How to Get to the Camino de Santiago

It's a common question.
Particularly if you are travelling to the Camino from outside Europe.
Here are 3 ways I get to the Camino Frances.
Express Bourricot : www.expressbourricot.com/fr/
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🙋 Ask Questions
I love to talk and share about all aspects of the Camino!
And hear your tips too!
TIMESTAMPS (in case you want to skip) 👇
0:00 Intro
TO GO TO SAINT-JEAN
2:18 Madrid route
2:52 Paris route
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET ON THE TRAIN?
5:50 Paris Route
8:05 Express Bourricot
10:35 Madrid Route
11:42 Summary
12:08 Outro
⚡ Camino de Santiago Blog ⚡
For more details about each journey you can visit the detailed blogs at robscamino.com/
It includes daily videos, blogs and photos.
#caminodesantiago #caminovideo

[@robscamino]

My APOLOGIES for this Video 🙄, I was very conscious on this one that I was starting to sound like a rambling old man. 🙂 I asked my editor to try speeding it up a bit. It was obviously not a good idea! 🙁 it distorted the sound for a start. We looked at replacing it, but that is proving difficult. Wont happen again folks! Next week it's back to RAW 'rambling Rob' 🙂

[@tmrwic]

This is really helpful, Bob. Thanks very much 😀

[@robscamino]

Glad it was helpful! Feel free to ask any questions.

[@grantlong5540]

Thanks Rob. We’ve just got back from finishing the Camino Frances. We flew to Madrid from Sydney via Dubai. We had a night in Madrid then caught the train to Pamplona (a little over 3 hours), then taxi to SJPDP as there was only 1 bus and it left before the train arrived. We shared taxi costs with some Americans we met via Ivar’s forum. €130 for a taxi, €35 for the train. From Santiago we caught the train to Madrid €65 and about 3 hours. I spoke to other pilgrims and getting out of Santiago proved difficult, so book ahead! Having been to Paris one several occasions, if you struggle with big cities, I’d recommend Madrid. It’s a beautiful city & very easy to get around. The airport is quite small, getting in & out, even with COVID protocols, was fast & easy. Buen Camino

[@robscamino]

Thanks for the up to date information Grant. Was that your first Camino or are you a 'repeat offender' 🙂

[@isabelcastillo2394]

Hi Rob, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE GREAT INFORMATION. This video was extremely helpful. Planning on a trip in mid-April 2024,

[@robscamino]

Glad it was useful. Buen Camino!

[@bethsola2617]

Thanks Rob, your videos are always very informative, and you’re my go to place for Camino info!

[@robscamino]

Glad they are helpful. Feel free to request other video topic and if I can, I'll do them.

[@garybarry4446]

Excellent content very helpful as we plan our first Camino in 2024

[@robscamino]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dontetzlaff3914]

Thanks Rob, this is very helpful for our planning and were debating whether to fly into Paris or Madrid from Canada.

[@robscamino]

Lots of options 🙂

[@rometimed1382]

I am on Camino here in Roncesvalles. I flew to Paris then Biarritz then walked from Bayonne to St Jean pdp on the Voie de la Nive over 3 days

[@robscamino]

What a nice way to start. 🙂

[@heather333]

From the UK, get a ferry from Portsmouth on the south coast to Bilbao on the north- east coast of Spain. Then a coach or taxi to Roncesvalles or St Jean Pied de Port (both about 2 hours 50 mins).

[@robscamino]

Sounds like a great way to start a Camino adventure! 🙂

[@shaunminehan]

TGV - Train Grand Vitesse! Anyway I fly to Madrid next week. Camino number 3 . Camino de Madrid to Sahagun. Not sure I can stand crowds from there. Maybe walk to Leon then Camino Sam Salvador. Who knows !

[@robscamino]

TGV. So I guessed right, though the pronunciation was bad! Have a great Camino. The CF I hear is very busy right now. Maybe cut across to the Sanabres or Invierno?

