Starting Easter Weekend in SJDPD and wondering about transportation

lovemyspace · Sunday at 3:10 PM

It was not my intention to start Easter Weekend but that is what my life worked out to happen so now I am wondering... Will the buses and trains be operating on 19 Saturday, 20 Easter Sunday, and 21 Easter Monday. I fly into Madrid with morning arrival on 19 Saturday and hoping I can get to Bayonne or Pamplona that day and overnight. Then head on Easter Sunday to SJDPD. I already have sleeping reservations for all nights involved so that is not an issue (from SJDPD for the entire first week). I would appreciate the wisdom of the community on what it will be like to travel using the trains and buses these days. Also wondering as an alternative if I could or should just get to SJDPD on the Saturday I arrive so I wake up in SJDPD and can just enjoy Easter Sunday there. Thanks!

J Willhaus · Sunday at 4:06 PM

Easter week is a busy travel time. You may want to wait until the Monday after Easter to try to travel. Unfortunately tickets will not be available for bus or train this far in advance. You could fly to Pamplona from Madrid. Tickets seem reasonable and are available right now. You may need to take a taxi to St Jean. I don't think the bus will be running yet

Stephan the Painter · Sunday at 5:28 PM

lovemyspace said:
It was not my intention to start Easter Weekend but that is what my life worked out to happen so now I am wondering... Will the buses and trains be operating on 19 Saturday, 20 Easter Sunday, and 21 Easter Monday. I fly into Madrid with morning arrival on 19 Saturday and hoping I can…

There is a way to take a bus directly from Madrid to Bayonne avoiding Pamplona. Either on Blabla bus or Alsa. I outlined how to do it in the link to the thread below.

You can’t book it this far in advance yet, but it shows at least a dozen buses leaving on Saturdays. Takes about eight hours. Even leaving late and going overnight and arriving in the morning.

Then you take the train to SJPP from Bayonne. I didn’t take this bus all away from Madrid but I took a train to San Sebastian, and caught the same bus when it stopped there.

Whatever you do make sure transportation and beds are booked for your first three days because of Easter. Just check the train and bus bookings regularly, until you are able to book. I would do it daily until they allow you to book. They’ll go fast.

As @J Willhaus suggested flights to Pamplona or San Sebastian are under $50 right now when I checked the Google flight website. I try to avoid flying unnecessarily but that might be the least stressful answer.
Buen Camino!

Thread 'An Alternate Route from Madrid to SJPP through Bayonne'

Jan 19, 2024

An all-year alternate route to SJPP instead of going through Pamplona.

If you're starting your trip in Madrid, there seem to be multiple buses every day from Madrid to Bayonne, France. A direct Bla Bla bus (6 hrs.), but sometimes ALSA is listed ( 9 hrs., with a connection). Various starting points, including the airport and train stations.
Then four 1 hour trains a day from Bayonne to SJPP.

Here is a link to my search on the Bla Bla Bus website.

You could conceivably do this in one day if you left on the earliest bus from Madrid. But even if you ended up spending the night in...

naplesdon · Sunday at 6:00 PM

Easter Monday is also a holiday in France.

lovemyspace · Sunday at 10:13 PM

J Willhaus said:
Easter week is a busy travel time. You may want to wait until the Monday after Easter to try to travel. Unfortunately tickets will not be available for bus or train this far in advance. You could fly to Pamplona from Madrid. Tickets seem reasonable and are available right now. You may need to take a taxi to St Jean. I don't think the bus will be running yet

Huge thanks - I made a bad assumption that flying to Pamplona would cost a bunch more but right now it is super reasonable at 55Euros which is so much easier than bus/train at this point. So thank you for your very timely advice.

lovemyspace · Sunday at 10:15 PM

Stephan the Painter said:
There is a way to take a bus directly from Madrid to Bayonne avoiding Pamplona. Either on Blabla bus or Alsa. I outlined how to do it in the link to the thread below.

You can’t book it this far in advance yet, but it shows at least a dozen buses leaving on Saturdays. Takes about eight hours. Even leaving late and going overnight and arriving in the morning.

Then you take the train to SJPP from Bayonne. I didn’t take this bus all away from Madrid but I took a train to San Sebastian, and caught the same bus when it stopped there.

Whatever you do make sure transportation and beds are booked for your first three days because of Easter. Just check the train and bus bookings regularly, until you are able to book. I would do it daily until they allow you to book. They’ll go fast.

As @J Willhaus suggested flights to Pamplona or San Sebastian are under $50 right now when I checked the Google flight website. I try to avoid flying unnecessarily but that might be the least stressful answer.
Buen Camino!

Thread 'An Alternate Route from Madrid to SJPP through Bayonne'

Jan 19, 2024

An all-year alternate route to SJPP instead of going through Pamplona.

If you're starting your trip in Madrid, there seem to be multiple buses every day from Madrid to Bayonne, France. A direct Bla Bla bus (6 hrs.), but sometimes ALSA is listed ( 9 hrs., with a connection). Various starting points, including the airport and train stations.
Then four 1 hour trains a day from Bayonne to SJPP.

Here is a link to my search on the Bla Bla Bus website.

