Getting from Madrid to SJPP

davebugg said:

You can catch a short flight to Biarritz, then take the train or shuttle to St Jean.

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John H. said:

A few options. I flew to Madrid, took a train from Madrid to Pamplona (or you can take a bus) and then a taxi from Pamplona to SJPP (you can take a bus or shuttle instead of the taxis to save $).

1. Getting to Pamplona and St Jean Pied de Port from Madrid:

a. Fly to Madrid Airport:

b. Shuttle Bus To Train Station: Take the Airport Express Bus from terminal 1 to Puerto De Atocha Train Station. The bus runs every 30 minutes and only has 2 stops after it leaves the airport, Plaza de Cibeles, and Atocha Station (15-30 minutes, 5 €). (A taxi would cost 30 Euros).

c. Train to Pamplona: Take the train from Madrid to Pamplona (Rail Europe / Alvia Train / Renfe) (3 hours, 50-100 €, buy your ticket online in advance to ensure seating).

d. Taxi From Pamplona to SJPP: Take a taxi from the Pamplona train station to SJPP (1 hour, $130 €). I found a few other people at the train station with back packs and we shared the taxi fare. (There are also other bus and shuttle options from Pamplona)

(There is also a bus to Pamplona from Avienda de America Bus Station in Madrid for less € but it takes 5 hours and you need to take a taxi from the train to the bus station. You would take a CONDA bus from Pamplona to SJPdP, OR, take ARTIEDA bus from Pamplona to Roncesvalles and a local taxi from Roncesvalles to St JPP.)

2. Coming home from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid:

a. One time I took a flight back to Madrid (if you know your dates and can book in advance it can be relatively cheap - but no change options)

b. One time I took the train for about 90€, booked it only one day in advance. It was very nice to view the interior Spain scenery (4-5 hours).

Have a great trip.

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Anniesantiago said:

In my opinion, the BEST way to do this is to walk out of the airport in Madrid and onto a bus to Pamplona. Spend one or two nights in Pamplona, seeing the wonderful sights of the city and resting from the jet lag. Then grab a €20 bus to SJPP. Spend TWO nights there, walking to Orisson the first day then to Roncesvalles the second day.

When the rest of the pilgrims are walking Brierley's stages and stopping in Pamplona, you'll have already seen it. You can stop before or after and get "between the wave" of pilgrims.

You can find the bus schedule from the T4Madrid on www.movelia.es which will show all the buses leaving. I do know both CONDA and ALSA have buses going that route, so you can also check their websites.

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