[@shaunminehan]

@@robscamino yes i read the Frances is absolutely mad busy. Has no appeal really Rob. So unpleasant worrying about beds. Thanks for the ideas - if I like Madrid might go back and walk it twice or something as mad as that sounds.

[@samuelpdavidson]

That was brilliantly useful! Thank you Rob. I’m a fellow Australian about to do my first Camino. I just arrived in Paris for the next 5 days and hadn’t even looked at how to get down south. I’ll be catching the fast train because of your wisdom! Thanks man! Where in Australia do you live? I’m in Newcastle.

[@robscamino]

Sydney. Check the timetables, but you should be able to get the TGV to Bayonne, and a connecting local train to St Jean. If the train is not running there may be a bus. Or plan C. book a seat with Express Bourricot.

[@TheWoodworkExperience]

Amazing! Thank you so much for the help. Your channel really has been super useful for this disorganised soul.

[@robscamino]

Glad it helps!

[@kaylenepook4898]

Hey Rob, really been enjoying your videos. My hubby and I are heading over from Aus to do our first Camino at the beginning of September. We are flying in to Paris and then planning on getting the TGV to Bayonne. We are spending a couple of days there before heading to St Jean. My question is do you recommend buying a ticket for the TGV before we leave Aus or suggest that we won’t have any issues getting seats. We have decided not to stay in Paris, only due to having been there quite a few times. My worry is the current issues people seem to be having with flight delays etc if we pre purchase our tickets and our flight gets delayed we miss our scheduled train 😩 any tips would be great. Thanks heaps Kay

[@robscamino]

Tough call, and I'm a few years out of date (pre Covid). Booking the TGV online allowed us to pick our seats etc, rather than just get what was left. I suppose that's one benefit. If it were me? I'd pre-book and take the chance. The tickets are not 'that' expensive if I had to buy more due to delays. I'm sure a couple of days in Bayonne/Biarritz would be a nice way to get over the jet lag though.

[@Test-uj6nh]

Sydney sider here planning first Camino (Frances). Flying out 1 August hopefully. Travel agent tells me Dubai- Nice maybe another option Instead of Paris. Thanks for sharing…

[@robscamino]

Interesting option. Looking at Rome2Rio site. you could then get a 90 min flight to Biarritz, or a 13 hr train journey...... Looks like it's a bit of a Cross Country route.

[@julianlord5366]

Well, basically the start of my Camino is my front door. Nevertheless ... : You have forgotten the Night Train from Paris to Pau or Lourdes, though that's hardly surprising given that it has been reinstated since after the last time you were up here. Though you don't arrive early enough to be able to start same day, whereas with the old Night Train routes it was possible to do so. Supposedly it will eventually be restored to its original route via Bordeaux and Bayonne eventually, but that hasn't happened yet.

[@robscamino]

Sounds like another great option! If only I could start from my front door

[@owenbull9606]

Thanks Rob, very helpful. I suspect the second question would be how you would get home. Last time we flew to Madrid because we had a return ticket from here. If you were to go to Worlds End, are you aware if there major transport here? And would you fly out of a different city or go back to Paris and how did you do this? What is your favourite option when you do the Camino?

[@robscamino]

In the past I basically reversed the process. i.e. Flew from Santiago back to Paris or Madrid. If you walked on to Finisterre (End of the Earth) or Muxia, they are very small places. But they have a Bus service back to Santiago. On my first Camino, my legs gave out by the time I reached Santiago, but I bused to Muxia and back for a day trip. Funny, but every time I reach Santiago, my legs 'give up', like they know it's time to go home LOL. Next time I might bypass Santiago or just walk right on through it......

[@owenbull9606]

Thanks mate. I have Covid at the moment so in isolation so hence I’m just scrolling all KZbin videos related the entire time my eyes are open. I think that tells you how much I’m missing it and just not sure if I can withstand the wait till April next year. Your videos are very informative and I think I have watched most of them. Thank you 🙏

[@robscamino]

Get well soon!

[@bethjay5225]

@@owenbull9606 My situation as well!

