Stuck in Paris! Help a first time pilgrim get to SJPDP

[heyemily]

Hello all! Not what I expected for my first Camino, but you know what they say about best laid plans. Here’s the situation: I’ve been stuck in Paris for the past two days due to the national rail strikes (solidarité)! I just found out that the train I was hoping would get me from Paris to SJPDP tomorrow has cancelled the Bordeaux-Bayonne Bayonne-SJPDP legs, meaning I’d get from Paris to Bordeaux but no further. Hoping to draw on the collective wisdom of this forum to figure out how to get myself to SJPDP in the most expedient and least expensive way as I write this from a last minute hostel bed in Paris.

! NOTE: if you are a pilgrim who is similarly stuck, let’s coordinate!

Here are my options as I see them:

Option 1: Take my chances and take the train to Bordeaux, figure out a bus to SJPDP
-Potential issues: buses and tricker to navigate and less frequent than the trains, staying in France may mean more travel problems, my French is atrocious
-Does anyone have experience navigating the buses in France?

Option 2: Get out of dodge and fly to Barcelona, train to Pamplona, taxi to SJPDP
- A well-worn pilgrim path, but expensive now that I’ve gotten myself to Paris

Is there a third way? Obstacles or solutions I’m missing? Any advice would be gold as I try to get this Camino underway!

 

[Anamiri]

Can you fly to Biarritz, and shuttle from there? Others will chime in with the shuttle details.

 

[Former member 92300]

Yes - have you thought about flying to Biarritz or even Pamplona (assuming there are flights from Paris)? (Biarritz would be easiest). Have you checked out "Rome2Rio" to see if there are other train/bus options from Paris?

If you end up in Pamplona - there is usually a bus at least once a day to SJPDP. Don't know the cost of a taxi from Pamplona, but from Roncesvalles to SJPDP it was 50 Euros when the bus from Pamplona didn't go all the way to SJPDP (due to COVID).

I have not had problems with buses in France/Spain... other than knowing whether you buy the ticket from the kiosk or directly on the bus... and knowing which bus to look for. If you arrive in the station early you should have time to figure it out.

 

[mspath]

Can you get a train from Paris to Hendaye? From Hendaye ad lib.

For all possibilities use www.Omio.com

 

[Tincatinker]

Take the train to Bordeaux. Great city, worth a day/night at least. There will be buses, to Bayonne at least, and then to StJ. It is also highly likely that stock positioning and staff placement will be resolved and the trains will be back to what passes as normal by the time you get to Bordeaux. The restructuring takes at least 24 hours

 

[Bradypus]

Another option is Flixbus. Two departures tomorrow morning for Bayonne. Booking online.

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www.flixbus.co.uk

 

[heyemily]

Can you fly to Biarritz, and shuttle from there? Others will chime

Thanks to all for the excellent recommendations, looking into each of them now!

Can anyone tell me about the shuttle from Biarritz? Rome2Rio just says “autobus” with no option to book

 

[Robo]

Can you fly to Biarritz, and shuttle from there? Others will chime in with the shuttle details.

Same thing happened to Us. The French love their strikes.
We got a cheap flight to Biarritz.

 

[Robo]

Thanks to all for the excellent recommendations, looking into each of them now!

Can anyone tell me about the shuttle from Biarritz? Rome2Rio just says “autobus” with no option to book

Try booking a shuttle seat here:

Passengers tranport on the way of Saint James | Trip from Biarritz to St Jean pied de port

Transporting people around the Way of Saint James. Trips from Biarritz to St Jean Pied De Port to Roncesvalles, and the whole pilgrimage region

www.expressbourricot.com

 

[Tincatinker]

Accueil - Express Bourricot

www.expressbourricot.com

 

[Kathor1]

I'd follow @Tincatinker's advice and take the fast train to Bordeaux on Saturday as booked. When will you arrive in Bordeaux? There are some trains running from Bordeaux to Bayonne on Saturday March 11 and Sunday March 12. Not all of them are cancelled ('supprimé') or fully booked ('complet') on those two days.

