Transport to and from Conques

[NualaOC]

Damian and I travelled to Conques last week to meet up with a friend from our 2013 Camino. I ended up doing a lot of research about transportation, as we were unsure until the last minute where we would actually meet.

Our journey to Conques was a pretty long one as we flew to Lyon. In hindsight, Rodez or Toulouse would probably have been better. However, this wasn't a big deal as we were spending 5 days in France as tourists and weren't in a hurry.

Here's what I learned about the transport options:

1. There were fewer public transport choices than I expected - but the the local taxis and bag transport companies offer a good service. It can be difficult to find information about this online. This list (from the tourist office in Conques) might be helpful to others:


2. The Compostel Bus has an efficient minibus service between Le Puy and Conques (both ways). You can book online or by phone. It's probably a good idea to book in advance, but it also seems possible to wait at one of the stops or flag down the bus along the route. Quite a few people did this on the day that we travelled. It follows the walking route, so people used it to skip or shorten a stage.

3. Rodez is the closest airport to Conques. It's a really small (and stress-free) airport, with direct flights to Dublin, Brussels, Paris, Milan and Southampton. There are no bus connections to and from the airport. A taxi from Rodez city cost us €18.

4. Transports Lample operates a daily minibus service between Conques and Rodez train station, departing at 8am and costing €18 per person. When we arrived at Rodez, there were pilgrims waiting at the station to make the return journey with the driver. This was a very friendly and efficient service. Booking is essential.

I noticed on another thread that some pilgrims used the school bus service between Conques and Rodez. As we travelled in July, this wasn't an option for us.

5. Rodez is also the closest train station to Conques. It's a 2-hour journey from Rodez to Toulouse. You can check other destinations here.

6. There are other train connections from Figeac and Rocamadour. The list in point 1 above shows some taxi options to and from both places.

Hope this is helpful to others planning their travel arrangements! I'm already looking forward to planning a return journey as a pilgrim - this is a beautiful route. Here are a few of my favourite Conques photos:



Nuala

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Thank you for taking the time to share the detailed report of your experience and observations. I will be flying to Paris and not sure of all the options to get to LePuy, so some of your information may be helpful. I've had some other good advise from forum members who have walked this route, too. Lots to sort out, but thankfully I don't go until next June so plenty of time to figure it out.

 

[Den from Down Under]

Damian and I travelled to Conques last week to meet up with a friend from our 2013 Camino. I ended up doing a lot of research about transportation, as we were unsure until the last minute where we would actually meet.

Our journey to Conques was a pretty long one as we flew to Lyon. In hindsight, Rodez or Toulouse would probably have been better. However, this wasn't a big deal as we were spending 5 days in France as tourists and weren't in a hurry.

Here's what I learned about the transport options:

1. There were fewer public transport choices than I expected - but the the local taxis and bag transport companies offer a good service. It can be difficult to find information about this online. This list (from the tourist office in Conques) might be helpful to others:
View attachment 35125

2. The Compostel Bus has an efficient minibus service between Le Puy and Conques (both ways). You can book online or by phone. It's probably a good idea to book in advance, but it also seems possible to wait at one of the stops or flag down the bus along the route. Quite a few people did this on the day that we travelled. It follows the walking route, so people used it to skip or shorten a stage.

3. Rodezis the closest airport to Conques. It's a really small (and stress-free) airport, with direct flights to Dublin, Brussels, Paris, Milan and Southampton. There are no bus connections to and from the airport. A taxi from Rodez city cost us €18.

4. Transports Lample operates a daily minibus service between Conques and Rodez train station, departing at 8am and costing €18 per person. When we arrived at Rodez, there were pilgrims waiting at the station to make the return journey with the driver. This was a very friendly and efficient service. Booking is essential.

I noticed on another thread that some pilgrims used the school bus service between Conques and Rodez. As we travelled in July, this wasn't an option for us.

5. Rodez is also the closest train station to Conques. It's a 2-hour journey from Rodez to Toulouse. You can check other destinations here.

6. There are other train connections from Figeac and Rocamadour. The list in point 1 above shows some taxi options to and from both places.

Hope this is helpful to others planning their travel arrangements! I'm already looking forward to planning a return journey as a pilgrim - this is a beautiful route. Here are a few of my favourite Conques photos:

View attachment 35126View attachment 35127View attachment 35128View attachment 35129

Nuala

Thank you for the web link. Probably the best way is to Rodez by plane, then cab it. Appreciate the input.

