getting to SJPdP from Pamplona bus station....

[Mark Lee]

Though I have taken the ALSA bus before to Pamplona, I never actually took the bus from there to SJPdP.
I would be arriving there at 3:35 pm. The bus to SJPdP leaves at 5:30 pm. I'd rather not hang around that bus station for two hours. What are the chances of locating a fellow pilgrim(s) who are looking to taxi to SJPdP from there and split the cost?
Any personal experiences out there?
thanks in advance

 

[Kanga]

I caught the bus. It is so cheap there is no way I could justify a taxi, even a shared one. As the bus went up, up, up, and then down, down, down - I thought, blimey, why am I doing this again! But did not regret it later.

 

[jsalt]

Any personal experiences out there?

Hi Mark, when I leave home for a camino I always carry a secondhand paperback book with me for those long waits while travelling: in the airport, on the plane, at the bus station. By the time I get to my destination the book is almost finished, and as soon as I get a chance I leave it in an albergue for another bookworm to pick up. I have Kindle on my smartphone, but I don’t like to read it for long periods when I can’t charge the phone for a while, as in a bus station; hence the paperback. Jill

 

[julia-t]

No need to hang around the bus station. Put your backpack into a luggage locker for €4 (or keep it on your back!) and take maybe 10 minutes to walk into the city centre.

Have a beer or wine and some yummy pintxos in Calle San Nicolas before wandering back to the bus station. There will be other pilgrims waiting for the SJPdP bus to talk to by then.

It's only 2 hours!

 

[Dutchwalk53]

First congrats on going again . I just took the bus from Pamplona to SJPP a few weeks ago. I thought it was super easy and would do it again. Not sure if the Alsa bus that you took before dropped you off at the same bus station, but if it does, you may recall it's close to the city center. So as Julia wrote, relax and have a drink/Tapas and the 2 hrs will fly .
On locating pilgrims to share a taxi ride. I was at the bus station about 45 minutes early and yes there were plenty pilgrims waiting there. However most of them already purchased their bus ticket or were in line to do so. You could obviously try, and if it doesn't work you can still take the bus.
I also posted once a taxi share on this forum prior to my trip. That didn't work out.
Buen Camino !

 

[Phillypilgrim]

When I was wandering around the Pamplona bus station, 3 wonderful women from Madrid approached me to share a taxi to Roncesvalles,where I too was starting! You never know.

 

[Mark Lee]

First congrats on going again . I just took the bus from Pamplona to SJPP a few weeks ago. I thought it was super easy and would do it again. Not sure if the Alsa bus that you took before dropped you off at the same bus station, but if it does, you may recall it's close to the city center. So as Julia wrote, relax and have a drink/Tapas and the 2 hrs will fly .
On locating pilgrims to share a taxi ride. I was at the bus station about 45 minutes early and yes there were plenty pilgrims waiting there. However most of them already purchased their bus ticket or were in line to do so. You could obviously try, and if it doesn't work you can still take the bus.
I also posted once a taxi share on this forum prior to my trip. That didn't work out.
Buen Camino !

Yeah, in all likelihood I'll be taking the bus to SJPdP. I have reservations at an albergue there already arranged, so I'm not concerned about finding accommodations.
I'd be taking the ALSA bus from Madrid airport T4 to Pamplona. I'm under the assumption that the ALSA bus to SJPdP leaves from the same station that I arrive at from Madrid.

 

[Dutchwalk53]

Yeah, in all likelihood I'll be taking the bus to SJPdP. I have reservations at an albergue there already arranged, so I'm not concerned about finding accommodations.
I'd be taking the ALSA bus from Madrid airport T4 to Pamplona. I'm under the assumption that the ALSA bus to SJPdP leaves from the same station that I arrive at from Madrid.

I looked it up and yes it is the same bus station.

 

[Mark Lee]

I looked it up and yes it is the same bus station.

Thanks.
Just got my ALSA bus tickets online.

 

[Dutchwalk53]

Thanks.
Just got my ALSA bus tickets online.

