Bayonne

[Laliibeans]

I've gone over the travel plan with my family and they agree that after a 24-30 hour flight from Australia we don't want to rush and wear ourselves out before we start. So when we land we're going straight to Bayonne by train and should arrive mid-afternoon.

Can anyone recommend a good (cheap) place to stay that's close to a restaurant and the train station, and also if there is anything close by that area that is worth a relaxed look to fill in the rest of the afternoon (even just a street that's worth strolling down)?

We're hoping that by doing it this way it means a peaceful afternoon and the following day we'll have ample time to get to SJPP and have a nice wander around too, then we'll start the following day nice and fresh (hopefully!). As much as I'd love to see Paris, trying to cram it into a jetlagged afternoon just wouldn't be worth it. Especially when followed by an expensive hotel and then a full day of train travel the following day.

Any recommendations are apreciated

 

[irishmancamino]

Hi there,

From my readings of the forums, it seems the Hotel Monte-Carlo is the handiest place, it's meant to be very nice and it's just opposite the train station itself, which eases any worries trying to find that!

Buen Camino!

 

[efdoucette]

Hello, I can recommend the Ibis hotel about a 5 minute walk from the train station. Not really authentic France but very comfortable, especially after a long travel day. You can google map it. It's close to the river and offers a nice stroll along the riverfront or cross the river and head towards the cathedral. Bayonne is a beautiful town, very relaxing.

 

[Laliibeans]

Thanks, I'll have a look and compare prices of the two.

 

[mspath]

Laliibeans,

In Bayonne the Monte Carlo, 11 rue Hugues, is a small, inexpensive place which conveniently close to the Gare. Here is their web >> http://hotel-montecarlo.allcommerces.com/. Next morning you can easily catch the early TER line 62 train to SJPdP.

Bon Voyage and Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[KinkyOne]

Hi Laliibeans!

Check out this topic:
el-camino-frances/topic18142.html

If you'll have problems to find Hotel Monte Carlo look at the photo below and then walk out of the train station, head right and over the street and there it is. But as I remember from yesterday post the trains from Bayonne to SJPDP will not operate between 03.-28.06.2013.

Ultreia!

 

[Kiwi-family]

That's a wise decision. We had a week in Pris before heading to Spain, and that first afternoon (after our 35 hours from NZ) we forced everyone up Montmartre to keep them awake. Noone even cared to look at the Eiffel Tower, some of them fell asleep standing up on the metro back to the (cheap) hotel....but they did agree it was right to NOT go to sleep in the middle of the afternoon. Try not to snooze on the train and you'll adjust more quickly to local time. Maybe you could head off to the cathedral and get your first sello!

 

[mspath]

Bayonne to SJPdP via TER line 62 in June 2013


The French railroad SNCF has announced that from 3 June through 28 June BUSES will replace trains on the TER line 62 route which runs from Bayonne to SJPdP.

Tickets purchased earlier for the train are still usable on the buses. For those without rr tickets new tickets for the buses can be purchased in the Bayonne railroad station ticket office in the station lobby. The price to SJPdP is roughly 10 euros. There are no reserved seats.

The buses will depart from the parking area in front of the Bayonne station.

To read the new line 62 TER timetable for June click >> http://telechargement.ter-sncf.com/Imag ... -88536.pdf

Please don't panic over this change. The Gare SNCF in Bayonne is small and easily navigated. The staff is helpful and used to dealing with throngs of pilgrims as well as vacationers. They will help you find your way. The station cafe boasts many handy plugs for recharging your computer or smartphone; relax and have a drink.

Bon Voyage and Buen Camino,

MM

 

[Laliibeans]

Thanks for that info. That does look like it will be a very convenient spot to stay, and it looks quite nice, too!

I'm not leaving until next year but as my mother tends to panic a bit and my sister is trying to arrange her travel plans so we can all meet at Bayonne I'm trying to get the plan worked out far in advance. Then we can just concentrate on training!

 

[antepacem]

Oh, thanks all for this information on the trains, buses, and accommodation in Bayonne!

I'm arriving via red-eye to Paris the morning of June 11th, and I've had to accept that I won't be making it to SJPDP that night. It will be too stressful to try to make the last train that beats the last bus to SJPDP, and that's not how I want to spend my first day out!

I am, however, DETERMINED to make Orisson by the evening of the 12th, because it's my birthday, and I booked in there because it seems like the perfect place to turn 35. So I'll stay in Bayonne the night of the 11th, take an early ride to SJPDP, get my pilgrim passport, and drag my jet-lagged self up that hill to Orisson!

So soon!

 

[KinkyOne]

@antepacem

Happy Birthday in advance

 

[Laliibeans]

Have a great time! (Let me know of your review of Bayonne, where ever you stay)

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The river was lapping at the tracks today in several places, and we slowed to a crawl several times. The track has been washed out several times in the last few years, so SNCF is accustomed to using buses. Don't worry about future service and times; the French are not in control of the weather or the river!

 

[antepacem]

@antepacem

Happy Birthday in advance

Thank you!!!!