I'd then either take one of these trains, if necessary with spending a night in Bordeaux (great place), or take a bus (but I did not yet check the bus connections and timetables suitable for you).

Note that Express Bourricot does not appear to be operational. Their website says: "We are closed until March 13". Bon voyage et buen Camino!

Source:
www.sncf-connect.com
https://www.expressbourricot.com/

 

[J Willhaus]

When you get to the airport in Biarritz, look around for others with backpacks and maybe you can all carpool together in a traditional cab if needed. Hopefully things will be better tomorrow or the next day. Sorry this has happened to you. Another pilgrim posted a similar message a few days ago about the strikes so just know you are not alone and that eventually it will be a part of your Camino story that you can tell the grandkids about.

 

[Kanga]

I think the options I'd suggest have been covered; train to Bayonne, or flight to Biarritz, or even Madrid if that were cheap (check out RyanAir type options) or Flixbus. I'd probably go with the first, and even consider walking from Bayonne. There is a known camino from there.

We were caught by a sudden rail strike in France too, with a flight home to Australia at risk. Intervention by the station master pushing my husband into the drivers cabin of the TGV to Paris saved the day. Not to drive the train, I hasten to add, but because he did not have a ticket.

 

[Kathor1]

For info: On Saturday and Sunday, 11 and 12 March, trains from Bayonne to SJPP:

Trains departing at 8:16, 11:24 and 18:19 are cancelled and there is no replacement bus!​

Train departing at 14:19 is scheduled.​

​

Source:
Schedule and available tickets: https://www.sncf-connect.com/billet-train
Departure and arrival times at Bayonne train station in real time - https://www.garesetconnexions.sncf/fr/gares-services/bayonne/horaires?board=train_time0&op=departure -

 

[Kathor1]

Also note for the weekend 11-12 March 2023:

There are no Alsa buses from Pamplona to SJJP. Alsa bus service will start on 16 March 2023.
On Saturdays and Sundays, there are no buses from Pamplona to Roncesvalles (or any further).

 

[heyemily]

For info: On Saturday and Sunday, 11 and 12 March, trains from Bayonne to SJPP:

Trains departing at 8:16, 11:24 and 18:19 are cancelled and there is no replacement bus!​

Train departing at 14:19 is scheduled.​

​

Source:
Schedule and available tickets: https://www.sncf-connect.com/billet-train
Departure and arrival times at Bayonne train station in real time - https://www.garesetconnexions.sncf/fr/gares-services/bayonne/horaires?board=train_time0&op=departure -

My savior!!!! Seeing the earlier Bayonne-St Jean train still in place made everything click and I was able to rebook earlier trains from Paris that had been sold out when I made the original booking (silver lining of nationwide travel disruptions?)

Now have Paris-Bordeaux, Bordeaux-Bayonne, Bayonne-St Jean lined up and ready to go for 10am tomorrow morning! All that’s left to do is grab an early morning baguette (or two) for the road.

Thank you ALL for helping me cut through the noise to make a plan. Nothing like knowing you have a village!

 

[gregrobinson]

Most of the flights are pricey but I'm showing one on Vueling on Sunday for $83, which I think is like 75 Euros. It's Charles de Gaulle airport to Bilbao at 3:55 p.m.

 

[Walkerooni]

2 days after I booked my flight to Paris in 2018, they announced a train strike which involved the day I landed, and the next day. At least I knew about it before I left, so I could plan my Plan B. This involved taking the bus from Paris CDG airport to Paris Orly and flying to Biarritz, then taking bus to Bayonne, where I stayed overnight before bussing to SJPdP. The hardest part of my 800k Camino was getting to the start line .

I am not familiar with the current strike, but the French are very practiced at it, and I think these are usually rotating strikes, so if you can check their website, you may find they actually post the rotating days and it may be simpler to stay put for a day or 2 and enjoy Paris, then proceed as planned.

Edit: I see now that you have it sorted. Buen Camino.

