Travel to St Jean Pied de Port

[bprohs]

I’m thinking about doing the Francès next May or June. I will be leaving from Denver Colorado and I’m wondering the best way to get St Jean Pied de Port. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Roland49]

Where do your flight land?
Did you book to Paris or do you fly to Biarritz?

 

[ukjohn99]

I’m thinking about doing the Francès next May or June. I will be leaving from Denver Colorado and I’m wondering the best way to get St Jean Pied de Port. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I live in the UK. I flew to Toulouse, stayed a night then went by train to St Jean via Bayonne. It was a lovely and surprising train journey. Surprising because I hadn't realised that the route took me through Paa and Lourdes. it also meant that I arrived in St Jean at a civilised time in the afternoon. The return journey to Toulouse from Santiago was "interesting" - by night bus.

 

[curlylottie]

I flew from San Francisco direct to Paris in 2022, stayed one night in Paris in a hotel right next to the airport, and then the next morning took the TGV train to Bayonne and another train from Bayonne to SJPP. You can reserve tickets using the Trainline app. The Paris Charles de Gaulle airport you fly into is also where the TGV train leaves from, so it makes it pretty easy. Buen Camino!

 

[Colokid]

I’m thinking about doing the Francès next May or June. I will be leaving from Denver Colorado and I’m wondering the best way to get St Jean Pied de Port. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

In April, I flew Denver to Paris Charles de Gaul, spent a few days there in Paris, then took high speed TGV train from central Paris Gare Montparnasse train station to SJPDP, with train change at Bayonne. (Rome2Rio ap to get around)
I went without return flight; found I could fly out of Santiago.

Need planning tips? Denver Pilgrims have monthly meetups:

Colorado Front Range Chapter (Denver/Boulder) - American Pilgrims on the Camino

The Colorado Front Range chapter of American Pilgrims covers the area between Ft. Collins and Colorado Springs, Colorado centered on Denver and Boulder. The Colorado Front Range Chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino hosts events and walks for people interested in walking or who have walked...

americanpilgrims.org

 

[mjal]

I live in the UK. I flew to Toulouse, stayed a night then went by train to St Jean via Bayonne. It was a lovely and surprising train journey. Surprising because I hadn't realised that the route took me through Paa and Lourdes. it also meant that I arrived in St Jean at a civilised time in the afternoon. The return journey to Toulouse from Santiago was "interesting" - by night bus.

I am in Scotland with easy access to GLA and EDI.
May I ask if there was some special reason for using Toulouse, particularly for the return from Santiago?

 

[CWBuff]

Hello and Welcome to the Forum
There is no "best way" - different people have different preferences based on their likes\dislikes and previous experiences

to sum up most common practices coming from US in no particular order

• Fly to Paris (CdC)
  • Take direct flight to Biarritz
    • Arrange with Express Bourricot to pick you up
  • Take Train to Bayonne *
    • Continue to SJPdP on local train
  • Try to make your way to Gare Montparnasse and catch later train to Bayonne same day *
  • Stay Overnight in Paris and then catch next morning train to Bayonne *
• Fly to Madrid
  • Make your way to Pamplona (most people do it via train - and an overnight stay in Madrid itself is also not out of question)
    • Take a bus to SJPdP (most do it next morning after spending the night but it can be done in one day)

Of course there are many other variations but in a nutshell - that's what you are playing with. You and only you can decide what is best for you based on your time availability and finances.

For the record I very much favor (and did so) flying to Paris, staying overnight somewhere close to Gare Montparnasse and take next morning train to SJPdP via Bayonne. If your tix are pre-booked then you don't even have to rush yourself to get them on that morning but can have a leisurely petit-déjeuner and a nice stroll to the station.

One way or another IMHO doing one's homework and as thoroughly as possible is immeasurable not only to and from but the whole Camino. You don't have to pre-plan every single day (there is plenty of room for spontaneity) but just to reasonably know what to expect and do.

Good Luck and Buen Camino!

