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I'm sorry - have you ever been to Penn Station in NYC?!Yes and generally very enjoyable. Only down point for me was the craziness of the Paris train stations,....
Everyone on this Forum knows by now that I am a staunch believer in Paris stop-over. That said, i looked that the above and said - ya know? perhaps me should take a lookie.Yes.
If one has no interest in seeing Paris, there are trains heading south from CDG. They may go directly to Bayonne or Biarritz or indirectly via Bordeaux.
An RER station is under Terminal 1, a TGV station is under Terminal 2. I prefer TGV as it saves a lot of time.
An easy way to monitor is by looking at the options here:
(Recommended before one charges into the SNCF site: https://www.sncf-connect.com/ )
B
I'm sorry - have you ever been to Penn Station in NYC?!
Everyone on this Forum knows by now that I am a staunch believer in Paris stop-over. That said, i looked that the above and said - ya know? perhaps me should take a lookie.
...and Rome2Rio dispatches this (full disclosure - I did not get into details, just did a 'drive-by' so to speak):
I'm sorry.... 8 or 9 hours after I just flew for at least the same, possibly overnight (sort of going for the North American Pilgrims here... forget about AUS, NZ and the like)?!
- Shortest at 4h15m Fly from CdG --> train
- Cheapest at 14h 15m Bus (2 of them)
- Train at 7h 56m 3 trains all together
- Train via Bordeaux at 8h 46m also 3 trains
For WHO? for WHAT? show up in SJPdP towards late evening and worry about possibly being locked oout of albergue and\or missing dinners? (again, sorry but there have been close to 6 new threads about CdG-->SJPdP transit as of last week or so and some Members do tell of stressful possibilities....)
Yes to each his\her own, I get it. But we are starting on our Caminos. The 1st-timers are nervous already; for some its the 1st time they have been to Europe.... Why not take it easy, relax, dont rush, take a remainder of the day and get on that train tomorrow morning arriving to SJPdP by mid-afternoon well rested and reasonably fresh?
Sorry again...don't want to come across as "condescending" and even somewhat rude....
I appreciate this!I'm sorry - have you ever been to Penn Station in NYC?!
Everyone on this Forum knows by now that I am a staunch believer in Paris stop-over. That said, i looked that the above and said - ya know? perhaps me should take a lookie.
...and Rome2Rio dispatches this (full disclosure - I did not get into details, just did a 'drive-by' so to speak):
I'm sorry.... 8 or 9 hours after I just flew for at least the same, possibly overnight (sort of going for the North American Pilgrims here... forget about AUS, NZ and the like)?!
- Shortest at 4h15m Fly from CdG --> train
- Cheapest at 14h 15m Bus (2 of them)
- Train at 7h 56m 3 trains all together
- Train via Bordeaux at 8h 46m also 3 trains
For WHO? for WHAT? show up in SJPdP towards late evening and worry about possibly being locked oout of albergue and\or missing dinners? (again, sorry but there have been close to 6 new threads about CdG-->SJPdP transit as of last week or so and some Members do tell of stressful possibilities....)
Yes to each his\her own, I get it. But we are starting on our Caminos. The 1st-timers are nervous already; for some its the 1st time they have been to Europe.... Why not take it easy, relax, dont rush, take a remainder of the day and get on that train tomorrow morning arriving to SJPdP by mid-afternoon well rested and reasonably fresh?
Sorry again...don't want to come across as "condescending" and even somewhat rude....
All good points!Fair points all, @CWBuff !
I guess that I should have been careful and noted that I would NOT propose to go CDG to SJPP all in one go. I favor a stopover in Bayonne (or Biarritz, depending upon the train) before the last leg.
My preference for training direct from CDG is because my way of adapting to a new time zone is to stay up and awake until evening falls. For me, a train ride is a mellow way to do just that.
No, but I have now made a note not to thank youI'm sorry - have you ever been to Penn Station in NYC?!
So the best train app for traveling paris to St Jean is the rome2rio?Yes.
If one has no interest in seeing Paris, there are trains heading south from CDG. They may go directly to Bayonne or Biarritz or indirectly via Bordeaux.
An RER station is under Terminal 1, a TGV station is under Terminal 2. I prefer TGV as it saves a lot of time.