 

[Robo]

2 days after I booked my flight to Paris in 2018, they announced a train strike which involved the day I landed, and the next day. At least I knew about it before I left, so I could plan my Plan B. This involved taking the bus from Paris CDG airport to Paris Orly and flying to Biarritz, then taking bus to Bayonne, where I stayed overnight before bussing to SJPdP. The hardest part of my 800k Camino was getting to the start line .

I am not familiar with the current strike, but the French are very practiced at it, and I think these are usually rotating strikes, so if you can check their website, you may find they actually post the rotating days and it may be simpler to stay put for a day or 2 and enjoy Paris, then proceed as planned.

Edit: I see now that you have it sorted. Buen Camino.

We might have been on the same flight ? (23 April)
I seem to recall that strike went on for a while.......

 

[JulieandPeter]

Best of luck to you!! Sounds like the perfect start! In 2015 our flight was cancelled due a strike, and we ended up at the train station with the rest of Paris. We bought two first class tickets (the only thing available); we were fortunate to find seats between cars. It was a wonderful way to begin our first and favorite Camino (the one we didn't pre-book anything except the cancelled flight to Biarritz and our first two nights).

 

[Kathor1]

Departure and arrival times at Bayonne train station in real time - https://www.garesetconnexions.sncf/fr/gares-services/bayonne/horaires?board=train_time0&op=departure -

@heyemily, how did it go today? I had a look from time to time at the real-time arrivals and departures board for Bayonne station and it seems that the 10:08 am TGV from Paris left on time and arrived in Bayonne in time for you to catch the 14:19 train to SJPP?

 

[Rolotom]

Hello all! Not what I expected for my first Camino, but you know what they say about best laid plans. Here’s the situation: I’ve been stuck in Paris for the past two days due to the national rail strikes (solidarité)! I just found out that the train I was hoping would get me from Paris to SJPDP tomorrow has cancelled the Bordeaux-Bayonne Bayonne-SJPDP legs, meaning I’d get from Paris to Bordeaux but no further. Hoping to draw on the collective wisdom of this forum to figure out how to get myself to SJPDP in the most expedient and least expensive way as I write this from a last minute hostel bed in Paris.

! NOTE: if you are a pilgrim who is similarly stuck, let’s coordinate!

Here are my options as I see them:

Option 1: Take my chances and take the train to Bordeaux, figure out a bus to SJPDP
-Potential issues: buses and tricker to navigate and less frequent than the trains, staying in France may mean more travel problems, my French is atrocious
-Does anyone have experience navigating the buses in France?

Option 2: Get out of dodge and fly to Barcelona, train to Pamplona, taxi to SJPDP
- A well-worn pilgrim path, but expensive now that I’ve gotten myself to Paris

Is there a third way? Obstacles or solutions I’m missing? Any advice would be gold as I try to get this Camino underway!

Did you check the train from montrepasse? It goes to Bayonne not Bordeaux. Leaves at 7 am .....it sounds like some are running? You shouldn't be headed to Bordeaux anyway

 

[Wanderingfriend]

Hello all! Not what I expected for my first Camino, but you know what they say about best laid plans. Here’s the situation: I’ve been stuck in Paris for the past two days due to the national rail strikes (solidarité)! I just found out that the train I was hoping would get me from Paris to SJPDP tomorrow has cancelled the Bordeaux-Bayonne Bayonne-SJPDP legs, meaning I’d get from Paris to Bordeaux but no further. Hoping to draw on the collective wisdom of this forum to figure out how to get myself to SJPDP in the most expedient and least expensive way as I write this from a last minute hostel bed in Paris.

! NOTE: if you are a pilgrim who is similarly stuck, let’s coordinate!

Here are my options as I see them:

Option 1: Take my chances and take the train to Bordeaux, figure out a bus to SJPDP
-Potential issues: buses and tricker to navigate and less frequent than the trains, staying in France may mean more travel problems, my French is atrocious
-Does anyone have experience navigating the buses in France?

