San Sebastián to Bayonne

[peregrina2000]

ON this earlier thread, https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/to-bayonne-from-madrid-or-paris.44259/ I got help figuring out whether to fly into Madrid or Paris to start my Camino de Baztan from Bayonne.

After lots of searching, I've decided that what best maximizes price/ease ratio is fly US-Madrid-San Sebastian, and then Santiago - Madrid -US. The return trip I have down pat, but I need some help on getting to Bayonne. I have not been able to figure out the best way to get from the airport in San Sebastián to Baynne. I will arrive in San Sebastián on a Monday (May 16 to be exact) at 1:05 pm if all goes well. I would like to get up to Bayonne that same day, directly from the airport if possible. Rome2rio is kind of confusing for my aging brain and I'm confused about Irun/Hendaya, etc. Hope that a travel guru or two (hear that Whari? ) will hear my plea for help. Muchas gracias everyone, Buen camino, Laurie

 

[mspath]

Laurie,

Also check out this earlier Forum thread.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/from-san-sebastian-to-st-jean-pied-de-port.39642/

Happy planning!

 

[naplesdon]

There is a new bus service. All I tell you is the number is 816, but it would be hard to give much advice since schedules change so often. They do stop at the bus gare next to the hotel in San Sebastian and make many stops along the way to Bayonne.

 

[crackmrmac]

Try pesa.net for San Sebastián/ Bayonne

Or perhaps ALSA to Biarritz airport and bus 816 to Bayonne.

Buen Camino

 

[spursfan]

ON this earlier thread, https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/to-bayonne-from-madrid-or-paris.44259/ I got help figuring out whether to fly into Madrid or Paris to start my Camino de Baztan from Bayonne.

After lots of searching, I've decided that what best maximizes price/ease ratio is fly US-Madrid-San Sebastian, and then Santiago - Madrid -US. The return trip I have down pat, but I need some help on getting to Bayonne. I have not been able to figure out the best way to get from the airport in San Sebastián to Baynne. I will arrive in San Sebastián on a Monday (May 16 to be exact) at 1:05 pm if all goes well. I would like to get up to Bayonne that same day, directly from the airport if possible. Rome2rio is kind of confusing for my aging brain and I'm confused about Irun/Hendaya, etc. Hope that a travel guru or two (hear that Whari? ) will hear my plea for help. Muchas gracias everyone, Buen camino, Laurie

Laurie

The most important thing to realize is that San Sebastian airport is nowhere near San Sebastian but is instead just outside Irun (and close to the Camino Norte) - it's a very small airport and some 10 minutes walk from the nearest local bus stop

Irun is separated from Hendaye in France by a bridge (some 30 mins to walk between the two) and, once in France, you can take easily the train or 816 bus to Bayonne (http://transports64.fr/IMG/pdf/lign...aye_et_bayonne_irun_hendaye_web_1.09.2016.pdf)

Probably best to get a taxi from the airport to Hendaye SNCF

 

[KinkyOne]

Hi, Laurie,

San Sebastian airport is actually located in Irun so to speak. From the terminal you can see Hendaye train station across the estuary. It's only a 4km walk to Hendaye train station:
https://www.google.si/maps/dir/Aero...d-1.7854671!2d43.3512866!3e2?hl=sl&authuser=0
This way you'll have a taste of Irun (can also hop on a train there if not fancy walk a bit more) and cross Puente de Santiago from Spain to France, which I did this year on Via de Bayona but in reverse direction
After crossing the bridge just continue on Avenue d'Espagne and after short ascent there's Gare on your left. From there you have plenty of afternoon trains to Bayonne (14:38, 15:42, 16:16, 17:13, 17:32,... that's for tomorrow though) which will take 40 minutes. And in Bayonne I guess you will know how to navigate

 

[BShea]

I did this exact trip last May. San Sebastian airport (EAS) is actually located in Irun. It is an easy 30 minute walk into town on sidewalk and with other walkers. It felt really good to be stretching my legs after such a long flight from Mexico to California to Dallas to Madrid arriving at EAS just after 13:00. I then walked though the city and across the bridge to the Hendaye train station, grabbed a bite to eat and caught the 14:52 bus with plenty of time to spare. The bus stop for the 816 bus to Bayonne (2€) is right in front of the station or you can take the train. The bus schedule worked out better for me - especially since it stops right in front of the Biarritz airport, which was where I was going. It'll take you to the Gare de Bayonne in about 1 ½ hours.