An easy way to monitor is by looking at the options here:
(Recommended before one charges into the SNCF site: https://www.sncf-connect.com/ )
B
I have a keen interest in Paris, and have booked a room right in the center. I will spend three nights and days before heading down to St Jean. What are the best cultural attractions in central Paris, these days, if you please? Charging up in Paris to buffer American jet lag is my plan, as last time I walked the camino, I showed up and directly started marching over the Pyrenees. I hope to walk and sleep better with this plan. It seems a train to St Jean would allow a sense of France better than a flight. Are certain trains or riding classes best? Buen Camino, SidYes.
If one has no interest in seeing Paris, there are trains heading south from CDG. They may go directly to Bayonne or Biarritz or indirectly via Bordeaux.
An RER station is under Terminal 1, a TGV station is under Terminal 2. I prefer TGV as it saves a lot of time.
An easy way to monitor is by looking at the options here:
(Recommended before one charges into the SNCF site: https://www.sncf-connect.com/ )
B
What are the best cultural attractions in central Paris, these days, if you please?
As far as I know, most trains to Bayonne, then on to SJPdP depart from Gare Montparnasse. The first time I went I got a really good deal on a 1st class ticket. The tickets last year were much more expensive (tip: book as soon as possible for the best price), so I booked 2nd class, and honestly, I didn't notice much difference between the two.Are certain trains or riding classes best?
I am here to report I learnt the hard way, 2018, and will now try this 3 days in Paris way. Looks like three trains will get me to SJPDP from Paris in the spell of a day, or an 90Euro flight to Biarritz if I'm looking for another airport crisis of some sort. I'm thinking train, a night in St Jean, and walk to Orrison for a lower bunk before a waltz into the wild horses before dancing down to Roncevalles and the grandest albergue of all. See you around the 19th, or night of the 20th or so in Orisson, who knows. The Virgin of Biakorri knows. Last time I saw her, baby Jesus blinked.I'm sorry - have you ever been to Penn Station in NYC?!
Everyone on this Forum knows by now that I am a staunch believer in Paris stop-over. That said, i looked that the above and said - ya know? perhaps me should take a lookie.
...and Rome2Rio dispatches this (full disclosure - I did not get into details, just did a 'drive-by' so to speak):
I'm sorry.... 8 or 9 hours after I just flew for at least the same, possibly overnight (sort of going for the North American Pilgrims here... forget about AUS, NZ and the like)?!
- Shortest at 4h15m Fly from CdG --> train
- Cheapest at 14h 15m Bus (2 of them)
- Train at 7h 56m 3 trains all together
- Train via Bordeaux at 8h 46m also 3 trains
For WHO? for WHAT? show up in SJPdP towards late evening and worry about possibly being locked oout of albergue and\or missing dinners? (again, sorry but there have been close to 6 new threads about CdG-->SJPdP transit as of last week or so and some Members do tell of stressful possibilities....)
Yes to each his\her own, I get it. But we are starting on our Caminos. The 1st-timers are nervous already; for some its the 1st time they have been to Europe.... Why not take it easy, relax, dont rush, take a remainder of the day and get on that train tomorrow morning arriving to SJPdP by mid-afternoon well rested and reasonably fresh?
Sorry again...don't want to come across as "condescending" and even somewhat rude....
Actually, only two trains. Montparnasse to Bayonne, then transfer to a smaller train to SJPdP.Looks like three trains will get me to SJPDP from Paris in the spell of a day
I have a keen interest in Paris, and have booked a room right in the center. I will spend three nights and days before heading down to St Jean. What are the best cultural attractions in central Paris, these days, if you please? Charging up in Paris to buffer American jet lag is my plan, as last time I walked the camino, I showed up and directly started marching over the Pyrenees. I hope to walk and sleep better with this plan. It seems a train to St Jean would allow a sense of France better than a flight. Are certain trains or riding classes best? Buen Camino, Sid
Specifically, which trains and train line? Merci, El SidActually, only two trains. Montparnasse to Bayonne, then transfer to a smaller train to SJPdP.
