 2015?

ALSA
https://www.alsa.es/

Conda
http://www.conda.es/

Try the CONDA site again. Play with dates you may be trying to book too far out.

 

[edandjoan]

This thread discusses travel options from Madrid to Roncesvalles and Saint Jean Pied de Port (SJPdP) via Pamplona.



The bus service usually starts just prior to Easter and terminates at the end of autumn. Schedules are not usually updated more than one month in advance.

What does "at the end of autumn" mean?
And we are actually looking for a bus from Roncevalles to Pamplona late September 2015 after walking from Le Puy.
We would be thankful for any information .

 

[Rebecca Lehman]

Following this thread on May 4. We are flying into Madrid on 15 May, 15 and would like to take the train to Pamplona on Sunday 17 May, 15. However, I am getting error messages when I try to book. Since they are in Spanish I cannot tell what the error messages are. My question is... do I need to pre-book my train or can we purchase tickets in Madrid for Sunday travel? Do trains travel on Sunday? Anybody know the answers to these questions?

 

[whariwharangi]

Following this thread on May 4. We are flying into Madrid on 15 May, 15 and would like to take the train to Pamplona on Sunday 17 May, 15. However, I am getting error messages when I try to book. Since they are in Spanish I cannot tell what the error messages are. My question is... do I need to pre-book my train or can we purchase tickets in Madrid for Sunday travel? Do trains travel on Sunday? Anybody know the answers to these questions?

Renfe trains do travel Sunday.

You can buy tickets at the station prior to boarding. Beware that sometimes there is a long line (while the ticket machines go unused ... ).

You can buy tickets on the train (Renfe but not SNCF) for cash only (if there is a seat available).

The advantages of buying in advance are that you can often get tickets at a lower price and sometimes (usually during holidays) trains do get booked full.

 

[cclala]

Can anyone recommend a place to stay overnight in Pamplona? My flight arrives too late to be picked up by Corazon Puro.

 

[templarsoul]

Great TRAIN price through Renfe. Our family is a month away from our Camino. Madrid to Pamplona was the only piece missing. We opted for taking the train over the bus, but trying to book through RailEurope the cost was 74 Euro EACH! I went to directly to Renfe's site (Renfe.es) and managed a "tarifa 4 mesa" price of only 18.85 each! There are other promotions, but the catch with this one is you must be in a block of four seats and sit facing each other, with a table in between. It clearly states you don't need four people, but have to buy the four seats. Even if two were traveling, 36 euros is still less than half the 74 fare and means you'd have a place to rest your mochilla! Buen Camino!

 

[Castilian]

You can buy tickets on the train (Renfe but not SNCF) for cash only (if there is a seat available).

You can't get tickets on the train in any of the trains with control of access to the train.

The only case in which you can get a ticket on the train safely is if you catch the train on a train station without a sales desk and without a sales machine.

If you take a train without control of access to the train in a station with an opened sales desk or a working sales machine, the conductor should decide whether to issue you a ticket at full fare (best case), to issue a ticket at full fare and give you a verbal warning, to issue you a ticket at full fare plus a fine or to take other sort of action.

In short: don't board a RENFE train without a ticket because you can have an unpleasant surprise and/or experience once inside the train.

 

[whariwharangi]

You can't get tickets on the train in any of the trains with control of access to the train.

The only case in which you can get a ticket on the train safely is if you catch the train on a train station without a sales desk and without a sales machine.

If you take a train without control of access to the train in a station with an opened sales desk or a working sales machine, the conductor should decide whether to issue you a ticket at full fare (best case), to issue a ticket at full fare and give you a verbal warning, to issue you a ticket at full fare plus a fine or to take other sort of action.

In short: don't board a RENFE train without a ticket because you can have an unpleasant surprise and/or experience once inside the train.

Thats not what the Renfe site says. However I can't imagine being able to board a without the conductor wanting to see a ticket and sell you one if needs be before boarding. I would defer to Castilian's recommendation that you don't try to board a train without a ticket if you can get one prior to boarding.

Renfe Pago Abordo
http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/info/pago_abordo.html

 

[Castilian]

Thats not what the Renfe site says.

Yes, it is. The link you provided doesn't gainsay what I wrote. I think you'll understand it all better if you take a look at point 17 of the General Conditions for Medium Haul trains (www.renfe.com/empresa/informacion_legal/condiciones_media.html), point 17 of the General Conditions for Cercanías (commuter) trains (www.renfe.com/empresa/informacion_legal/condiciones_cercanias.html) and point 20 of the General conditions for High Speed and Long Distance trains (www.renfe.com/empresa/informacion_legal/condiciones_larga_distancia.html).

However I can't imagine being able to board a without the conductor wanting to see a ticket and sell you one if needs be before boarding.