You could conceivably do this in one day if you left on the earliest bus from Madrid. But even if you ended up spending the night in...

Stephan the Painter

travel to bayonne/biarritz/sjpp

Replies: 2

Camino de Santiago Forum: 🧳 Traveling & Transport to/from/along the camino

I so appreciate the wisdom and knowledge shared in general - and by you. I had no idea the flight would be that cheap and although I am going for the 'full experience' of the Camino - to know that I can get there easily by plane on a day that is a super busy holiday time is pushing me in that direction. So booking the flight now.

J Willhaus · Sunday at 10:34 PM

If you booked direct on Iberia the prices are even cheaper than 55 euros for the 19th.

Stephan the Painter · Sunday at 10:40 PM

lovemyspace said:
I so appreciate the wisdom and knowledge shared in general - and by you. I had no idea the flight would be that cheap and although I am going for the 'full experience' of the Camino - to know that I can get there easily by plane on a day that is a super busy holiday time is pushing me in that direction. So booking the flight now.

Just FYI, I’m not sure when the Pamplona/SJPP bus starts running. It’s not a year-round bus. And in the past, there’s only one a day that leaves at about 1pm. So you may have to take a cab at about €100.

I think public transportation to SJPP is much easier if you fly into San Sebastian, but since they don’t let you book anything in either Pamplona or San Sebastian yet, one can’t be sure.

naplesdon · Sunday at 11:03 PM

Personally, I would start the Camino in Pamplona. Navigating the trip to SJPdP and walking over the Pyrenes that weekend is just not worth the hassle. IMO.

Marbe2 · Monday at 7:10 AM

Stephan the Painter said:
Just FYI, I’m not sure when the Pamplona/SJPP bus starts running. It’s not a year-round bus. And in the past, there’s only one a day that leaves at about 1pm. So you may have to take a cab at about €100.

I think public transportation to SJPP is much easier if you fly into San Sebastian, but since they don’t let you book anything in either Pamplona or San Sebastian yet, one can’t be sure.

I think a cab will cost you more than100 euros…especially on a holiday weekend? Do
check this out. You may want to try and find someone who wants to go to SJPdP and ride share?

Camino de Santiago

Camino de Santiago Taxi Peregrino Realizamos servicios desde Pamplona a Saint Jean Pied de Port, Roncesvalles o cualquier otra población del Camino Francés. Disponemos de vehículos para su traslado con bicicleta. Taxi Peregrino es un servicio especial que ofrecemos a los peregrinos que llegan a...

taxipamplona.com

trecile · Monday at 7:37 AM

Marbe2 said:
I think a cab will cost you more than100 euros…especially on a holiday weekend? Do
check this out. You may want to try and find someone who wants to go to SJPdP and ride share?

Camino de Santiago

Camino de Santiago Taxi Peregrino Realizamos servicios desde Pamplona a Saint Jean Pied de Port, Roncesvalles o cualquier otra población del Camino Francés. Disponemos de vehículos para su traslado con bicicleta. Taxi Peregrino es un servicio especial que ofrecemos a los peregrinos que llegan a...

taxipamplona.com

There's a rate chart on the site you linked to, and it's definitely over 100€

Marbe2 · Monday at 7:46 AM

trecile said:
There's a rate chart on the site you linked to, and it's definitely over 100€

View attachment 181963

Yes! Of course! It was meant to give the OP a likely…more accurate sense of the cost..but there could be some other company that might do it cheaper? So, no definitive answer.

lovemyspace · Monday at 4:25 PM

naplesdon said:
Personally, I would start the Camino in Pamplona. Navigating the trip to SJPdP and walking over the Pyrenes that weekend is just not worth the hassle. IMO.

That is the section I am most looking forward to - I love the mountains. But I can understand your point if that is not your thing.

lovemyspace · Monday at 4:26 PM

Stephan the Painter said:
Just FYI, I’m not sure when the Pamplona/SJPP bus starts running. It’s not a year-round bus. And in the past, there’s only one a day that leaves at about 1pm. So you may have to take a cab at about €100.

I think public transportation to SJPP is much easier if you fly into San Sebastian, but since they don’t let you book anything in either Pamplona or San Sebastian yet, one can’t be sure.

I can handle the taxi if I need to - and I already booked the flight so Pamplona it is. I will just wait and see if the bus starts by April 19th but the website does say it starts in April so it might work out just fine - as I keep reading about - I am sure the Camino will provide and I feel much better about getting from Pamplona to SJPP even on the holiday weekend.

J Willhaus · Monday at 4:29 PM

lovemyspace said:
That is the section I am most looking forward to - I love the mountains. But I can understand your point if that is not your thing.

Unfortunately that time of year is pretty iffy with weather. I hope your dreams come true, but listen to the locals when it comes to the forecast.

Marbe2 · Monday at 4:30 PM

lovemyspace said:
I can handle the taxi if I need to - and I already booked the flight so Pamplona it is. I will just wait and see if the bus starts by April 19th but the website does say it starts in April so it might work out just fine - as I keep reading about - I am sure the Camino will provide and I feel much better about getting from Pamplona to SJPP even on the holiday weekend.

