DAlbertson

We are trying to decide which option makes most sense; train, plane or car to get ourselves from Barcelona up to the Basque region in June.
1) Train is 5 1/2 hours - maybe this is worthwhile if the scenery is good or at least interesting?
2) Plane is just over one hour and the Vueling airline is cheaper than the train. We're not familiar with Vueling - can anyone comment on using them? (for such a short flight we wouldn't care about leg room but safety matters!) Obviously this gives us more time once we arrive although the check-in, etc. adds to the hassle factor.
3) Driving would mean all day but cheaper for us and we'd be getting a car once we arrived anyway. But really the question is same as #1; is it worth it to give up the day to see the region from the road?

We'd sure appreciate any input from people who know the area or these routes!

Michael

Driving is probably not worthwhile. If driving the distance in one day it means using the most boring road available: the super highway.

Rastaguytoday

It looks like their closest airport is near San Sebastian, which means you'll still be in Spain.

There is a train situation getting to France that I sincerely could never unravel. I spent several hours on numerous websites trying to ferret it out, but finally gave up.

That led me to driving a car into the country. I went the reverse way, from France to Spain (San Sebastian) and return.

The drive is very pretty, especially if you go up into the Pyranees.

San Sebastian is a wonderful town, worth a visit by itself.

StCirq

Don't even contemplate driving if your plan is to leave the car in France - that will incur a hefty drop-off fee.

DAlbertson

Appreciate the insight - it sounds like driving a route that's scenic means more time then we have. Would love to explore around the Pyranees but have to make choices (and we're taking time to explore the Sarlat region after St. Jean).

Any comments on taking the train (if we can get the routing worked out) vs. Vueling? We planned to visit San Sebastian anyway so landing there is a plus. But if the train gives us a chance to see more of the country then it's a worthwhile trade off.

scubalou

We just did this trip by car in early May. We spent a few days in Barcelona and then rented a car and headed east. We first went to Torla in the Pyranees and then to San Sebatian. That trip took us on the northern route through the mountains. Interesting for sure but slow going on narrow winding roads. Took about 4 hours to Torla and another 4 to San Sebastian. From San Sebastian we took a day trip to St Jean de Luz, an easy half hour drive. Both SS and St Jean were fabulous. We drove from SS to Barcelona at the end of our trip. This time we took a more direct route via the highways. Great roads and an easy 5 1/2 hour drive. But, as someone else noted, pretty boring. As to cost, you need to factor in that virtually all of the highways are toll roads and the tolls are substantial. It cost approx $70 in tolls to travel the 250 miles from SS to Barcelona. That's about the same as train fare for one. Then you need to factor in fuel at about $7 per gallon.

As noted SS and St Jean are very close. I would not be at all surprised if there is bus service between the two but I wouldn't know where to tell you to look.