For the bus schedule:
http://www.transports64.fr/Interurbains?lang=fr
There is a section that says: VOS FICHES HORAIRES
Find "Choissisez Votre Ligne", then scroll through the options to Lignes 816, etc.

One other recommendation... between Biarritz and Bayonne is a city called Anglet where there is a mall called BAB 2. There is a FLUNCH cafeteria that has an all-you-can-eat vegetable bar included with your meal. The bar usually has potatoes (fries and mashed), rice, pasta, several types of vegetables, and sometimes couscous or lentils. Great place to fill up before starting. I just get the vegetable plate - I think it's less than 5€.

 

[Cayou]

Had same question last 23 August from San Sebastain airport. Ended up taking a cab at around 70e ... wife and I, then found a 3rd. It was 40'C, heat wave, so was glad to get going.

 

[whariwharangi]

As pointed out the San Sebastian airport EAS is less than 5km from Gare d'Hendaye. You can see it across the river from the airport. You might want to consider a map recce using google earth.

Take Ekialdebus E25, E27, E77, or E78 to Station Colon 43 in Irun (the East side of the tracks from the Renfe Station). Take Metro Donostealdea (aka Euskotren) from Colon to Hendaia. It runs every half hour. Hendaia is co-located with Gare d'Hendaye.

Or take taxi from Airport to Hendaye.

If you have time and a map try a nice walk ... there are paths along the riverbank.

SNCF trains go from Hendaye to Bayonne.

There is also Transports64 bus 816 ... it goes hourly from Gare d'Hendaye but terminates at Place de Basques ... a km and across the bridge from Gare Bayonne. (note some buses start at Irun Renfe station and terminate at Gare Bayonne)

SNCF train 62 goes from Bayonne to SJPdP.

 

[peregrina2000]

So much helpful information here, thanks to all. I like the idea of walking the short kms to Hendaye and hopping on a train or the 816 bus there. I'll report back, but it won't be till May, June or July! Gracias a todos, Buen camino, Laurie

 

[mspath]

Laurie,

If needed in Hendaye a simple, pleasant hotel close to the railroad station is the Hotel de la Gare.
http://www.hoteldelagare-palombebleue.com/

There also is a local pilgrim albergue nearby.
http://www.irunhondarribiahendaye.c...5&alojamiento=peregrinosHendaya&cat=8&lang=fr

Since you may be walking to the Hendaye gare do stop at the small bar/resto Chez Alain just after you enter France via the pedestrian bridge over the Bidasoa river. The resto is at 11 ave d'Espagne. They are most friendly and do a very good daily menu for 13.50 euros. If you wish you can even take a shower for free! The place is a routiers or truck stop but in no way hyper macho. I loved it autumn 2015. See more here http://restoroutier.free.fr/fiche_64_hendaye.htm

 

[peregrina2000]

Laurie,

If needed in Hendaye a simple, pleasant hotel close to the railroad station is the Hotel de la Gare.
http://www.hoteldelagare-palombebleue.com/

There also is a local pilgrim albergue nearby.
http://www.irunhondarribiahendaye.c...5&alojamiento=peregrinosHendaya&cat=8&lang=fr

Since you may be walking to the Hendaye gare do stop at the small bar/resto Chez Alain just after you enter France via the pedestrian bridge over the Bidasoa river. The resto is at 11 ave d'Espagne. They are most friendly and do a very good daily menu for 13.50 euros. If you wish you can even take a shower for free! The place is a routiers or truck stop but in no way hyper macho. I loved it autumn 2015. See more here http://restoroutier.free.fr/fiche_64_hendaye.htm

So, mspath (and others who know France well),

If you landed at the San Sebastian airport at 1:50 pm on a Tuesday, and had the rest of Tuesday and all of Wednesday before meeting up with your walking buddies in Bayonne on Wednesday evening, how would you allocate your time? Spend time in Hendaye? Get to Bayonne as quickly as possible and spend a full day there? Thanks!

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[mspath]

Laurie,
By the time you arrive in Hendaye you might be pooped from traveling. If so relax and spend the night either in the albergue or Hotel de la Gare which I mentioned above. On Wednesday take any TER local train to Bayonne perhaps stopping at Biarritz on route to see that elegant and handsome seaside town. Here is more re Biarritz http://tourisme.biarritz.fr/en/home

And more re Bayonne
http://www.bayonne-tourisme.com/en/index.php

What happy possibilties you have to consider!