 

[SusanWW]

I like to fly into Madrid, stay overnight in the city center near Puerta del Sol, then take a morning train to Pamplona and catch the ALSA bus at noon from Pamplona to St.Jean-Pied-de-Port. The time in Madrid allows me to enjoy the city, get some Euros, set my phone up with a European data plan, and partially recover from the trans-Atlantic flight. Sometimes there’s an advantage to booking a round trip flight in and out of Spain.

After the Camino it’s easy to travel back to Madrid from Santiago or any of the other Camino cities in Spain by bus or train. And then it’s easy to go from Madrid to Mallorca or another spot for a post-Camino respite!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Which language you are most comfortable with could affect your choice of flying to Paris or Madrid (or Barcelona). Especially if you want to spend some time in one of those cities before heading to SJPdP. We've only flown in and out of Barcelona (because we like visiting it) but I imagine it is just as easy going through Paris.

 

[bprohs]

In April, I flew Denver to Paris Charles de Gaul, spent a few days there in Paris, then took high speed TGV train from central Paris Gare Montparnasse train station to SJPDP, with train change at Bayonne. (Rome2Rio ap to get around)
I went without return flight; found I could fly out of Santiago.

Need planning tips? Denver Pilgrims have monthly meetups:

Colorado Front Range Chapter (Denver/Boulder) - American Pilgrims on the Camino

The Colorado Front Range chapter of American Pilgrims covers the area between Ft. Collins and Colorado Springs, Colorado centered on Denver and Boulder. The Colorado Front Range Chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino hosts events and walks for people interested in walking or who have walked...

americanpilgrims.org

Great info, thanks! I’ll definitely check into the meetups!

 

[bprohs]

Thanks!

 

[60LifeChange]

I’m thinking about doing the Francès next May or June. I will be leaving from Denver Colorado and I’m wondering the best way to get St Jean Pied de Port. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I am leaving from Grand Junction in May, flight to Paris, train from CDG (airport) to St Jean Pied de Port. at least that is my plan thus far.

 

[CWBuff]

Great info, thanks! I’ll definitely check into the meetups!

I wholeheartedly recommend to join your local Chapter of APotC!

Mine provided me with much help and support, not to mention sheer joy of Camaraderie with same-minded folks.
If anything about 19 of us will be gathering this Saturday for a 20km walk (piece of cake as it will be quite flat, so.... Meseta )

 

[bprohs]

I flew from San Francisco direct to Paris in 2022, stayed one night in Paris in a hotel right next to the airport, and then the next morning took the TGV train to Bayonne and another train from Bayonne to SJPP. You can reserve tickets using the Trainline app. The Paris Charles de Gaulle airport you fly into is also where the TGV train leaves from, so it makes it pretty easy. Buen Camino!

Thanks, it seems like most people tend to fly into Paris from the US. This looks pretty straightforward.

 

[bprohs]

I am leaving from Grand Junction in May, flight to Paris, train from CDG (airport) to St Jean Pied de Port. at least that is my plan thus far.

Will you fly from GJ to Denver? I live in Loveland so I’m pretty close to DIA. What airline will you be flying to Paris? Also, are you planning on pre-booking your train?

 

[bprohs]

Thanks!

 

[lt56ny]

If you are not in a rush why don't you stay in Paris or Madrid for a few days??? Get over your jet lag. Get some rest and then head to SJPP.

 

[bprohs]

Hello and Welcome to the Forum
There is no "best way" - different people have different preferences based on their likes\dislikes and previous experiences

to sum up most common practices coming from US in no particular order

• Fly to Paris (CdC)
  • Take direct flight to Biarritz
    • Arrange with Express Bourricot to pick you up
  • Take Train to Bayonne *
    • Continue to SJPdP on local train
  • Try to make your way to Gare Montparnasse and catch later train to Bayonne same day *
  • Stay Overnight in Paris and then catch next morning train to Bayonne *
• Fly to Madrid
  • Make your way to Pamplona (most people do it via train - and an overnight stay in Madrid itself is also not out of question)
    • Take a bus to SJPdP (most do it next morning after spending the night but it can be done in one day)

Of course there are many other variations but in a nutshell - that's what you are playing with. You and only you can decide what is best for you based on your time availability and finances.