On some trains there's an access control before boarding the train. If you don't have a valid ticket, you'll probably be requested to get one on the ticket sales desk (unless there's some extraordinary circunstance -e.g.: computers not working at the sales desk- in which case extraordinary solutions might be given). On some stations, if you plan to take a commuter train, you have to pass a metro style access to the platforms (so no ticket, no access). BTW, even if you pass a control before boarding the train, don't forget to keep your ticket till the end of your trip as the conductor or any other authorized staff could request it once again once you are on board.

On the rest of the trains, you board the train and it's once inside the train when the conductor request you to show him/her your ticket. If you don't have one and boarded the train in a station with ticket sales desk, one of the points of the General Conditions I quoted above will apply to you (the specific one will depend on the specific -type of- train -commuter, medium haul or long distance- you boarded).

 

[whariwharangi]

Yes, it is. The link you provided doesn't gainsay what I wrote. I think you'll understand it all better if you take a look at point 17 of the General Conditions for Medium Haul trains (www.renfe.com/empresa/informacion_legal/condiciones_media.html), point 17 of the General Conditions for Cercanías (commuter) trains (www.renfe.com/empresa/informacion_legal/condiciones_cercanias.html) and point 20 of the General conditions for High Speed and Long Distance trains (www.renfe.com/empresa/informacion_legal/condiciones_larga_distancia.html).



On some trains there's an access control before boarding the train. If you don't have a valid ticket, you'll probably be requested to get one on the ticket sales desk (unless there's some extraordinary circunstance -e.g.: computers not working at the sales desk- in which case extraordinary solutions might be given). On some stations, if you plan to take a commuter train, you have to pass a metro style access to the platforms (so no ticket, no access). BTW, even if you pass a control before boarding the train, don't forget to keep your ticket till the end of your trip as the conductor or any other authorized staff could request it once again once you are on board.

On the rest of the trains, you board the train and it's once inside the train when the conductor request you to show him/her your ticket. If you don't have one and boarded the train in a station with ticket sales desk, one of the points of the General Conditions I quoted above will apply to you (the specific one will depend on the specific -type of- train -commuter, medium haul or long distance- you boarded).

So my understanding is: a 5 (for 75 km or less) or 10 euro penalty for MD trains and the fare is double for AVE, Trenhotel, and ALVIA trains ... Except in unusual circumstance where there is no option to purchase a ticket at the station of boarding. And you will not be able to board at stations where there are controls (such as security) in place.

 

[Castilian]

So my understanding is: a 5 (for 75 km or less) or 10 euro penalty for MD trains

As a general rule, it's double fare penalty on MD trains. 5 Euros (10 Euros if the route is longer than 75 kms) would be the minimum penalty you would have to pay if twice the full fare means a lower amount of money. For example, you are making a short route that costs 2 Euros. Twice the full fare would be 4 Euros as it's lower than the minimum amount of 5 Euros, you would have to pay 5 Euros penalty (plus the full fare of the ticket; i.e.: 7 Euros total).

the fare is double for AVE, Trenhotel, and ALVIA trains

I'm not fully sure if that's all or if that's just the penalty in which case you would need to pay also the ticket at full fare (like in MD trains).

 

[movinmaggie]

Can anyone suggest an overnight hotel/pension/whatever in Madrid? I need to travel by train to Pamplona the next morning, but not sure what train station. I was hoping to find something close. Thanks for any help….

 

[Castilian]

I need to travel by train to Pamplona the next morning, but not sure what train station.

You'll depart from Puerta de Atocha (aka Atocha) train station. Plenty of accommodations on the surroundings of that train station. Take a look at webs like www.booking.com (where you can select Atocha train station as destination what helps to find the closest accommodations) or any other similar and pick your choice.

 

[whariwharangi]

Can anyone suggest an overnight hotel/pension/whatever in Madrid? I need to travel by train to Pamplona the next morning, but not sure what train station. I was hoping to find something close. Thanks for any help….

I stayed at a place called Chic and Basic in Madrid. Its located about 5-10 minutes walk from Puerta de Atocha. It seemed to me a splendid place ... clean and quiet ... particularly as I had been staying in Albergues for a couple of months.

http://www.atrapalo.com/hoteles/112278-0_hotel-chic-basic-atocha

 

[movinmaggie]

I stayed at a place called Chic and Basic in Madrid. Its located about 5-10 minutes walk from Puerta de Atocha. It seemed to me a splendid place ... clean and quiet ... particularly as I had been staying in Albergues for a couple of months.

http://www.atrapalo.com/hoteles/112278-0_hotel-chic-basic-atocha

Thanks to both Castillian and whariwharangi for your kind suggestions…..my goodness; not sure what'd I'd do without all the
kindness and generosity on this forum. Much appreciated.

 

[Bala]

I have a couple questions about getting around the airport in Madrid.

We'll be arriving at Terminal 4S from the U.S. next Tuesday morning. We need to get the ALSA bus from T4.

If we clear customs in 4S, will we still have access to the People Mover to T4? Or do we need to take the inter-terminal bus?

