How to get from madrid to St Jean de ..

[viclindal]

we are arriving in Madrid on the 14th of April 2010.
What are my options to get to the St. Jean de.. Starting point.
Much appreciate

Vic Lindal
Victoria BC

[Sil]

You can get to St Jean on the same day that you arrive in Madrid. There is a train from Madrid to Pamplona at 10h35 that gets in at 13h34. Costs ? 55 euro. (www.renfe.es)

You could also get an ALSA bus from Avenida de America bus station www.alsa.es There is one at 10h30 that gets you to Pamplona at 15h00 - costs 27.09 euro.

You could email Caroline at Express Buricott to arrange for a lift to St Jean from Pamplona. She carts pilgrims twice a day at about 11am and 4pm from the bus station. The cost depends on how many pilgrims are in her mini-bus but usually between 9 euro and 20 euro - which is very reasonable. apcaroline@hotmail.com

It would be worth booking a bed ahead at the albergue in St Jean as it fills up quickly and April is a very popular month. Contact Espirit du Chemin - hubertarno@espritduchemin.org, website www.espritduchemin.org.

If you intend walking the route Napoleon, you might want to consider booking a bed at Orisson - about 10km up the hill - so that you have a shorter first day. http://www.refuge-orisson.com/