Camino Frances-Finally

[SAFCayman]

We are starting the Camino Frances the 8th of September 2022. Flying into Paris and making our way to Saint Jean.

My question is:
How long does it take to deplane and clear customs at the Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris. We arrive at 6:50 am and hope to catch the 8:10 train.

Comments are much appreciated.

SAF

 

[roving_rufus]

Just for clarification. The 8.10 train from where?

 

[SAFCayman]

Just for clarification. The 8.10 train from where?

The 8:10 from the Charles de Gaulle airport to Bayonne and onto Saint Jean.

 

[TMcA]

Understanding that you are talking about the 8:10 train from the station at CDG, I would say you probably will not make it. However, you might if:

• your flight arrives on time and you promptly deplane
• you have no checked luggage to collect
• the lines at Immigration are short and move very quickly
• you move at warp speed to the CDG train station
• you have purchased your train tickets in advance

I flew from the U.S. to Oslo via Amsterdam a month ago. My plane was full and the lines at Immigration were long (shorter perhaps for citizens of EU countries). People are finally travelling again, myself included. But it took a long time for this transfer to our flight to Oslo.

Good luck.

Tom

 

[SAFCayman]

Thank you for the reply. Not what I wanted to hear. We are finding it a challenge to get to Saint Jean the same day.

 

[Rick M]

Can I suggest spending a night in Paris and taking the train the next day? You have a long flight, and will need to get some sleep and rehydrate. If you are in an all fired hurry to get started, you can also catch a Hop! (Air France regional carrier) flight from CDG to Biarritz. From there, Express Bourricott will come get you and take you to SJPP, or you can take a city bus to the Bayonne station to take the train to SJPP.

 

[SAFCayman]

Thanks. That is looking better and better. We had planned on resting and exploring SJPP on the 7th and starting our Camino on the 8th.

 

[K_Lynn]

That does not leave a lot of time to get through customs and collect luggage if needed. Flights from CDG to Biarritz (Bayonne) are reasonable when booked in advance and a train from Bayonne to SJPdP or a shared taxi would get you in by mid day.
Buen Camino!

 

[Grousedoctor]

It is a challenge getting to SJPP in a single day. I’ve done it, but the stars were all aligned for me that day.The problems, as well stated above, are things out of your control. Primarily, will your plane arrive on time and how long will be the customs line? Catching the 8:10 train is cutting it close. I just arrived in Mexico City yesterday. We were an hour late! Not too bad, but if we had had connections, we might not have made them. No predictability to travel these days. Therefore, a couple ideas to offer. Later trains. Have you looked at the schedule out of the Gare Montparnasse? There has been a late morning train in the past to Bayonne where you could still catch the local commuter rail to SJPP. Or, get as far as Bayonne, spend the night, and go into SJPP on the first morning train. Another option, as mentioned above, spend your first night in Paris, particularly if you’ve never been there, and train south in the morning. In any case, as mentioned above, don’t check your luggage. Be able to get off the plane and head out as quickly as you need to. From my experience at CDG, find a later leaving train. Good luck and Buen Camino.

 

[SAFCayman]

That does not leave a lot of time to get through customs and collect luggage if needed. Flights from CDG to Biarritz (Bayonne) are reasonable when booked in advance and a train from Bayonne to SJPdP or a shared taxi would get you in by mid day.
Buen Camino!

I am looking at all options. I know once we get on the trail, all of this will melt away.
SAF

 

[SAFCayman]

It is a challenge getting to SJPP in a single day. I’ve done it, but the stars were all aligned for me that day.The problems, as well stated above, are things out of your control. Primarily, will your plane arrive on time and how long will be the customs line? Catching the 8:10 train is cutting it close. I just arrived in Mexico City yesterday. We were an hour late! Not too bad, but if we had had connections, we might not have made them. No predictability to travel these days. Therefore, a couple ideas to offer. Later trains. Have you looked at the schedule out of the Gare Montparnasse? There has been a late morning train in the past to Bayonne where you could still catch the local commuter rail to SJPP. Or, get as far as Bayonne, spend the night, and go into SJPP on the first morning train. Another option, as mentioned above, spend your first night in Paris, particularly if you’ve never been there, and train south in the morning. In any case, as mentioned above, don’t check your luggage. Be able to get off the plane and head out as quickly as you need to. From my experience at CDG, find a later leaving train. Good luck and Buen Camino.

It looks like there is a train out of CDG at 12:38 to Byonne and a taxi from there.
Thank you for your help.
SAF

 

[Lou Lulu]

I took the 12:38 train on Wednesday to Bayonne. My flight to Paris CDG was due at 7:35am but was running about 40 minutes late, I was so glad I booked the later train as I originally looked at one around 9:20 from memory.

 

[SAFCayman]

If by some chance we can make the 8:10 so much the better, but i do believe the 12:38 is a good plan.
SAF

 

[Slkalina]

We are starting the Camino Frances the 8th of September 2022. Flying into Paris and making our way to Saint Jean.

My question is:
How long does it take to deplane and clear customs at the Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris. We arrive at 6:50 am and hope to catch the 8:10 train.

Comments are much appreciated.

SAF

Highly doubtful. Luggage alone will take at least half an hour.

 

[SAFCayman]

Highly doubtful. Luggage alone will take at least half an hour.

Thanks

 

[Kanga]

@SAFCayman if you do not want to travel into Paris, the Airport Ibis is a reasonably priced alternative I’ve used a few times. I’m often exhausted after the long flight from Australia. Paris is one of my favourite cities in the world but for me is not worth the hassle for less than 24 hours.

 

[SAFCayman]

@SAFCayman if you do not want to travel into Paris, the Airport Ibis is a reasonably priced alternative I’ve used a few times. I’m often exhausted after the long flight from Australia. Paris is one of my favourite cities in the world but for me is not worth the hassle for less than 24 hours.

You can chalk that up to our ignorance. Everything is already planned and paid. We will make the best of it.