For the record I very much favor (and did so) flying to Paris, staying overnight somewhere close to Gare Montparnasse and take next morning train to SJPdP via Bayonne. If your tix are pre-booked then you don't even have to rush yourself to get them on that morning but can have a leisurely petit-déjeuner and a nice stroll to the station.

One way or another IMHO doing one's homework and as thoroughly as possible is immeasurable not only to and from but the whole Camino. You don't have to pre-plan every single day (there is plenty of room for spontaneity) but just to reasonably know what to expect and do.

Good Luck and Buen Camino!

What great options, thanks for putting this together! I really hadn’t considered Madrid.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Thanks, it seems like most people tend to fly into Paris from the US. This looks pretty straightforward.

Actually, by far, most people fly into Madrid. It just happened to be the people who posted here.

Although it's easier to get to SJPP from Paris, it's much easier to get from Santiago to Madrid then to Paris for your flight home. You have to think holistically about coming and going.

If you are only coming to walk the Camino, the best thing would be to fly into Paris, and then leave from Madrid if you can book a multi city ticket. If I couldn't book a multi city ticket, I would fly into Madrid.

Lots of different ideas if you scroll through the posts in the camino transportation sub forum.

 

[bprohs]

Which language you are most comfortable with could affect your choice of flying to Paris or Madrid (or Barcelona). Especially if you want to spend some time in one of those cities before heading to SJPdP. We've only flown in and out of Barcelona (because we like visiting it) but I imagine it is just as easy going through Paris.

I speak little Spanish and virtually no French, so hopefully I’ll run into another pilgrim who does, whether I fly into Spain or France. I’ve been to Madrid several times and France a couple of times, but I’m tending to think it might be easier just to fly into Paris and catch the train.

 

[CWBuff]

re: language barrier. The days of yore are truly gone and in major cities like Paris or Madrid esp in the transportation\information areas pretty much everyone speaks English.

In reverse to OP I speak very little French and virtually no Spanish. Dint produce too much issues getting to\from Camino (just an FYI the exit was a train from SdC to Madrid, 3 days there and a MAD --> PHL flight) and while on Frances with Finisterre extension.

 

[trecile]

Although it's easier to get to SJPP from Paris, it's much easier to get from Santiago to Madrid then to Paris for your flight home. You have to think holistically about coming and going.

But a round trip ticket to/from the same destination isn't necessary. I recommend looking at multi-city, aka open jaw tickets, which are usually priced similarly to round trip tickets. For example fly into Paris then home from Porto.

I usually use Google Flights to look for options. It has a drop down menu to choose between round trip, one way, and multi-city itineraries.

 

[Lucky7]

I’m thinking about doing the Francès next May or June. I will be leaving from Denver Colorado and I’m wondering the best way to get St Jean Pied de Port. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

My wife and completed the Camino Frances recently- flew into Madrid from Philadelphia - took a train to Pamplona - spent a night there - and caught a bus the next day to St. Jean - may not have been the most direct but worked for us - and after 3 days walking we were back in Pamplona and felt like we already knew our way around - Good luck - a wonderful experience - Buen Camino

 

[naplesdon]

I speak little Spanish and virtually no French, so hopefully I’ll run into another pilgrim who does, whether I fly into Spain or France. I’ve been to Madrid several times and France a couple of times, but I’m tending to think it might be easier just to fly into Paris and catch the train.

Trust me, language will not be a problem unless you are visiting some rural enclave. I live in south Florida and my preferred arrival point is Bilbao. Bilbao has easy access to where you might want to start, check it out on Rome2Rio.