Great. Enjoy! I've only been back 12 days and want to go again ha ha. Oh well......next year

 

[whariwharangi]

There is only one bus station in Pamplona. http://www.estaciondeautobusesdepamplona.com/eu/Inicio.aspx.html

 

[Deleted member 34316]

Mark, if you happen to be in Pamplona in the next few days, I can think of something to keep you occupied while waiting for your bus to SJPP:
Put on white t-shirt and a red bandana and walk aimlessly around Pamplona. In case you spot a large animal with two horns approaching you in a fast manner, turn around and start moving in the opposite direction. As fast as you can...

San Fermin/Running of the bulls: Pamplona 4th-16th July 2016

 

[Mark Lee]

Mark, if you happen to be in Pamplona in the next few days, I can think of something to keep you occupied while waiting for your bus to SJPP:
Put on white t-shirt and a red bandana and walk aimlessly around Pamplona. In case you spot a large animal with two horns approaching you in a fast manner, turn around and start moving in the opposite direction. As fast as you can...

San Fermin/Running of the bulls: Pamplona 4th-16th July 2016

Thanks, I would have happily done that 30 years ago when I was young, foolish and fast. Nowadays molasses flows faster in the winter than I move. I'm afraid I'd end up with hoof-prints all over my back.

 

[dougfitz]

Thanks, I would have happily done that 30 years ago when I was young, foolish and fast. Nowadays molasses flows faster in the winter than I move. I'm afraid I'd end up with hoof-prints all over my back.

It might be motivation to get back to that sub-45 min 10km time.

 

[VNwalking]

relax and have a drink/Tapas and the 2 hrs will fly .

So don't lose track of time and miss the bus!
A very Buen Camino to you Mark...being able to do the Frances is better than a sub-45 any day!

 

[Mark Lee]

It might be motivation to get back to that sub-45 min 10km time.

Man, that ain't never gonna happen, ha ha.
I'm content to watch the young and foolish risking their arse running from bovines on television. As they say, a man's got to know his limitations....ha ha

 

[Mark Lee]

So don't lose track of time and miss the bus!
A very Buen Camino to you Mark...being able to do the Frances is better than a sub-45 any day!

Thanks....
I've been to Pamplona 4-5 times before. I'm content to chill out at the bus station for two hours waiting. Besides, I'll be in Pamplona again just a few days after that.

 

[Deleted member 34316]

I've been to Pamplona 4-5 times before. I'm content to chill out at the bus station for two hours waiting. Besides, I'll be in Pamplona again just a few days after that.

Five times in Pamplona and you never wanted to check out the incredible Camino del Norte? San Sebastian is just 1 hour away from Pamplona by bus. That's the right place for the youngsters like you

 

[Mark Lee]

Five times in Pamplona and you never wanted to check out the incredible Camino del Norte? San Sebastian is just 1 hour away from Pamplona by bus. That's the right place for the youngsters like you

Youngster? Ummm, I'm 55 years old, but I will definitely take the compliment.
Already had my share of partying in foreign ports of call. I'll leave that to the real youngsters now. Besides, I did get pretty pissed in Pamplona when I was there in 2014.

 

[Deleted member 34316]

A few years ago I started Camino Frances from SJPP in the middle of the summer, and it was Pamplona where I took the bus to San Sebastian and switched to the Norte. I just couldn't stand the crowds any more. I think it was August, and the Camino Frances was like running of the bulls, just without the bulls. I can handle the Camino Frances off season, like in April or October, but the summer is the time of del Norte. This time, in couple of days I'll start from Irun, so we'll be walking on parallel Caminos. I still have to walk the last 21k from Santa Irene to Santiago on Frances in mid-August and meet the stampede... So this might be me who ends up with hoofprints on my back if I don't pay enough attention

 

[Colette Z]

Yeah, in all likelihood I'll be taking the bus to SJPdP. I have reservations at an albergue there already arranged, so I'm not concerned about finding accommodations.
I'd be taking the ALSA bus from Madrid airport T4 to Pamplona. I'm under the assumption that the ALSA bus to SJPdP leaves from the same station that I arrive at from Madrid.

