Pamplona to St jean

[pieter pannevis]

This information comes from the files of another group:

Do you have your ticket ready or you can change it? If it wasn't enough, I
will come to you with a third suggestion, more direct and faster than yours.
You will be flying a long way already.
Take a plane to Madrid, then a connection to Pamplona. It is the closer
airport to Saint Jean Pied de Port. From Pamplona, you have 3 alternatives:
+ take a cab straight to Saint Jean. It's a 70km, 1:30h ride. You can call
when you reach Madrid to negotiate the price and be sure it'll be possible
to do it. Here are some phone numbers:
Mr. Pedro Telechea
              . (948) 76 00 07
               . 929 87 81 81 (cellular)
Don't pay more than:
                Pamplona - Roncesvalles US$ 35,00
                Pamplona - Saint Jean US$ 56,00
                Roncesvalles - Saint Jean US$ 25,00
There are other phone numbers you can call if Mr. Pedro is busy, from cities
nearby:
               948 79 02 18 (from Valcarlos)
               948 76 40 53 (from Garaioa)
               948 76 40 58 (from Garralda)
Always ask for the price before, and don't be ashamed to bargain. If you
don't reach any of the people before, you still can get there and talk to
one of the many cab drivers. There should be no problem.
+ Take the bus, either from Madrid or from Pamplona, to Roncesvalles, and
from there to Saint Jean the only alternative is to take a taxi.
+ Take the train, either from Madrid or from Pamplona, to saint Jean. The
route is described on Katia's mail.
 From the airport to the city of Pamplona, there is no other alternative than
a cab.
Of course getting a cab directly to Saint Jean or Roncesvalles is more
costly, but also more comfortable. You can spot the pilgrims on the airport
by their clothes and backpacks, and then offer to share the cab. They take
up to 4 people.

                                      1st.  Fly to Madrid followed by a very
efficient European Train to Pamplona. In Pamplona you will find a bus that
leaves hourly to Roncesvalles. Once you are in Roncesvalles, hire a cab to
take you to St. Jean Pier de port.
This is not a bad route, but if you are taking the train, I would go by
train all the way to Saint Jean. It is a lovely sightseeing.
 OR
2nd.  Fly to Paris, catch the train to Bayonne and, once in Bayonne, take a
local train to St. Jean pied de port. The train from Bayonne to St. pied de
port leaves every half hour, but end their service at 10:00 PM.
It might be difficult to find a room or bed if you arrive late in the
evening, so it at all possible try to arrive during the day. This will also
provide ample time to absorb the local Ambiance, obtain your Pilgrim's
passport and locate the beginning of the Camino.
This seems more expensive to me, but you won't have to change from one
composition to the other as often. It is a longer trip, though. If I arrived
in Paris, I would get down and stay there for at least 2 days before leaving
to Saint Jean. Paris is lovely and is worth the visit!! Their International
Hostel, "Le Petit Prince", is a very good one.
Getting to Saint Jean earlier is surely nicer. You should look for the
French Association of the Camino; they will stamp your credential, provide
you with one if you don't have it already, and tell you about the best
places to stay. They are in the Rue de la Citadele, next to where the late
Mme. Debrill used to receive the pilgrims. Now there's another lady that
continues with her work, but I don't know if she tells about the cheaper
places. Saint Jean is an expensive city.
Mind that you will have to buy all your supplies for the next day's hike
over the Pyrenees the day before, for you won't find a place to do it in the
morning. I would buy it even before getting to Saint Jean, in Pamplona or in
Paris.
The accommodation in St Jean is plenty Just get to the “traitteur” on the
road to Arneguy and get some food before the crossing and “the morning
after
.”
Just see:
www.caminhodesantiago.com
 and click for the lefthandside: hospedagem. There you get a list for all
the hotels and hostels!
the monasterio in Roncevalles is open from 16:00h CET.
Have a good trip and above all a good Camino
As Always !
Ultreya  from:
Pieter and Trigo from Holland