 

[SalishSailor]

I’m thinking about doing the Francès next May or June. I will be leaving from Denver Colorado and I’m wondering the best way to get St Jean Pied de Port. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I flew into CdG airport in Paris and took the train to Bayonne. Then there is a small train that takes you up to St. Jean. Took a full day from Paris.

 

[SalishSailor]

Forgot to mention that there is a hotel in the airport terminal where flights from the US land. The train station is directly below that hotel. I got some sleep and food there before the trip to St. Jean. Very convenient.

 

[CWBuff]

@SalishSailor - so you flew in (presumably eary morning), deplaned, went to the above-mentioned hotel, got a room and caught some sleep, ate and then boarded the train to Bayonne & subsequently to SJPdp all in one day?

 

[SalishSailor]

@SalishSailor - so you flew in (presumably eary morning), deplaned, went to the above-mentioned hotel, got a room and caught some sleep, ate and then boarded the train to Bayonne & subsequently to SJPdp all in one day?

Sorry! Arrived at the airport in the early evening and then departed by train the next morning. Be sure to check the timetable for the train between Bayonne and St. Jean so you can catch it. It’s a beautiful ride up into the mountains.

 

[SalishSailor]

Sorry! Arrived at the airport in the early evening and then departed by train the next morning. Be sure to check the timetable for the train between Bayonne and St. Jean so you can catch it. It’s a beautiful ride up into the mountains.

The train ride to Bayonne required one change of trains at Bordeaux. The whole trip was a wonderful prelude to St. Jean and the Camino.

 

[bprohs]

Actually, by far, most people fly into Madrid. It just happened to be the people who posted here.

Although it's easier to get to SJPP from Paris, it's much easier to get from Santiago to Madrid then to Paris for your flight home. You have to think holistically about coming and going.

If you are only coming to walk the Camino, the best thing would be to fly into Paris, and then leave from Madrid if you can book a multi city ticket. If I couldn't book a multi city ticket, I would fly into Madrid.

Lots of different ideas if you scroll through the posts in the camino transportation sub forum.

Great points! I haven’t started shopping for airfares yet and will have to see what is available for different originating and departure cities. I’ll definitely check out the sub forum. Thanks!

 

[bprohs]

Forgot to mention that there is a hotel in the airport terminal where flights from the US land. The train station is directly below that hotel. I got some sleep and food there before the trip to St. Jean. Very convenient.

Pretty handy!

 

[bprohs]

Thank you so much for the information. How long is the train ride from Madrid to Pamplona?

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Thank you so much for the information. How long is the train ride from Madrid to Pamplona?

3.5 hours.
Below is a link from the rome-to-rio website about your transportation options. If you don't use them already, that website and app along with Google maps are usually the best places to check for ground transportation. "Google flights" is the best place to check for flights.

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Madrid/Pamplona#trips

 

[MassNative]

I’m thinking about doing the Francès next May or June. I will be leaving from Denver Colorado and I’m wondering the best way to get St Jean Pied de Port. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I flew Boston to Paris (CDG), booked a hotel in Paris one night for a jetlag recovery day. Hotel was a couple of blocks from Gare Montparnasse, which gave us a short walk the next morning for the TGV to Bayonne and the connection to SJPdP. We were in our SJPdP hostel before dinner time.

We returned home via Paris also, but only because our plan was to visit friends in France after our camino. Otherwise I would have looked for a return flight from Porto or Lisboa.

 

[60LifeChange]

Will you fly from GJ to Denver? I live in Loveland so I’m pretty close to DIA. What airline will you be flying to Paris? Also, are you planning on pre-booking your train?

I fly to DFW, then direct to Paris. and will book my train as soon as trainline has an availability which is 3 months lead I believe. So, I think I can get the train ticket around February or March, but yes, putting things in cement as I like to think... I am learning what tools on my phone work for me and which ones do not... trainline has worked well so far. and I have a friend in Loveland. He retired from Chevron and moved there a year or two ago.. maybe more. my sense of time is horrendous.

 

[60LifeChange]

Forgot to mention that there is a hotel in the airport terminal where flights from the US land. The train station is directly below that hotel. I got some sleep and food there before the trip to St. Jean. Very convenient.

