Barcelona to SJPP to Pamplona in April

[Paula50]

My daughter and I will be visiting Barcelona in April and would like to begin the Camino Frances from SJPP. Which of the following is the easiest way to get to SJPP from Barcelona? Least expensive?

a. Train to Pamploma, bus to Roncevalles, taxi to SJPP
b. Train to Irun, train to Bayonne, train to SJPP
c. Train to Perpignan, train to Toulouse, train to SJPP

We were planning to purchase a France/Spain rail pass so would like to use it rather than taxis and buses as much as possible. If the connections between trains are not good we will pay the extra for taxis and buses.

Even though I have read that a train goes to SJPP many times, I am having a hard time finding schedules for it. Any advice on this?

Also, does anyone know if this train route is covered by the Euro Rail pass?

We want to carry as little as possible. Do we need to be prepared for freezing temperatures between SJPP and Pamplona in mid April?

Thank you in advance.

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Paula ~
Congrats on your upcoming camino with your daughter. I love riding the trains in Spain and love Barcelona, too. What a great idea to start in Barcelona before your camino.

Without checking the exact fares I'm guessing the Eurorail pass is more expensive than necessary for this route, unless you're doing more travel than just the camino. The train from Barcelona to Pamplona is fairly straightforward, and there is now a (seasonal) bus that goes from Pamplona to SJPP, so that is likely your easiest route. Taking the train from Barcelona through France to Toulouse means several transfers -- much more difficult. Taking the train from Pamplona to Hendaye to Bayonne to SJPP is much more time consuming and complex. Even taking a van after arriving in Pamplona (e.g. Express Bourricot) though a little more expensive would save you a ton of time.

Here's how to make your train plans from Barcelona: Go to the Renfe webpage (click on Precios y Horarios) and input Barcelona (*) as origin and Pamplona/Irun as destination. The hours and times for April likely will not show up until around 90 days prior to your departure. If you use November as an example you can see there are 3 departures from Barcelona Sants station to Pamplona, each taking approx 3:45 to get there. You can purchase your tickets on the Renfe site as well, though it takes some Spanish to do so. It's a little easier to use the www.raileurope.com site for purchase of tickets. Cost is $65-$85.

If you're still looking for train info about SJPP from Bayonne, you can go to the same www.raileurope.com site or use the French rail website SNCF : Voyage, Transports et Logistique type in "Bayonne" for ville de depart and "Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port" (exact spelling) for ville de destination. The hours will then become visible for both. Again, sometimes schedules and fares are not visible until about 90 days in advance, and almost always tickets cannot be purchased online until about 90 days prior.

Buen camino!

[Paula50]

Thank you for the hint about the spelling of SJPP for the train schedule. I was typing St instead of Saint.

It's my understanding that the bus service from Pamplona to SJPP began in June last year? How would I find out when it begins in 2012?

I watched your video on your 2011 camino...very beautiful. It appears that you experienced the landscape blossom from the freshness of Spring into the full colour of Summer. I am wondering if mid April is too early to begin?

We are planning to buy the train pass because we will spend a week in the south of Spain before the Camino and another in the north of France afterwards. I know it would be simpler if we went to the north of France first and the South of Spain after but I'm trying to stay warm in Paris. : )

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Paula ~
You'll have to watch the website for the bus (Conda S.A. - Disfruta de tu viaje todo irá sobre ruedas) in order to know when it'll start up again in the spring. Last year it was June 18 to Sept 30, so it's unclear whether it'll be available for you earlier in the year.

Your other alternative is the Express Bourricot service at Express Bouricot . This van is run by a very nice French Basque woman named Caroline who lives in SJPP and operates her van service again beginning in March of next year. However, you can make your reservations now for the trip. I'm guessing she'll charge in the neighborhood of 35€ per person, depending on how many are in the van for that particular trip. That still beats the train option through Irun/Bayonne.

Weather-wise, I'm sure spring will be bursting out all over in April. I'd anticipate just as much green, but a little more rain and cool temps than in May. You'll have a grand time.

Buen camino!