Option 2: Get out of dodge and fly to Barcelona, train to Pamplona, taxi to SJPDP
- A well-worn pilgrim path, but expensive now that I’ve gotten myself to Paris

Is there a third way? Obstacles or solutions I’m missing? Any advice would be gold as I try to get this Camino underway!

personally, I would fly to Bilbao Spain. It’s a beautiful seaside town in northern Spain frequented by visitors so good flights. A quick 2 hours bus ride to Pamplona. Then from there there are multiple options. This strike may not be easy to navigate. Get out of France and work your way to SJPP. Flights within Europe are fairly reasonable. If not Bilbao I’d fly to Madrid or Barcelona. I have done all three options and Bilbao is easiest and closest.

 

[William H B Mawhinney]

The French train strikes on 27th Sept 2022 resulted in my ticket to Bayonne being changed to Bordeaux arriving at 2200 and an ALSA bus from the back of Bordeaux Station at 0600 the next day to Bayonne, and the station closes at 2400, so standing around outside from 2400 to 0600, The AlSA bus trip was the Paris to Madrid bus! and travelled from Bordeaux to Bayonne, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Burgos, Madrid Aeropuerto, Madrid Center.

 

[Goyo]

Hello all! Not what I expected for my first Camino, but you know what they say about best laid plans. Here’s the situation: I’ve been stuck in Paris for the past two days due to the national rail strikes (solidarité)! I just found out that the train I was hoping would get me from Paris to SJPDP tomorrow has cancelled the Bordeaux-Bayonne Bayonne-SJPDP legs, meaning I’d get from Paris to Bordeaux but no further. Hoping to draw on the collective wisdom of this forum to figure out how to get myself to SJPDP in the most expedient and least expensive way as I write this from a last minute hostel bed in Paris.

! NOTE: if you are a pilgrim who is similarly stuck, let’s coordinate!

Here are my options as I see them:

Option 1: Take my chances and take the train to Bordeaux, figure out a bus to SJPDP
-Potential issues: buses and tricker to navigate and less frequent than the trains, staying in France may mean more travel problems, my French is atrocious
-Does anyone have experience navigating the buses in France?

Option 2: Get out of dodge and fly to Barcelona, train to Pamplona, taxi to SJPDP
- A well-worn pilgrim path, but expensive now that I’ve gotten myself to Paris

Is there a third way? Obstacles or solutions I’m missing? Any advice would be gold as I try to get this Camino underway!

“Several sectors in the French economy have been targeted by union calls for indefinite strikes, including in rail and air transport, power stations, natural gas terminals and rubbish collection.”

A quote from today’s France24 online front page… mucha suerte, heyemily, y buen camino, chica.

 

[heyemily]

@heyemily, how did it go today? I had a look from time to time at the real-time arrivals and departures board for Bayonne station and it seems that the 10:08 am TGV from Paris left on time and arrived in Bayonne in time for you to catch the 14:19 train to SJPP?

Reporting back to say today was an absolute breeze! Hit a boulangerie and fromagerie before catching the train out of Paris for the best train snacks of all time and it was smooth sailing from there. All together I got to SJPDP 4 hours faster and €30 cheaper than my original booking! Wandered through St Jean in the rain, and now cozied up in my albergue, stomach full of Basque dinner, ready to get walking in the morning. Thanks to all for your help getting me to the starting line

 

[Goyo]

Reporting back to say today was an absolute breeze! Hit a boulangerie and fromagerie before catching the train out of Paris for the best train snacks of all time and it was smooth sailing from there. All together I got to SJPDP 4 hours faster and €30 cheaper than my original booking! Wandered through St Jean in the rain, and now cozied up in my albergue, stomach full of Basque dinner, ready to get walking in the morning. Thanks to all for your help getting me to the starting line

View attachment 142880

Wow! Faster AND cheaper!?! And under crazy conditions. ¡Felicidades! Buen camino

 

[C clearly]

The OP has had her problem resolved, so the thread will be closed.