Handy to know! that way I am not spending a lot of time trying to do reconnaissance looking for the train station!

 

[trecile]

Handy to know! that way I am not spending a lot of time trying to do reconnaissance looking for the train station!

I think that it's possible to get a train connection from the airport, but I booked a hotel near the Montparnasse train station where the train that goes to Bayonne departs from. In Bayonne you change to a smaller train that takes you to St Jean Pied de Port.

I also spent a few nights in Paris as I had never been there and recovered from my jet lag.

 

[60LifeChange]

Yes, I have a hotel booked at the airport, will stay there overnight, hope to get some sleep then get up and head to St Jean via Bayonne as you mention! Truly looking forward to the journey.

 

[OldCupple]

My husband and I took a nonstop from Miami to Barcelona, stayed a couple of days, and then took a train to Pamplona. We were able to buy the train tickets ahead of time on Trainline. We then identified other pilgrims on the train (easy, look for backpacks), and found another couple who wanted to share a taxi with us to SJPdP. After completing the Camino, we took the train to Madrid and flew home from there.

 

[suseia]

My wife and completed the Camino Frances recently- flew into Madrid from Philadelphia - took a train to Pamplona - spent a night there - and caught a bus the next day to St. Jean - may not have been the most direct but worked for us - and after 3 days walking we were back in Pamplona and felt like we already knew our way around - Good luck - a wonderful experience - Buen Camino

This summer we landed with my wife in Madrid in the morning of the day of our arrival and we took a bus leaving from madrid airport to Pamplona where we spent a night. The following day we went by bus to sjpp. The bus was obviously full of pilgrims and we booked it some days before. The time"s departure of the bus in Pamplona was 12 and in one hour and a half it arrived in sjpp. We arrived again in Pamplona on the third day of our camino and it was a little...bizarre... Having only 2 weeks of vacation our camino finished in burgos, so we took a bus to Madrid airport in the morning of our second day in burgos and in the afternoon we flew back from Madrid. Consequently even livig in Europe we spent 2 days to get sjpp. The advantage of bus compared with train is the departure from Madrid airport.

 

[60LifeChange]

I flew from San Francisco direct to Paris in 2022, stayed one night in Paris in a hotel right next to the airport, and then the next morning took the TGV train to Bayonne and another train from Bayonne to SJPP. You can reserve tickets using the Trainline app. The Paris Charles de Gaulle airport you fly into is also where the TGV train leaves from, so it makes it pretty easy. Buen Camino!

We share the same plans. Fly into CDG stay there overnight then train to Bayonne then to SJPP

Getting quite excited at this point

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I usually use Google Flights to look for options. It has a drop down menu to choose between round trip, one way, and multi-city itineraries.

For those interested in using Google Flights the forum has at least two threads dealing with it.

August 2024: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/in-praise-of-google-flights.88313/

October 2022: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/is-google-flights-screwing-with-me.77367/

 

[Bob Howard]

I have approached the Camino from Denver to Lisbon, Barcelona, Paris and Madrid. I like Madrid because the overnight flights tend to get in between 8:00 and 9:00 the following morning, which allows me to catch a noon flight from Madrid to San Sebastián airport, and then a bus/taxi to catch a train to Bayonne. I used to think I should try to get to Bayonne before the last train to SJPDP, but now stay overnight in Bayonne simply because I like it so much--it is a very pleasant town. In 2022, I was already in Italy for a few weeks before the Camino, and flew into Paris and caught a train to Bayonne. Pairs was the most confusing and maddening airport I have ever traveled through. Also, there is a noon flight from MAD to Pamplona.

 

[CWBuff]

Pairs was the most confusing and maddening airport I have ever traveled through.

I respectfully disagree.
I never had any issues in CDG.
But I guess it comes down to personal opinion- I've heard people to state rage same about LHR,JFK and EWR to name a few
And then there is MAD T1 to T4 ...