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How to explore Basque Coast (Bayonne, Anglet, Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz, Hendaye stretch) before Irun?

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mochikarp

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
CdN (June 2024)
Originally I planned to start CdN from Irun directly, thus I booked a flight to San Sebastian Airport (EAS). However, I've read several guides and learned that the Basque Coast towns are worth visiting as well, so I've decided I will try to grab a BlaBlaCar or FlixBus from Irun/Hendaye to Bayonne right after I land at EAS (I can't take the train from Hendaye to Bayonne because I'll only arrive in EAS at 8.40pm).

I would like tips/recommendations on how to approach the stretch from Bayonne to Hendaye. Which of these 2 options should I go for?

1) Check out from Bayonne the next morning and start my CdN walk from Bayonne immediately? I know Gronze has a route starting from Bayonne, but that means I will have to carry my backpack throughout, and I don't know if I'm 100% keen on doing that right after a 27-hours journey from Singapore to San Sebastian

2) Stay a few nights in Bayonne, so I leave my backpack in the hostel, bring my valuables with me in a daypack and explore between Bayonne - Hendaye using public transport?
Pros (that I can think of): I can explore these towns with a significantly lighter weight and take it easy before I start CdN formally in Irun.
Cons: Every night, I'll have to return from wherever I end up to Bayonne. Not 100% sure if that's feasible, because I don't know how easy/difficult it is to travel along the stretch in terms of public transport availability and frequency of trains/buses.

Or are there other ways to approach it besides these 2 options? Whatever it is, I appreciate any recommendations/tips and thanks in advance!
 
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San Sebastián is on the Basque coast and it is beautiful. So what exactly is your problem and why the hurry to get to Bayonne?
 
Those towns in the French Basque Country are lovely! I have walked Biarritz to St Jean de Luz on the Norte and it's a nice walk. I have also stayed in Bayonne for a few nights with day trips to Biarritz and St. Jean de Luz using public transport and that worked well too! The local buses can get very busy but I remember the train being quieter and more comfortable. I really love both Bayonne and St Jean de Luz

Both options are good - walking or day trips. I suppose it depends more on how you'll feel after the flight.

For transport, you can also look up BlaBla Bus...it's relatively new but has some cheap rates. I've used them to get to the French Basque country from Bilbao.

Happy planning!
 
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MinaKamina said:
San Sebastián is on the Basque coast and it is beautiful. So what exactly is your problem and why the hurry to get to Bayonne?
Click to expand...
Currently, my thinking is if I already know I want to explore from Bayonne and onwards (directionally on the map it makes sense to me), I want to try going to Bayonne directly than to spend 70 SGD (~48EUR, that's the cheapest I've found for a solo traveler) in Irun for one night before getting to Bayonne the next day.
 
Thanks for your sharing! You've given me comfort in knowing that both my ideas are feasible I'll see how I feel after the flight - chances are I'll stay in Bayonne for a few nights!
 
mochikarp said:
Thanks for your sharing! You've given me comfort in knowing that both my ideas are feasible I'll see how I feel after the flight - chances are I'll stay in Bayonne for a few nights!
Click to expand...
The albergue in Bayonne is wonderful.

Refuge Saint-Jacques | Albergue de Peregrinos en Bayonne/Baiona | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Refuge Saint-Jacques, en Bayonne/Baiona: Precio, plazas, características, etc...
www.gronze.com
As is the alberge in Guethary:

Gîte Pèlerins GEO | Albergue de Peregrinos en Guéthary | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Gîte Pèlerins GEO, en Guéthary: Precio, plazas, características, etc...
www.gronze.com
It is a good walk from Bayonne to Irun. Check it out you may like it alot
 
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...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
If you can be in St Jean de Luz on sunday morning don’t miss the mass. It is beautiful especially if they sing in basque. It is where Louis XIV married the Infante of Spain.
 
I went to Biarritz to stay a couple of days after arriving from the US in order to get acclimatized to the Camino a year ago. I got more than I bargained for. I enjoyed thoroughly the area. I rode bikes to Bayonne and other surrounding areas. They are beautiful.
 
You will have had a 27 hour rest, so sling your pack and get going
 
Let us pick up your suitcase once you arrive in Europe....
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
I agree with It56ny completely on these albergues/gites. Jean-Luc’s place in Guethary was really nice. It is small and clean and included laundry and nice showers. Food in France was way better. We had a great, reasonably priced, dinner at heteroclito.fr in Guethary. St. Jean de Luz also a pretty town with good amenities and restaurants. Buen Camino.
 
Without a doubt food is better in France
 
MinaKamina said:
San Sebastián is on the Basque coast and it is beautiful. So what exactly is your problem and why the hurry to get to Bayonne?
Click to expand...
San Sebastian is a boutique city, claimed to have the finest city beach in Europe. Frankly, to me it makes Paris, wonderful though it is, look like a dump. I’d go back there tomorrow if I could. Try to spend a day or two there.

De Colores

Bogong
 
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I would skip Paris, London and Rome for a trip to San Sebastián!
 
Can’t speak about Bayonne but last year, we stayed in Biarritz at the start for a few nights, then got an early morning Flixbus over to Hendaye and began our walk at sunrise across the border, on to Irun and up to San Sebastián. Beautiful memories
 
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