 

[BShea]

I think I would be tempted to stay at the donativo Hospital de Pelegrino de Irun (Calle Lucas de Burro tel: 640 361 640). The downside is that they don't open until 16:00.

Or the gite in Hendaye (Association Temps Libre 05 59 20 07 07).

Or, if you're feeling a little more energetic, there are places in Ciboure:
Chez RAZO 41, rue Evariste Baignol. After 18:30 - call first at 06 12 17 03 80
Mme PORTRAIT 4 rue de l’escalier (on the route, behind the Petit Casino market)
Call first 06 21 03 30 90 / 25€ including breakfast

The next day, you could walk along the coast towards Biarritz. It pretty much follows the bus route, so you could hop on a bus at various stops along the way. The route is not well marked, but you can't get lost by just following the coast.

I walked from Anglet to St Jean de Luz one day - I think it was around 30 km. Here are a couple of maps I found on-line. They're the English versions of the map that the tourist office in Bidart hands out.
http://randonnee.tourisme64.com/uploads/rando/Bidart-st_je_A.pdf
http://randonnee.tourisme64.com/uploads/rando/ST_JEAN_LUZ_HENDAYE_A.pdf

Another option is there's a walking path along the beach once you pass the lighthouse in Biarritz that goes all the way to the Bayonne estuary.
http://www.anglet-tourisme.com/en/do-see/promenade/walks-and-jogging/the-beach-walk.php

If you're not interested in walking before walking , there's the mall BAB2 that I wrote about before. Next to the mall is a Decathlon. It's one of my favorite hangouts - I can easily spent hours there.

 

[jsalt]

If you landed at the San Sebastian airport at 1:50 pm on a Tuesday, and had the rest of Tuesday and all of Wednesday before meeting up with your walking buddies in Bayonne on Wednesday evening, how would you allocate your time?

Hi Laurie, another option: Take the ferry from Hondarribia (a short walk from the airport, 1 or 2 kms) across to Hendaye on Tue afternoon. Walk the coastal route to St Jean de Luz on Wed, and then take a bus or train to Bayonne. Jill

 

[BShea]

@jsalt Heck yeah, the ferry sounds fun!!! And cheap (1€80). Plus it'll put you almost right on the path to Ciboure... I'll have to put that on my to do list.

 

[jsalt]

@jsalt Heck yeah, the ferry sounds fun!!! And cheap (1€80). Plus it'll put you almost right on the path to Ciboure... I'll have to put that on my to do list.

Hi, yes, it’s fun! And frequent - every half hour. I stayed at the budget Ibis Hotel in Ciboure. Jill

 

[KinkyOne]

Agree, it's a nice walk from Irun/Hendaye to Ciboure (approx.17kms) although I had some rain, strong winds and some fog on that day (in reverse direction though). When raining the soil on that part can be quite cloggy.

Another accommodation in Ciboure (21€ for a bunk bed but I was alone and it was OK, two dorms as I know):
Centre Leo Lagrange
8 Rue Simone Menez
+33/559-470-479 (M.Henri Alvarez - lives in the house next to albergue)
https://www.google.si/maps/place/8+...8m2!3d43.386397!4d-1.6720549?hl=sl&authuser=0

Ciboure is just across the river from Saint-Jean-de-Luz and has almost half an hour connection with Bayonne.

St.Jean-de-Luz is very lively especially in the afternoon and evening:


St.Jean-de-Luz from Ciboure:

Ciboure albergue:

On the way to Irun (white buildings on the right):

 

[peregrina2000]

Agree, it's a nice walk from Irun/Hendaye to Ciboure (approx.17kms) although I had some rain, strong winds and some fog on that day (in reverse direction though). When raining the soil on that part can be quite cloggy.

Another accommodation in Ciboure (21€ for a bunk bed but I was alone and it was OK, two dorms as I know):
Centre Leo Lagrange
8 Rue Simone Menez
+33/559-470-479 (M.Henri Alvarez - lives in the house next to albergue)
https://www.google.si/maps/place/8+Rue+Simone+Ménez,+64500+Ciboure,+Francija/@43.3864009,-1.6742489,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0xd5111fc914720a1:0x4373390ba6c22449!8m2!3d43.386397!4d-1.6720549?hl=sl&authuser=0

Ciboure is just across the river from Saint-Jean-de-Luz and has almost half an hour connection with Bayonne.

