getting to sjpp.

[shox]

Im flying into Biarritz on the 28th of may kind of late, and i was wondering if anyone knew what time the last train from Bayonne train station to St Jean was?

Thanks very much,

Shox.

[shox]

or if anyone knows about the bus system that would be great aswell.

Shox.

[Covey]

Try:

TER Aquitaine - SNCF - Itin

[BHinSanDiego]

You can also contact a company called Express Bouricot Express Bourricot they provide transportation at a very reasonable rate. Can best be described as a shuttle service or taxi service. For example they are picking us up at the train station in Pamplona and taking us to St Jean for 24 Euros a person, less if more people go.

[shox]

cool, thanks very much, thats very helpful.

Shox.

[Covey]

I think you will find that as Express Bourricot is a Spanish company, their taxi licence will only allow pickups in Spain and not France. They can drop off in France, but not pick up.

There are taxis at Bairritz airport which can take you to Bayonne station or to St Jean. Last quote for Bairritz to St Jean I heard of was €100, but if there are 3 or 4 of you wanting to go to the same destination, the fare split is much more reasonable. The rail fare from Bayonne to St Jean was €7.50 last year.

Train times for the first week in July show weekday departures from Bayonne at 08:10, 11:47, 15:09, 18:12 with a journey time of 1hr 20m.
Train times for the first week in July show Saturday departures from Bayonne at 08:22, 11:57, 15:10, 18:11, 21.06
Train times for the first week in July show Sunday departures from Bayonne at 08:22, 11:26, 14:36, 15:09, 18:11

[shox]

hey Covey,
i think that Express Bourricot company is french, on there website, at the bottom of the page it says:

CAUTION:

Our transportation license does not allow us to undertake the transport of people within the Spanish territory. The place of departure or arrival point must be on French territory.
Within France: yes
France to Spain: yes
Spain to France: yes
Spain Spain: No

Transport de personnes

7.50 is a very reasonable price for the train, if that worked out that would be perfect.
I assume a taxi or buse from Biarritz airport to Bayonne station would be quite cheap?

[Covey]

I am amazed that a French company can originate a fare in Spain! However, you are right in that they are French, so presumably can arrange a pickup at Bairritz airport.

The bus fare from the airport to Bayonne railway station is around €2 if my memory still works.

[Muesli]

Just to add that I read on the web that the track from Bayonne to St.Jean is currently closed for engineering works (I think until June) so you take a bus from the station (times are the same)..

[shox]

really? the rail line is closed!? so if i get a bus/taxi to Bayonne, i than get another bus to St. Jean yes?

Also, Express Bourricot gave me a quote of 17E per person (4 people), from Bairritz airport to St. Jean. I think i may be better off getting the train (or bus, if train isnt available).

[shox]

really? the rail line is closed!? so if i get a bus/taxi to Bayonne, i than get another bus to St. Jean yes?

Also, Express Bourricot gave me a quote of 17E per person (4 people), from Bairritz airport to St. Jean. I think i may be better off getting the train (or bus, if train isnt available).

[Covey]

The bus to Bayonne station from Bairritz airport goes from just outside the airport terminal door and will deliver you to the front door of the railway station.

€17 sounds reasonable for a taxi to St Jean, assuming of course that you can find 3 others to share the cost.

[shox]

Well there are 4 of us travelling to St. Jean, but it wound be much cheaper to get the bus/train...no?

[Covey]

It would be cheaper to get the airport bus to the station and then the rail bus to St Jean. Except.........................

The taxi will get you to St Jean far faster than the bus ride via the station. It really depends on when you are arriving at Bairritz airport. The trains to St Jean go around every 2-3 hours (ish) so a straight run from the airport to St Jean will get you to the Pilgrim Office in 1 hour, whereas you might take 3 hours via the bus route.

The extra 2 hours to sort yourself out in St Jean is worth the taxi fare.

Take the taxi!!

[shox]

your probably right, it would all be for the sake of maybe 5euro, not worth the hassle. I think i will take your advice.

[Muesli]

The line is closed until the 30 June. I agree - if your flight gets into biarritz in the afternoon, it makes sense to share a taxi and have time in St.Jean. Having said that, if anyone is starting out in bayonne in the morning when the train is back running, the rail journey is really picturesque and worth taking if you have the time imho.

[shox]

well considering the rail line is down, and we'r getting into biarritz somewhat late, i think maybe the taxi is the best option. 17E for the convenience cant be dismissed.

This has been really helpful, so thank you everyone.

Shox.

[dchapa]

Since this is a topic about getting to SJPP, I figured I'll ask here...

I'm planning to arrive to Bayonne from Paris, and then taking the bus to SJPP. I saw somewhere else the cost for the bus ride, but I have no idea at what time or how often the bus leaves. Anyone have any idea on what would be the best way to approach that? I should arrive in Bayonne the 2nd or 3rd of June.

[Covey]

The Bayonne to St Jean bus goes from the railway station at the same time as the trains were supposed to depart, and are charging the same fare which is around €7.

If you are catching the night TGV from Paris to Bayonne you should be in Bayonne in time for the 0815(ish) bus to St Jean, in which case you have the day in St Jean to sort out the kit and get your Pilgrim Passport, relax and have a beer.

You could walk to Roncesvalles after getting your Passport and get a day ahead of schedule, but as you will probably not have slept much on the overnight train and might be suffering from jet lag, it is better to relax in St John, have a good nights sleep, and set off at dawn the next morning.