Pamplona to Roncesvalles

[viclindal]

April 16 I plan to leave Pamplona by cab and go to Roncesvalles to start my hike.
Questions.
How long do you estimate the cab ride.
Estimate the cost.
Now the big question . I plan to step out of the cab and turn around and head for Santiago. I have my Pilgrim's passport at the moment from Canada. This El Camino passport has been accepted as valid.
Now do I check in somewhere in Roncesvalles? If so where?
Much appreciate.
Vic

[Beatrix]

Hello Vic,

If I were you, I would get a stamp in Roncesvalles from the Albergue, before you start the walking.
Otherwise when you arrive to the next place to sleep, they will not be sure where did you start.
Also when you get to Santiago they will ask you where did you start walking, and if you would want to prove that you started from Roncesvalles, the stamp would be the perfect one.
Just like in Saint Jean, they stamp the credential to 'prove' that you started there.
But its up to you. If you dont get a stamp in Roncesvalles, then you get your first stamp in the next place you sleep.

[BHinSanDiego]

Not sure if you are interested in starting in St Jean Pied du Port but there is a private company that can pick you up and take you there from Pamplona for 24 Euros. I contacted them and they are picking us up at the train station, it takes 2 or three hours to get there, I can't remember which but anyway it seemed at better option than a taxi. The company is Express Bourricot. www.expressbourricout.com. However one thing they can't do according to their webiste (insurance rules or something) is transport from one spanish town to another. We are traveling from Southern California on the 19th and 20th of May and will start our camino on the 22nd. Hope this info is helpful!
Barry
San Diego CA