St.Jean-de-Luz is very lively especially in the afternoon and evening:
View attachment 30662

St.Jean-de-Luz from Ciboure:
View attachment 30663
Ciboure albergue:
View attachment 30664
On the way to Irun (white buildings on the right):
View attachment 30665

Not sure how this snuck in without my seeing it. Thanks much, K1! I'm going to come up with a couple of options for those travel days, but I hope to do some walking -- and the Ciboure option sounds like a good one.

 

[peregrina2000]

So many thanks to everyone. I think Jill's suggestion is the one that will best fit with my likely jet lag. That is -- walk from airport to Hondarribia, ferry to Hendaye. Next day, walk from Hendaye to St. Jean de Luz (wikiloc says it's 14 km) and take bus/train from St. Jean de Luz to Bayonne, which will still leave me a good chunk of the day to enjoy Bayonne before starting to walk the next day.

And thanks @mspath for the recommendation for the Hotel and restaurant in Hendaye, I will check them out.

Those of you who have done some walking in that area (between Irun and Bayonne) -- do you think that the 14 km coastal stretch from Hendaye to St. Jean is the best choice? I can probably handle a 25 km day of walking and still have time to get to Bayonne and see Bayonne. And I am flexible about how far to go upon arrival at the San Sebastian airport, because it will be early in the day (1 pm) and I can walk/bus/taxi/train or some combination thereof. Many thanks, Laurie

p.s. I had thought I'd spend the night in the oh so cutesy Hondarribia, but I see that the ferry doesn't start crossing till 10 am, so I guess it's Hendaye for my first night!

 

[KinkyOne]

. That is -- walk from airport to Hondarribia, ferry to Hendaye. Next day, walk from Hendaye to St. Jean de Luz (wikiloc says it's 14 km) and take bus/train from St. Jean de Luz to Bayonne,

Ahm, I'm totally lost here. Why would you walk from Biarritz/airport to St.Jean de Luz if you're heading on Baztan??? I mean it's completely other direction...

But OK, if you decide to walk to St.Jean de Luz, Ciboure is just across the estuary. 300 meters perhaps??? It's an afternoon walk... And a ferry to Hendaye? From where??? I guess I'm in a completely different movie here

 

[NualaOC]

Here are a couple of maps I found on-line. They're the English versions of the map that the tourist office in Bidart hands out.
http://randonnee.tourisme64.com/uploads/rando/Bidart-st_je_A.pdf
http://randonnee.tourisme64.com/uploads/rando/ST_JEAN_LUZ_HENDAYE_A.pdf
Another option is there's a walking path along the beach once you pass the lighthouse in Biarritz that goes all the way to the Bayonne estuary.
http://www.anglet-tourisme.com/en/do-see/promenade/walks-and-jogging/the-beach-walk.php

Hi Laurie, another option: Take the ferry from Hondarribia (a short walk from the airport, 1 or 2 kms) across to Hendaye on Tue afternoon. Walk the coastal route to St Jean de Luz on Wed, and then take a bus or train to Bayonne. Jill

Thanks @BShea and @jsalt for sharing this information. I've been playing with ideas on how to walk part of the way from Biarritz Airport to Irun. This has helped me to firm up my plan - bus to St Jean de Luz, walk to Hendaye and ferry to Hondarribia. The fastest plane-to-trail transfer ever! I know that walking from Hendaye to Irun is probably a simpler option, but I really like the idea of a ferry ride.

 

[Thornley]

Hi Laurie, another option: Take the ferry from Hondarribia (a short walk from the airport, 1 or 2 kms) across to Hendaye on Tue afternoon. Walk the coastal route to St Jean de Luz on Wed, and then take a bus or train to Bayonne. Jill

Nearly right Js
Taxi, Ferry [ feed the owners dog] and then get to Bayonne asap by train or bus.
We were there last year for 4 days and got to appreciate this vibrant town.

 

[peregrina2000]

Ahm, I'm totally lost here. Why would you walk from Biarritz/airport to St.Jean de Luz if you're heading on Baztan??? I mean it's completely other direction...

But OK, if you decide to walk to St.Jean de Luz, Ciboure is just across the estuary. 300 meters perhaps??? It's an afternoon walk... And a ferry to Hendaye? From where??? I guess I'm in a completely different movie here

You've got the wrong airport -- I'm flying into San Sebastian.