Best way to get from London to SJPDP?

[IantheScientist]

Hi All

I am starting my first Camino traveling first from Brisbane Australia to Oxford England. For personal reasons I will travel to SJPDP on April 5th to start the Camino on April 6th. Does anyone have advice on the bast way to get from London to SJPDP in a day?

Thanks!

 

[Molly Cassidy]

Gatwick to Biarritz with Easyjet seems to be the cheapest option. Bit of an early start, though.

 

[Bradypus]

Simplest would be a very early flight (6am) from Gatwick to Biarritz with EasyJet. Bus from the airport to Bayonne railway station then train to SJPDP. Ryanair's flight from Stansted that day arrives too late for public transport to SJPDP. Alternatively you could try flying to Bordeaux or Bilbao and taking public transport from there if the timing is right.

 

[Jarrad]

Depends how fast you want to get there. You can take a flight on easyJet to Biarritz for cheap (about 2 hour flight) and then take the Express Bourricot shuttle to SJPdP. Only hitch is that flight is 6 a.m.

 

[trecile]

There's also a Ryanair flight at 6:45 from Stansted Airport.

 

[Bradypus]

There's also a Ryanair flight at 6:45 from Stansted Airport.

I've overnighted at both airports. Neither is exactly fun but I find Gatwick a more comfortable and hospitable place. Also quicker and cheaper to reach from central London. Given a choice I would go for Gatwick every time.

 

[PiesIrlandeses]

Morning Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord.

Then SNCF from Paris Montparnasse to Bayonne, change train at Bayonne for the train to SJPdP.

 

[BarbaraW]

I think the nicest and most time efficient way would be to get a late afternoon train to Paris. Then a berth in an Intercite de Nuit from Paris Montparnasse. Change at Dax and Bayonne in the morning and arrive at SJPdP before 10am.
There's something very special about travelling by land to start walking a Camino. Alas, it's usually more expensive.

 

[Tincatinker]

I think the nicest and most time efficient way would be to get a late afternoon train to Paris. Then a berth in an Intercite de Nuit from Paris Montparnasse. Change at Dax and Bayonne in the morning and arrive at SJPdP before 10am.
There's something very special about travelling by land to start walking a Camino. Alas, it's usually more expensive.

That’s the route I took in 2012, except straight to Bayonne in time for petit-dejeuner. I was at the Bureau de Pelerin in St Jean with plenty of time for a gentle stroll to Valcarlos.

The experience of a 6 berth wagon-lit was an excellent introduction to Albergue life.

It remains a shame that such a journey is considerably more expensive than even a BA flight to Biarritz

 

[Harland2019]

There's also a Ryanair flight at 6:45 from Stansted Airport.

I've used this flight three times. Despite some people's views of Ryanair, I found them reliable and cheap. This flight gets you to SJPdP early enough to enjoy the place before setting off the next day or walking to Orisson the same day.

 

[Molly Cassidy]

I've used this flight three times. Despite some people's views of Ryanair, I found them reliable and cheap. This flight gets you to SJPdP early enough to enjoy the place before setting off the next day or walking to Orisson the same day.

I much prefer Ryanair to Easyjet.

 

[Vacajoe]

I've overnighted at both airports. Neither is exactly fun but I find Gatwick a more comfortable and hospitable place. Also quicker and cheaper to reach from central London. Given a choice I would go for Gatwick every time.

I want to know what sin you committed that sentenced you to TWO nights in hell!!!!

 

[Bradypus]

I want to know what sin you committed that sentenced you to TWO nights in hell!!!!

Far too many Caminos over the years. A small silver lining is that they were not consecutive nights. Cheap flights from the UK to Spain often leave very late at night or early in the morning. I live in west Wales and it takes me at least as long to get to a useful international airport as the time needed for check-in and the flight itself. A few hours overnight at the airport is not that big a deal. I usually have a sleeping bag and/or a bivvy bag with me and can nap for a few hours.

 

[IantheScientist]

Gatwick to Biarritz with Easyjet seems to be the cheapest option. Bit of an early start, though.

Thanks! Unfortunately, the 6:00 am flight is just a bit too early! I will look for alternatives!

 

[IantheScientist]

Simplest would be a very early flight (6am) from Gatwick to Biarritz with EasyJet. Bus from the airport to Bayonne railway station then train to SJPDP. Ryanair's flight from Stansted that day arrives too late for public transport to SJPDP. Alternatively you could try flying to Bordeaux or Bilbao and taking public transport from there if the timing is right.

Many thanks for the suggestions! The morning flights to Biarritz are unfortunately too early but I hadn’t thought of Bilbao - I will have a look at that!

 

[IantheScientist]

Morning Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord.

Then SNCF from Paris Montparnasse to Bayonne, change train at Bayonne for the train to SJPdP.

Many thanks! I will certainly look into the train option - much appreciated!