Hi I'm wondering what your experience was/is taking the ALSA bus from Madrid T4 to Pamplona? I'm looking tom taxi share to SJPP since the ALSA overnight bus arrives in Pamplona at 06:30AM, Ill spend a few hours in P picking up a pair trekking poles, nail clippers etc (not checking my backpack in Ryanair) then would like not to wait till 14:30 to bus it to SJPP, so I can check in to Beiliri albergue and stroll around SJPP to start to Valcarlos next day.

 

[Mark Lee]

Hi I'm wondering what your experience was/is taking the ALSA bus from Madrid T4 to Pamplona? I'm looking tom taxi share to SJPP since the ALSA overnight bus arrives in Pamplona at 06:30AM, Ill spend a few hours in P picking up a pair trekking poles, nail clippers etc (not checking my backpack in Ryanair) then would like not to wait till 14:30 to bus it to SJPP, so I can check in to Beiliri albergue and stroll around SJPP to start to Valcarlos next day.

I made my ALSA bus reservations online before I left the US and paid with paypal. You even pick your seat on the bus. I made the reservations all the way to SJPdP, and did get there in the afternoon after waiting in the Pamplona bus station a couple of hours. If you can share a taxi, that would definitely be better. Gives you more time in SJPdP.
Riding the ALSA buses is okay. They're comfortable and air conditioned. You walk out of the terminal and board it about 50 meters away, and ALSA does have a kiosk right next to the exit if you have any questions. The bus to Pamplona was pretty full, but you stop in Soria and change buses. The bus station in Soria is small and they park right next to the bus you are changing to. You grab your pack from the luggage hold and put in the bus yourself. The bus from Soria to Pamplona was not full at all. I had a whole row of seats in the back and took a nap. The bus from Pamplona to SJPdP wasn't 100% full either.
All in all, I had a user friendly experience on the buses.

 

[Colette Z]

I made my ALSA bus reservations online before I left the US and paid with paypal. You even pick your seat on the bus. I made the reservations all the way to SJPdP, and did get there in the afternoon after waiting in the Pamplona bus station a couple of hours. If you can share a taxi, that would definitely be better. Gives you more time in SJPdP.
Riding the ALSA buses is okay. They're comfortable and air conditioned. You walk out of the terminal and board it about 50 meters away, and ALSA does have a kiosk right next to the exit if you have any questions. The bus to Pamplona was pretty full, but you stop in Soria and change buses. The bus station in Soria is small and they park right next to the bus you are changing to. You grab your pack from the luggage hold and put in the bus yourself. The bus from Soria to Pamplona was not full at all. I had a whole row of seats in the back and took a nap. The bus from Pamplona to SJPdP wasn't 100% full either.
All in all, I had a user friendly experience on the buses.

Thanks, I've made my online ALSA reservation already but because bus arrives in Pamplona at 6:30AM i would like to get over to SJPP, i reserved a pilgrim taxi w option to share, i might meet a fellow pilgrim on the bus if not I'm treating myself to the taxi since I'm a non smoker non drinker. Thanks

 

[MikeShaw]

I caught the bus. It is so cheap there is no way I could justify a taxi, even a shared one. As the bus went up, up, up, and then down, down, down - I thought, blimey, why am I doing this again! But did not regret it later.

Thanks, Kanga - I wasn't really worried, but your post reassures me a lot! I arrive Pamplona May 22, 2017, so I'll just get to the bus station and wait for the next bus to SJPP. Gracias!

 

[whariwharangi]

Thanks, I've made my online ALSA reservation already but because bus arrives in Pamplona at 6:30AM i would like to get over to SJPP, i reserved a pilgrim taxi w option to share, i might meet a fellow pilgrim on the bus if not I'm treating myself to the taxi since I'm a non smoker non drinker. Thanks

Two things:

There are as many as 4 buses daily from Pamplona to SJPdP ... depending on the month of travel. Schedule is usually posted not more than 4 weeks in advance. CONDA is the service provider http://www.conda.es/eventos.php?tipo=3&id=438

Why not go ALSA bus from Madrid to San Sebastian? Take ALSA or PESA bus from San Sebastian to Bayonne. Or Renfe Cercanias train to Irun, cross the border and take SNCF train from Hendaye to Bayonne. Then, take SNCF train from Bayonne to SJPdP; there are 4 daily all year.