Biarritz to San Sebastian?
 

I'm sure this has been asked before, so apologies, but does anyone know the best wat to do this trip? We're arriving in Biarritz at 2.50pm, and as far as I know the suggested route is taxi into Biarritz, train to Hendaye, train to San Sebatian, taxi to hotel - which seems like a bit of a schlep!

WOuld it be practical to do the whole thing by cab? It's only about 50km. Any idea what the cost might be?

I've done it by train. I changed in Irun. It was a two hour wait for a connection. The station had a fair complement of gypsies and beggars.

In San Sebastian, a beautiful city, I had one of my best and one of my worst meals in all of Europe. The best was at Belartxo Jatetxea where I had an excellent fish called nerluza koxkera. The worst was at Hotel Londres. This was years ago.

The taxi is probably feasible if he is allowed to cross the border. Maybe he can take you to the border and catch a Spanish cab to San Sebastian. For a trip like this the fare should be negotiable. I once negotiated an inter-city fare in Spain and got a great deal. Get the cabbie to write down the amount, or you do it, so there is no problem when you get out.

Cheers Hopscotch - I would imagine that crossing the border won't be an issue if he's an EU national. Great advice re getting written quote though. Have since found a page that mentions 60 euro as a reasonable fare.

We've got a reservation at Arzak on Friday - really excited as it's supposed ot be fantastic.

There are now no border controls between France and Spain, so a French taxi can go into Spain or vice versa. By train, there are two options as there are two lines from the border to San Sebastian. Most French trains terminate at Irun (the first station in Spain) from where local Spanish trains ("cercanias") run every half hour along the main line to San Sebastian. Alternatively, from Hendaye, the last station in France, a narrow gauge line leaves from outside the main station and also goes every half hour to San Sebastian. The two lines have separate stations in San Sebastian, about a mile apart.

Hi Amethyst, I also need information for this route next year. Is there a local bus that does this journey?

topping for help!

It's very doubtful that there is regular bus service Biarritz-San Sebastian but probably in season some kind of bus tour. Otherwise best way besides taxi is to train from Biarritz to Hendaye, the last station in France, from where the tram-like train described above takes you to San Sebastian, interestingly passing through several neat Basque towns. Mainline connections are spotty if you go onto the Irun station, first in Spain as from here there are only sporadic trains to St. Sebastian-Donostia (Donostia is Basque name for San Sebastian, so don't be confused by local schedules just saying Donostia as the Spanish San Sebastian is frowned upon by Basques). There can be 4-5 hours between trains at Irun-St Sebastian so know your schedules if going that route. Best bet take the light rail train Hendaye-San Sebastian.

You might also want to check into renting a car. We did this last July and drove from SS to France.

And btw Amethyst- my husband and I had a KILLER meal at Arzak. We have the menu in our dining room and rave about it constantly! report back!

Amethyst24,
Yes, there is regular bus service between Biarritz and San Sebastian-Donostia (http://www.touradour.com/towns/bus.htm). I take it you'll be arriving at the airport in Biarritz, which is next to the highway, the A63/E5. The trip into San Sebastian takes less then twenty minutes, depending on which hotel you're staying at. This is a very popular route. Both the taxi and the bus serve the airport and make regular runs into San Sebastian.

If you want to same time and energy, then arrange for a private transfer to your hotel. You can contact Totally Spain or Basque Country Travels to make arrangements.

I invite you to check out the following web pages for information on San Sebastian & Biarritz. Also, don't forget to download a free copy of Maribel’s Guide to the Basque Country. It'll come in handy.
(http://maribelsguides.com)

http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/ingles/indexi.htm
http://www.donostia.org/home.nsf/preHome?ReadForm
http://www3.gipuzkoa.net/turismo/ingles/index.asp
http://www.biarritz.aeroport.fr/indexen.html
http://www.tourisme.fr/biarritz/

If you need anything else, let me know.

Agur....