Great suggestion. I believe I will spend a night in Bayonne, yes, on the water in the oxygen, either before or after my camino, as my departure home is again from Paris if my money lasts. Oh, it will, and I have credit cards, lots of those. Life is short, I am older. Perhaps my first three days in Paris will lead me to a planned special stay of some sort before my return to Montana, a special location, or friend, or maybe i will find a rural location near the airport to stay in the country side. Novel ideas can emerge from the space there, and travels to and from, it is said. Since I have previously completed the Camino in 2018 from SJPDP, I am much less concerned about getting there and getting going, whereas in '18 around April Fool's, I was anxious and apprehensive, as all were. This time I have booked Orrison for around the 20th, so I am excited to have a little more heart, leg, and wind on hand to march to Roncevalles. Last time, 2018, first official opening day of Napoleon pass, I communed with the wild horses on the pass, and did not arrive until dark, and ended up in the ancillary facility, wherein I had to be rousted out of bed the next day, g'won, git.I’m a big fan of traveling by train in Europe. Twice now, I’ve arrived in Paris after an overnight flight from Montreal. Both were early morning arrivals. The first time, with trains already booked, I traveled south to SJPP on the same day I landed in Paris and arrived in SJPP by late afternoon fairly exhausted (the local railway strike between Bayonne-SJPP complicated travel a bit). I started off the next morning across the Pyrenees (adrenalin and excitement helped me manage my travel fatigue).
My second trip to SJPP was by the same route, but with one big difference - after landing in Paris, I spent my first night there, enjoyed the sights of the city, and as @trecile mentioned above good, took advantage of free walking tours and wonderful food before heading to SJPP early the next morning. This time I had more time to enjoy the charming town of SJPP, prepare for my first day of walking on the Camino, and be better rested for a demanding, but very doable walk to Burguete.
Another option that I would entertain in the future would be to leave Paris on the day that I arrived there but only travel as far as Bayonne (another wonderful small French city) and then head on to SJPP the next morning.
If I’ve learned one thing from my Caminos, it's to slow down a bit and to enjoy the whole journey including getting to my starting point along The Way.
Buen Camino!
The French train company, SNCF.Specifically, which trains and train line? Merci, El Sid
I love this way of getting to SJPdP! Ah! The beautiful French Countryside!We are travelling from Canada to Paris and planned to take the train to Bayonne and then another train to St Jean. Is this the best way to get there?
Not sure what you mean by running a risk of missing the rattler.Book the Bayonne train that leaves around 8am. Takes approx 4 hrs to Bayonne (there is one 10min stop in Bordeaux).
In Bayonne the little valley rattler awaits your trains arrival, before taking you up the Rive River valley to St Jean. 1 hr.
Overall a relaxing trip delivering you to St Jean by 1.30pm.
By taking a later train from Paris you run the risk of missing the Valley rattler connection to St Jean. It can be erratic and a taxi is expensive!
The train to St Jean is sometimes replaced with a bus, due to rail maintenance work.
The locals have always called the Bayonne to SJPDP train the "Valley Rattler". The old train sure used to be one, and the name has "stuck". It's service was, and is still somewhat erratic.Not sure what you mean by running a risk of missing the rattler.
I took a 10am or so train, was in Bayonne in 4hrs flat and was directed (along with other pilgrims) to the mentioned substitute bus. Another hour and we disembarked in SJPdP.
No risk...
i'm flying into paris and then taking a short flight. after that i'm using a share car service to get to sjpdp. i'm sure visiting paris is beautiful (i've been) but i'm there for one reason and for me i need to reach my destination (sjpdp) before i can really relax. but everyone is different.We are travelling from Canada to Paris and planned to take the train to Bayonne and then another train to St Jean. Is this the best way to get there?
i'm doing the same.Taking the train is a great way to go. You might also look at the cost in time and money to take a flight into Biarritz. From there you can either catch the train or use the transport service Express Bourricot to get to St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
As long as you allow yourself at least one day to decompress. IMHO tackling Pyrenees the following morning may produce some shall we say undesirable results?!i'm flying into paris and then taking a short flight. after that i'm using a share car service to get to sjpdp. i'm sure visiting paris is beautiful (i've been) but i'm there for one reason and for me i need to reach my destination (sjpdp) before i can really relax. but everyone is different.