 

[Den from Down Under]

Thank you for taking the time to share the detailed report of your experience and observations. I will be flying to Paris and not sure of all the options to get to LePuy, so some of your information may be helpful. I've had some other good advise from forum members who have walked this route, too. Lots to sort out, but thankfully I don't go until next June so plenty of time to figure it out.

I landed at CdG from Sydney @0700, time for coffee at Train station (no need to change to another station, just a walk), then fast train to Le Puy in reasonable comfort in August. Arrived with a short walk to hotel before starting walk to Conques. Easy way to get the Camino. Thoroughly enjoyed my first small section and will head back this year for more. Enjoy

 

[Den from Down Under]

Damian and I travelled to Conques last week to meet up with a friend from our 2013 Camino. I ended up doing a lot of research about transportation, as we were unsure until the last minute where we would actually meet.

Our journey to Conques was a pretty long one as we flew to Lyon. In hindsight, Rodez or Toulouse would probably have been better. However, this wasn't a big deal as we were spending 5 days in France as tourists and weren't in a hurry.

Here's what I learned about the transport options:

1. There were fewer public transport choices than I expected - but the the local taxis and bag transport companies offer a good service. It can be difficult to find information about this online. This list (from the tourist office in Conques) might be helpful to others:
View attachment 35125

2. The Compostel Bus has an efficient minibus service between Le Puy and Conques (both ways). You can book online or by phone. It's probably a good idea to book in advance, but it also seems possible to wait at one of the stops or flag down the bus along the route. Quite a few people did this on the day that we travelled. It follows the walking route, so people used it to skip or shorten a stage.

3. Rodezis the closest airport to Conques. It's a really small (and stress-free) airport, with direct flights to Dublin, Brussels, Paris, Milan and Southampton. There are no bus connections to and from the airport. A taxi from Rodez city cost us €18.

4. Transports Lample operates a daily minibus service between Conques and Rodez train station, departing at 8am and costing €18 per person. When we arrived at Rodez, there were pilgrims waiting at the station to make the return journey with the driver. This was a very friendly and efficient service. Booking is essential.

I noticed on another thread that some pilgrims used the school bus service between Conques and Rodez. As we travelled in July, this wasn't an option for us.

5. Rodez is also the closest train station to Conques. It's a 2-hour journey from Rodez to Toulouse. You can check other destinations here.

6. There are other train connections from Figeac and Rocamadour. The list in point 1 above shows some taxi options to and from both places.

Hope this is helpful to others planning their travel arrangements! I'm already looking forward to planning a return journey as a pilgrim - this is a beautiful route. Here are a few of my favourite Conques photos:

View attachment 35126View attachment 35127View attachment 35128View attachment 35129

Nuala

Thanks for input, will probably plane to Rodez, then cab to Conques.

 

[Glassie1]

I landed at CdG from Sydney @0700, time for coffee at Train station (no need to change to another station, just a walk), then fast train to Le Puy in reasonable comfort in August. Arrived with a short walk to hotel before starting walk to Conques. Easy way to get the Camino. Thoroughly enjoyed my first small section and will head back this year for more. Enjoy

We are also flying from Australia in August 2020, getting in at 7am to CDG. This information is very useful to us. Did you book the train prior to your arrival? and I believe the fast train is about 4.5 hrs. At what time did the train leave Paris? We are walking to Conques and returning to Paris to fly back home, short trip this time. It might be easier to fly from Rodez to Paris on the return. This is my 3rd Camino but first in France. What accommodation did you stay in? I did Albergues last year and there were bed bugs around even early in the season. Kim

 

[SYates]

We are also flying from Australia in August 2020, getting in at 7am to CDG. This information is very useful to us. Did you book the train prior to your arrival? and I believe the fast train is about 4.5 hrs. At what time did the train leave Paris? We are walking to Conques and returning to Paris to fly back home, short trip this time. It might be easier to fly from Rodez to Paris on the return. This is my 3rd Camino but first in France. What accommodation did you stay in? I did Albergues last year and there were bed bugs around even early in the season. Kim

This thread is two years old and the OP was last active on this forum 1,5 years ago - it might be better to start a new thread ;-) BC SY