Overnight in Hendaye French border) for train

[jonarv]

I fancy returning home from Santiago to the UK overland if I have time, to give me a chance to chill a bit before returning to the world.

It looks like the daily train from Santiago gets me to the French border at Hendaye 915pm and requires me to overnight before carrying on the next morning to Paris.

Hostels will be closed by then I guess so does anyone know if there is reasonably priced accommodation close to the station?

Alternative could be to get off train earlier at another town, but that makes it a very long day home to Blighty the next day!

 

[Deleted member 36903]

Hi jonarv, I don't know if your train is already booked but have you considered returning via ferry Santander to Plymouth or Portsmouth? It is a very good way of slowly re-acclimatising to everyday life after walking the Camino.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Check booking.com for available hotels, which should be open at almost any hour.

 

[jonarv]

Hi jonarv, I don't know if your train is already booked but have you considered returning via ferry Santander to Plymouth or Portsmouth? It is a very good way of slowly re-acclimatising to everyday life after walking the Camino.

I looked at ferry - that took 3 days total and too much hassle. 7 hr bus to Santander, overnight, then 24 hour ferry THEN long train journey to get home late evening. I like the idea that the Day 1 train retraces much of the route we will have walked. And that I can just gaze out at landscape.

 

[Bradypus]

Most of the international trains between Spain and France now seem to take the high-speed Madrid-Barcelona-Paris route. Very fast services. Perhaps you might find more convenient timings and connections returning to the UK via Barcelona?

 

[KinkyOne]

I fancy returning home from Santiago to the UK overland if I have time, to give me a chance to chill a bit before returning to the world.

It looks like the daily train from Santiago gets me to the French border at Hendaye 915pm and requires me to overnight before carrying on the next morning to Paris.

Hostels will be closed by then I guess so does anyone know if there is reasonably priced accommodation close to the station?

Alternative could be to get off train earlier at another town, but that makes it a very long day home to Blighty the next day!

Hendaye train station is maybe only 1km from Irun pilgrim albergue which closes at 10PM and you can get off the train even earlier in Spain (=Irun). Also you didn't mention the time of your return. This is quite touristy area so in the summer hostals & pensiones etc. might be full or at least quite expensive. Another option is to take a short bus/train ride from Hendaye to Bayonne and search for accommodation there (if you need info on unofficial private lodging for 20€ feel free to PM me).

K1

 

[whariwharangi]

Most of the international trains between Spain and France now seem to take the high-speed Madrid-Barcelona-Paris route. Very fast services. Perhaps you might find more convenient timings and connections returning to the UK via Barcelona?

Actually ... not. It takes about the same amount of actual travel time to go from Santiago to Paris via Irun as it does Santiago to Paris via Barcelona. It depends on your schedule if one route works out better than the other.

 

[whariwharangi]

I fancy returning home from Santiago to the UK overland if I have time, to give me a chance to chill a bit before returning to the world.

It looks like the daily train from Santiago gets me to the French border at Hendaye 915pm and requires me to overnight before carrying on the next morning to Paris.

Hostels will be closed by then I guess so does anyone know if there is reasonably priced accommodation close to the station?

Alternative could be to get off train earlier at another town, but that makes it a very long day home to Blighty the next day!

If Irun doesn't work for you get off at San Sebastian. The Renfe Cercanias trains to Irun and the Euskotren Metro Donostialdea trains to Hendaia start early enough to catch a Paris bound train from Hendaye.

 

[mspath]

In Hendaye a simple, pleasant hotel vety close to the railroad station is the Hotel de la Gare.
http://www.hoteldelagare-palombebleue.com/

If you call ahead they will hold a room for you.

 

[jonarv]

Thanks all. And station hotel looks perfect. It'll be first week in July so a busy time, hence wanting to plan options. But I'm not making any return arrangements till towards end of Camino as I don't want to be stressed by having to meet reservations. If the walk timings get tight, I can always fly. Or ask boss nicely for a few more days leave

 

[poogeyejr]

If Irun doesn't work for you get off at San Sebastian. The Renfe Cercanias trains to Irun and the Euskotren Metro Donostialdea trains to Hendaia start early enough to catch a Paris bound train from Hendaye.

I stayed at a hostel by the Euskotren station in San Sebastian and 'commuted' to Hendaye for 4 days late January it was very convenient. If the Hotel in Hendaye is not available you could check out "A Room In The City" hostel. Secure, Clean, Lockers and private bed spaces.

Have a wonderful trip. Buen Camino.