Im flying into Biarritz next Wed 28th Aug at about 3.20pm and need to find out how to get to SJPDP. Ive read to bus to Bayonne and then catch a train there to St Jean. Has anyone does this recently in the afternoon and are there enough buses/trains to catch at that time of the day? Where would I find train times? Thanks for your help.
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hi there ...
I did the Camino from SJPdP to Logrono recently (5-19 Aug) and just to response to your query (and extra info re Bourricot), find out the bus departure times from Biarritz airport first (there are posts here mentioning the timetable also) and maybe it was just me, but I was surprised to see how busy the traffic from Biarritz airport to Gare Bayonne was.
I landed in Biarritz at 1430 (plane scheduled to land at 1405, but got delayed) and wanted badly to catch the 1455 train from Gare Bayonne to SJPdP, so I took a taxi, which was very expensive (35 Euro), and entered the train just in time. The train was full, and was unable to enjoy the scenery as planned. Later on I thought it might be a better idea to contact and use Bourricot Express instead of doing all these efforts. But you live and learn.
By the way, the real Bourricot Express 's service for shuttle run was unavailable during my Camino period, instead, I was referred to a private taxi driver, so there was confusion as to what price to pay, but just be firmed about it.
For example:
the luggage transfer SJPdP to Roncesvalles according to Bourricot Express’ brochure was 8 Euro and person transfer from SJPdP to Orisson was 8 Euro. However, both the Camino office and my hotel owner read it as luggage transfer (not for person), and when inquired how much the cost for person transfer SJPdP to Orisson, the driver quoted me for 18 Euro! At that time I did not know he was the shuttle driver doing the morning run.
In the end, I let my hotel owner proved (after I was sure he was the shuttle driver) that the Bourricot Express’ price/note for person-tranfer from SJPdP to Orisson was 8 Euro. Finally he agreed to settle for 10 Euro. Many luggages were transferred in the shuttle with me, so it was really the car/van for dropping/picking up luggage, was it from Bourricot Express (?) who knows.
All and all, when you think they should know everything, don’t rely on it, always check and check until you get it right.