I would like help deciding the best route by PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION from Spain to French Border. I have been working on itinerary but so far nothing booked for early September . I want to make one or two stops enroute to be able to walk short distances on Camino just to enjoy the experience and then continue by train or bus making overnight stop(s).
If I leave Santiago for overnight in Astorga near Leon; continue to Burgos for brief stop, and then to Pamplona, is this a scenic route and good choice? Is San Sebastian closest point for connection with French trains? MIght like to to spend some hours at St. John deLuz if I have enough time, continuing for overnight in Lourdes. I would like to book train for bus tickets online but so far not sure if my plan is best choice.
Have traveled on SNCF many times but not sure if that service runs from Spain or if I can order multiple tickets on Renfe online?
Is it possible to buy a multiride rail or bus ticket that might cover all or most of above travel?
If there is a late evening bus or train covering part of this journey I might avail of that service to save time.
If the above is not best route, I might travel along coastal route and if so, need some help deciding overnight stop(s). Looking forward to receiving some assistance. Thank you.
Travel from Sanitago de Compostela to French Border
Recent Activity
View all Europe activity »
- 1 tickets- Cap du Roig festival, Palafrugell, Spain
- 2 Suggestions for France Italy
- 3 The Netherlands, France and Spain
- 4 Find ER, hospital, or clinic in Latin quarter, Paris
- 5 Provence & Cote d'Azur in late September...and the planning begins!
- 6 Torun and Zamosc similar?
- 7 Netherland -> belgium -> Germany (Rhine Valley)
- 8 Good Base for Costa Brava Spain
- 9 Wife's first trip to Europe. Set on Paris & Rome, Need 3rd destination?
- 10 Florence Day Trip to Sienna: should we stop along the way? Where?
- 11 First Timer - Itinerary Help - Europe tour for 22 days
- 12 rand versus euro
- 13
Paris May 23, 2013. What should I wear in Paris?
- 14 Need restaurant suggestions for Chipping Camden!
- 15 Please, assure me that Turkey is safe...
- 16 Rhine River Intinerary
- 17 Amsterdam to Chamonix road trip
- 18 Help needed with ratp site for Paris bus and metro
- 19 Visa to TURKEY
- 20 Car Rental recommendations (Heathrow and Gatwick) ?
- 21 any recommended guides for Krakow area?
- 22 Rome, Florence, Sorrento in 1 week
- 23 A few questions about the Amalfi Coast (in May)
- 24 Motor Home North Italy Route Suggestions
- 25 Northern Italy
Look at Irun,and Hondarribia Spain for connections to France
Thanks for response; there trains to Irun that connect with French line so that might work. I did not find any transport taking coastal route going towards Biarritz/ Bayonne but will keep watching the forums and might get more suggestions. Appreciate your help.
There are numerous public transportation options along the coastal route. This site lists a couple:
http://www.saint-jean-de-luz.co.uk/practical-information/local-transport,2,2,175.php
But all you have to do is google, e.g., St-Jean-de-Luz public transport or Hendaye public transport or Biarritz or Ciboure or San Sebastian or Bayonne and so forth.
Is it possible to buy a multiride rail or bus ticket that might cover all or most of above travel>
not to my knowledge - buy in segments online or as you go along though if you want to lock yourself in weeks in advance you may save some money with discounted tickets that however are sold in limited numbers and not on all trains always and typically cannot be changed nor refunded.
It sounds like you will be taking relatively short train trips so you may want to buy those as you go along - giving you flexibility to decide which trains to take once there and not lock yourself into concrete weeks in advance.
And there is a Spain-France railpass if you are traveling elsewhere in those two countries by rail and the pass can be used on any train though you do need to make mandated seat reservations on many trains in both countries.
For lots of great info on Spanish and French and European trains in general I always spotlight these IMO superb sites -
http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id30.html and www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com. Check www.renfe.com - Spanish railways web site and www.voyages-sncf.com - French Railways web site for schedules and fares and online discounts.
Wanted to thank all who responded with some excellent advice. I may consider going by train or ALSA (bus) from Santiago to Burgos where I will walk some of the trail and stay overnight then begin early next morning enroute to Pamplona for several hours to enjoy some sightseeing and walking, continue late evening on SNCF to Irun and Biarritz. Will look up schedules and prices but think I'll purchase my tickets in Euorpe which will give me more flexibility in case I need more time. Will send update when I have my plan finalized. Many thanks.
If doing much train travel in France then by all means look at the France-Spain railpass if as you say you require flexibility - the pass stands up very nicely vs fully flesible full fare tickets that you will have to buy usually as you go along. Can be used on any train - in Spain 10 euros supplement on some but not short haul trains always and 3 euros in France on TGV trains but none on many non-TGV trains. Pass cannot be bought TMK in either country as locals cannot use it.
Also, there is a small ferry that crosses the river between Hondarribia, Spain and Hendaye, France.