Buen Camino!

Juspassinthru · Monday at 4:33 PM

naplesdon said:
Easter Monday is also a holiday in France.

I experienced this first hand this year. We started on April 1(Easter Monday) in Oloron and nothing was open until we arrived in Sarrance where the only open bar closed early. Trying to travel on Easter Sunday will be a challenge. I agree with @naplesdon, a start from Pamplona would give you both alternatives and some breathing space. Good luck however it works out.

J Willhaus · Monday at 4:38 PM

The airport is south of Pamplona and the bus station is in the middle of town. There used to be a city bus that ran from the airport, but I think in recent years that has been discontinued so you may need to walk or take cab. The bus station is kind of a strange glass building above ground, but all the ticket counters and most of the buses leave from below ground down the escalators. Best wishes on your journey.

Edit: In the past the bus left in early afternoon, so you may want to plan a night in Pamplona on your way.

lovemyspace · Monday at 4:41 PM

J Willhaus said:
The airport is south of Pamplona and the bus station is in the middle of town. There used to be a city bus that ran from the airport, but I think in recent years that has been discontinued so you may need to walk or take cab. The bus station is kind of a strange glass building above ground, but all the ticket counters and most of the buses leave from below ground down the escalators. Best wishes on your journey.

Edit: In the past the bus left in early afternoon, so you may want to plan a night in Pamplona on your way.

you and this group are simply awesome - thank you for this !

Marbe2 · Monday at 4:55 PM

I get your wanting to start in SJPdP and that you already have reservations ( great)! Given the holiday weekend you are arriving, if it were me, and I wanted to get to SJPdP speedily, and was willing and able to pay for the convenience, I would arrange a car service/taxi well in advance and have the car service pick you up at the PNA airport and drive you directly to SJPdP.
In 2022 I used this service.
Ivan Ojugas
Mobile:+34 606833522

transporte.peregrinos@gmail.com

I don’t know if this company is still operational, but the service was excellent. It cost us 115 euros, then. But it was well worth it. We were in SJPdP within1.5 hrs of arriving in Pamplona.

lovemyspace · Monday at 5:11 PM

Marbe2 said:
I get your wanting to start in SJPdP and that you already have reservations ( great)! Given the holiday weekend you are arriving, if it were me, and I wanted to get to SJPdP speedily, and was willing and able to pay for the convenience, I would arrange a car service/taxi well in advance and have the car service pick you up at the PNA airport and drive you directly to SJPdP.
In 2022 I used this service.
Ivan Ojugas
Mobile:+34 606833522
transporte.peregrinos@gmail.com

I don’t know if this company is still operational, but the service was excellent. It cost us 115 euros, then. But it was well worth it. We were in SJPdP within1.5 hrs of arriving in Pamplona.

Definitely this - perfect and that is what I am thinking as well. I already have the accommodation reservation and it will be an awesome start to the journey to start on the holiday - just need to make sure I get there. Creating some Camino magic and will look for other pilgrims to share the car service with. Will reach out to Ivan - thanks for his info to make this easier.

Rick of Rick and Peg · Monday at 7:17 PM

ALSA has a webpage for Easter Week deals but it doesn't seem to be working correctly, probably because it is for 2024. You may want to periodically check that page to see if they have updated it.

alsa.com/en/web/bus/offers-and-passes/holy-week

Easter travel deals: Travel for less! - Alsa

Do you want to enjoy an unforgettable holiday at Easter? Discover our offers on passes and bus tickets. Book now and save money!

www.alsa.com

BTW, if you see anything about the CONDA bus it is the same as the ALSA one; C is a subsidiary of A. And, on the ALSA site for the destination you have to spell Saint in full or SJPdP won't be found.

naplesdon · Monday at 8:26 PM

lovemyspace said:
That is the section I am most looking forward to - I love the mountains. But I can understand your point if that is not your thing.

I love the walk over the Pyrenees, my comment was regarding trying to do it over Easter weekend with the possibility of places being closed and knowing the vagaries of early Aptil weather.

lovemyspace · Tuesday at 1:37 AM

Rick of Rick and Peg said:
ALSA has a webpage for Easter Week deals but it doesn't seem to be working correctly, probably because it is for 2024. You may want to periodically check that page to see if they have updated it.

alsa.com/en/web/bus/offers-and-passes/holy-week

Easter travel deals: Travel for less! - Alsa

Do you want to enjoy an unforgettable holiday at Easter? Discover our offers on passes and bus tickets. Book now and save money!

www.alsa.com

BTW, if you see anything about the CONDA bus it is the same as the ALSA one; C is a subsidiary of A. And, on the ALSA site for the destination you have to spell Saint in full or SJPdP won't be found.

Aha. Good pro tips.

trecile · Tuesday at 2:34 AM

Rick of Rick and Peg said:
And, on the ALSA site for the destination you have to spell Saint in full or SJPdP won't be found.

Similarly, if you want to travel to/from Finisterre/Fisterra you need to use the Galician spelling of Fisterra to find the route on the Monbus site.

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Starting Easter Weekend in SJDPD and wondering about transportation

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