[Gocamino] [saintjames] Re: Is there a consensus on easiest way to get from US to St. Jean?

Fri Jan 15 09:55:10 PST 2010

Of course, coming from other countries one must transfer in Madrid to the domestic flight going to Pamplona, or Santiago, or wherever in Spain, but it has been my experience that booking the flight directly through  Iberia personnel they usually provide the connection with no more than two hours in Madrid,  which  is just sufficient for going through passport control and what have you.  The new Barajas airport (which I don't particularly like) is pretty large and futuristic-looking and one has to take an inside train from the international terminal to the domestic one, and all sorts of elevators, or escalators, and those mechanical walkers, so that the two hours are just enough.  
In Pamplona, would-be pilgrims can go right after arrival  to one of the albergues and register there, and if they wish to go on to Roncesvalles to commence the pilgrimage they can take the fare-free Pilgrims Bus. (There is a similar arrangement that takes pilgrims from Jaca to Somport to commence the pilgrimage there. Would be pilgrims register at the Santiago church (not the Cathedral) that is located in one of the central streets. The church has a glass window with Santiago above the entrance, and those copper shells inserted in the cobbled streets lead one to it). 
In Pamplona there is a new albergue, I'm told, right by the bus station.
Hugs!

Rosina

-----Original Message-----
From: Sil <sillydoll at gmail.com>
To: saintjames at yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, Jan 15, 2010 12:20 pm
Subject: Re: [saintjames] Re: [Gocamino] Is there a consensus on easiest way to get from US to St. Jean?

Rosina - I am really interested in the 6:30pm fare free bus from Pamplona to
oncesvalles.  There has always been one at 6pm but there is a charge.
lying from South Africa to Pamplona involves a change at Madrid - and also
rom Santiago beack home, the flight goes via Madrid with a very long wait
s the flights leave at 00:30am.
il
2010/1/15 Rosina <Blaroli at aol.com>
>

 Myself, and everyone I know, think highly of the tremendous convenience of
 using Iberia on round-trip ticket from wherever USA to Pamplona returning
 from Santiago. First of all, the luggage directly tp the destination and the
 tickets are less expensive that going to Madrid, or whetever, first. Second,
 with Composetla in hand one can change the day of return without incurring
 the customary extra charges.
 There is a bus at the Pamplona airport that takes one, for a mere pittance,
 into the city and then there is the fare-free Pilgrim's bus that takes
 would-be pilgrims from Pamplona to Roncesvalles. The bus leaves the bus
 station (very centrally located), arrives at Roncesvalles at about 6:30 p.m.
 with ample time to get the credential, register for the albergue, etc., and
 attend the pilgrims Mass and benediction at 8:30 p.m. There are also plenty
 of taxis available there that would take pilgrims who want to cross the
 Pyrenees to SJPP for about 20 Dlls. or so.
 I, for one, cannot think of an easier or more efficient way.

 Hugs!

 Rosina

 -----Original Message-----
 From: Walt Lersch <welersch at acctgsys.com <welersch%40acctgsys.com>>
 To: 'Ralph Alcorn' <rbalcorn at gmail.com <rbalcorn%40gmail.com>>;
 gocamino at oakapple.net <gocamino%40oakapple.net>
 Sent: Fri, Jan 15, 2010 12:33 am
 Subject: Re: [Gocamino] Is there a consensus on easiest way to get from US
 to St. Jean?

 Ralph,
 Clearly, there is no consensus.
 In 2008 I did the trip from Portland, OR.
 Flew to Paris (landing in early AM). Took the Air France bus to the train
 tation and the high speed train to Bayonne (I recall) and the 'local' to
 JPD. Even made the short connection (ten minutes?) between trains.
 rrived in SJPD late afternoon, in time to get a bed in an alberque.
 Flew out of Bilbao (to Paris and on to Portland) for the return trip (the
 uggenheim was awesome!).
 I believe I made all of the transportation arrangements from the US via the
 nternet. I read/speak little Spanish or French.
 One cautionary note. I had to change my return flight. As it turns out the
 eturn flight I originally scheduled had not started yet, so working through
 hat was a real problem, but I did get it worked out.
 Buen Camino,
 Walt Lersch

 ----Original Message-----
 rom: gocamino-bounces at oakapple.net <gocamino-bounces%40oakapple.net>[mailto:
 gocamino-bounces at oakapple.net <gocamino-bounces%40oakapple.net>]
  n Behalf Of Ralph Alcorn
 ent: Thursday, January 14, 2010 5:51 PM
 o: gocamino at oakapple.net <gocamino%40oakapple.net>
 ubject: [Gocamino] Is there a consensus on easiest way to get from US to
 t. Jean?
 Someone asked me this recently. To me the easiest way would be to fly to
 aris, then train via Bayonne, staying over in Paris if necessary. But also,
 ne could fly to Madrid, bus or train to Pamplona and taxi to St. Jean,
 taying over in Madrid or Pamplona if necessary. Comments, other
 uggestions?
 --
 alph Alcorn

 ttp://www.backpack45.com/camino2.html
 ttp://timecheck00.blogspot.com
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-- 
il
ttp://amawalker.blogspot.com/
ww.2009pilgrims.blogspot.com
ww.vfpilgrims.blogspot.com
ww.csjofsa.org.za

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