We have about 2 1/2 hours between scheduled arrival and the bus departure for Pamplona. Is this realistic? We're not planning to check any luggage.

Any suggestions, advice, alternatives, corrections greatly appreciated! Thanks. Can't believe it's almost here!

 

[Tincatinker]

The APM is the only means of connection between T4S and T4. 2 1/2 hours should be more than adequate. You'll have time for an unspeakable coffee and a savagely over-priced Bocadillo before you board your bus

Buen camino

 

[Bala]

You'll have time for an unspeakable coffee and a savagely over-priced Bocadillo before you board your bus

Buen camino

Ahhhh. the perfect airport experience! . Thanks so much!

 

[whariwharangi]

The CONDA bus from Pamplona to SJPdP resumes service in March 2016 as per the following. See the ALSA schedule to confirm details.

1430 1 March 2016 daily
1730 23 March 2016 daily (This bus leaves San Sebastian at 1515)

 

[LuisCF]

Hi there, I am arriving at Pamplona railway station on 3rd June 2016 at @ 2.40 (AVE via Madrid). I am staying that night in Roncesvalles. I would be more than happy to share a taxi if anyone is interested.

Best wishes

Luis

 

[whariwharangi]

Hi there, I am arriving at Pamplona railway station on 3rd June 2016 at @ 2.40 (AVE via Madrid). I am staying that night in Roncesvalles. I would be more than happy to share a taxi if anyone is interested.

Best wishes

Luis

There is a bus at 1730. Save yourself a few euros.

 

[Nezabudka]

Hello,
Hope for an answer from experienced travelers.
Arriving to Madrid at 2pm (to T4S), only hand luggage, planning to take a high-speed train to Pamplona from Atocha. It's 5.35pm or 7.35pm, thus either 3.5 or 5.5 hours apart of my flight. I would prefer to prebook my train ticket and not sure which time better suits me. Cercanias C1 takes only half an hour to get from T4, so the question is - how long would it take me to get around in the airport - border control, customs (EU passport), transfer to T4 etc... Will it be enough with 3.5 hrs on everything? Or better not to risk and take the later train?
Thanks a lot.

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

The APM is the only means of connection between T4S and T4. 2 1/2 hours should be more than adequate. You'll have time for an unspeakable coffee and a savagely over-priced Bocadillo before you board your bus

Buen camino

APM?

 

[Tincatinker]

APM?

Airport People Mover https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrid_Barajas_Airport_People_Mover

 

[Stephan the Painter]

A very informative (and old) post! But the information still seems correct.

I'll be traveling from Toledo or Madrid- Pampalona - SJPP about April 7th-8th, 2020. Train and then CONDA bus. Obviously that is the week before Easter. I'm just not exactly decided which day.

I wish I could be casual, but I'm thinking that that particular week before Easter I should really solidly book everything?

And anybody know where the Conda bus stop is in Pamplona? Is it just at the regular bus station, which a navigation app is telling me is right next to the Parque de la vuelta de Castillo? I doesn't seem to say on their website. Thank you!

Update:
This Pampalona -SJPP bus is running as of April, 2020. I iust booked a ticket directly from the spanish ALSA site for 22 Euros. They require a passport #. They don't take US credit cards, but you can pay with Paypal. You can also can get the same ticket from the English OMIO website for about $8 US more where they do accept US credit cards. Just web-search for ALSA or OMIO.

I also easily booked a train ticket Toledo to Pampalona on the OMIO site. You can also do this on the RENFE site.

I'm still trying to ascertain the location of the bus station in Pampalona.

 

[Donjek]

A very informative (and old) post! But the information still seems correct.

I'll be traveling from Toledo or Madrid- Pampalona - SJPP about April 7th-8th, 2020. Train and then CONDA bus. Obviously that is the week before Easter. I'm just not exactly decided which day.

I wish I could be casual, but I'm thinking that that particular week before Easter I should really solidly book everything?

And anybody know where the Conda bus stop is in Pamplona? Is it just at the regular bus station, which a navigation app is telling me is right next to the Parque de la vuelta de Castillo? I doesn't seem to say on their website. Thank you!

Update:
This Pampalona -SJPP bus is running as of April, 2020. I iust booked a ticket directly from the spanish ALSA site for 22 Euros. They require a passport #. They don't take US credit cards, but you can pay with Paypal. You can also can get the same ticket from the English OMIO website for about $8 US more where they do accept US credit cards. Just web-search for ALSA or OMIO.

I also easily booked a train ticket Toledo to Pampalona on the OMIO site. You can also do this on the RENFE site.

I'm still trying to ascertain the location of the bus station in Pampalona.

Pamplona bus station. Use the 'Como Llegar' link

Bienvenidos a la Estación de Autobuses de Pamplona

La nueva estación de autobuses de Pamplona está construida con el objetivo de acercar lo ultimo en comodidad y movilidad a sus clientes.

www.estaciondeautobusesdepamplona.com