Getting to SJPDP in May 2011

[Loughlin]

I dont seem to be able to find flights from Dublin to Biarritz in May 2011. Maybe i am looking so early??

[Covey]

I also cannot find flight information for 2011 to Bairritz for either Ryanair or Easyjet. Easyjet only fly from London Gatwick in the summer months and finish in early September.

I should try again just after Christmas!!

[Pete75]

I dont seem to be able to find flights from Dublin to Biarritz in May 2011. Maybe i am looking so early??

Hi folks, I was able to book my flight yesterday with Ryanair, Dublin to Biarritz April 29th 2011. Give it another try.

[HuskyNerd]

Covey, do RyanAir and/or EasyJet fly nonstop from Dublin or London in the summer? The flights showing up now are all via Paris, with layovers and flight times totalling over 12 hours. Price is cheap, but it seems a waste to spend that much time in airports.

[Covey]

Ryanair no longer fly to Santiago from Dublin. Ryanair fly daily all year round from London Stansted to Santiago.

Ryanair fly from Dublin to Bairritz in the summer months starting on 27th March 2011 and run a daily service from Stansted to Bairritz. Easyjet fly from London Gatwick to Bairritz in summer months only.

A lot of Scandinavian pilgrims use the Ryanair Stansted - Bairritz flights because it is easier to go via London than via Paris or where ever.

[jennir]

HI

I'm starting to plan the journey to St Jean PP, trying to plan a flight from South Wales to Biarritz and its looking impossible- so far. I'm thinking of starting early april or end of march but I am abit concerned about the weather around then.

Jennir

[Covey]

Hello Jennir and welcome to the Forum

A bit optimistic to expect to fly from Wales to Bairritz!! There are flights to Bairritz from Stansted with Ryanair all year round and in the summer months from Gatwick with Easyjet.

If you are going in March/April you should miss the snow in the Pyrenees and on the high ground but plan on it being cool and possibly wet. May/June is nice, July/Aug is hot as Hades and Sept/Oct are fantastic (usually!)

Have fun with the planning and ask any questions you like of us. We are all here to help you.

[basildonbond]

hi could anybody give me advice about the little things to take on the pilgrimage ive heard of people snoring in albuerges ets what about wash facilities at these places and is it nessasary to take a tent

[Covey]

Many Pilgrims carry earplugs to mitigate the worst of the snoring. You can usually buy these in camping and travel shops.

Washing facilities are fairly basic. In the older "official" albergues (State or local government run) the hot water supply is a bit of a lottery. It is best to assume the worst and then be pleasantly surprised when you find nice clean washrooms with running hot water and showers. Always take a travel plug for the basins!

Taking a tent is a major issue. If you want to camp then there are usually camp sites but they are invariably on the edge of town away from the bars and eating places and away from all the other pilgrims. The facilities are usually very basic because only pilgrims use them. The cost of an albergue bed is around €5 per night and for that you get a bed, showers, toilets, facilities for washing and drying clothes, a kitchen and eating area, and most important of all, other pilgrims for you to chat and socialize with.

If you camp, you have the additional weight of the tent + cooking kit etc etc and having to carry more food items. Most of those I have seen starting with a tent from St Jean, have posted it home at Pamplona!!

[Ange]

Hi Jennir

If it's any help, I'm going from Manchester (starting the walk mid March) and wanted to go via train rather than fly (enjoy the journey etc) and I've just booked trains from Manchester to London, Eurostar from London to Paris (staying overnight) and Paris to Bayonne (first class), all for just over £100. Booked all legs separately using Trainline.com, Eurostar and raileurope.co.uk sites. Worth thinking about as an option if flights a problem?

Ange