[@kennythekiwi9388]

Hi, I'm more interested in luggage. Do you go to Paris with only the gear you are taking on the camino. I would want to stay in Europe a bit longer so I would have more luggage and would need to store it and return for it or I would need to forward my extra luggage some way and then collect it. Your thoughts? Thanks

[@robscamino]

'Normally' I only take my Camino gear. And if travelling pre or post Camino I just use that. If the 'Boss' is with me, we take additional 'regular' travelling gear, so we don't have to hang out in Camino stuff. We use this bag, as it's easy to wheel around, and can actually be used as a backpack over rough terrain. www.osprey.com/au/en/product/sojourn-reg-60l-25-SOJOURN25_561.html A bit 'over the top' but it's a really nice bag. We send that ahead. So from St Jean, we used Express Bourricott to send the bag to Santiago. You just pick it up from an Albergue there. www.expressbourricot.com/fr/tranport-bagages/ The EB office used to be a couple of doors down from the Pilgrim's office in St Jean. There are other options, using regular mail sr5vices I guess, but mailing from France to Spain might require additional paperwork etc. Another option would be to use a daily luggage service till you get to Pamplona, and then take your stuff to the Post Office and mail it to Santiago to be held for you. I haven't tried that but the website might have details. www.correos.es/ I have mailed stuff to a private luggage store in Santiago, and that worked well. These sites might help. www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/en/luggage-storage . I have used this one. Check if it is still operating though.www.casaivar.com/luggage-storage-in-santiago-de-compostela/

[@robscamino]

How do you plan to get to your Camino? Or how have you in the past?

[@-MacCat-]

Thanks Rob for yet another useful video. And yes, I checked that I hadn't sped up the playback by accident 🤣 Has anyone out there in "robscaminoland" traveled from Santiago de Compostella to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port by public transport and then walked back? I ask as we were considering it. Why? We would like to leave some larger luggage in Santiago de Compostella for future long term travel somewhere and would pick it back up at the end of the walk. Any feed back is appreciated.

[@robscamino]

Hi Mac. Yes that's quite a common thing to do. Leave luggage at Santiago for post Camino travel. But go there to drop it off? Never heard of anyone doing that. It's quite a journey. www.rome2rio.com/map/Santiago-de-Compostela/Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port Looks like a full day of travel and costs 50-100+ Euro each.

[@robscamino]

The 'usual' approach, is to go to St Jean and send the bag from there to Santiago! You could use a regular mail service, though because it's an International postage (France to Spain) I think that complicates things. You would need to check. I know others, who had luggage transported each day by the luggage transfer services (little minivans) and then when they got to Pamplona they mailed stuff to Santiago. I have done that. www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/en/transfer-luggage I have also used the Express Bourricot service. They pick up in St Jean and take to Santiago for you. It gets stored at a Hotel there. www.expressbourricot.com/fr/tranport-bagages/ A great service. (e70)

[@-MacCat-]

@@robscamino We're considering it because we're not in a hurry, it would be a different twist to the way it's "normally" (even though many would not define anything associated with walking that distance as remotely normal) done and scouting, of sorts, the terrain before walking it could be helpful in the mental prep. Plus, no-one ever accused me of being normal and it's too late for me to attempt to be so.

[@robscamino]

@Mac Cat Then go for it 🙂

[@bethjay5225]

I was just researching this very question yesterday and found Rome2Rio site you feature in your video. I would be flying from Vancouver, Canada. I can fly non-stop to Paris, but not Madrid. Which city is cheaper to stay for a few days? Paris or Madrid? I was also wondering about flying to London, then flying to Biarritz. Is it worth staying there vs. Paris cost wise?

[@robscamino]

I'm not sure it's really just a question of cost Beth. The costs of each City are probably similar. If I was just transiting through the City, maybe Paris or London would suit you best, but it will like come down to flight costs and availability. For me though, it's about taking a day or two to take in some sights and experience a new place, before starting my Camino. So of the three places, and purely based on my own interests....... history, food, architecture........ I would rank them as #1 Paris, #2 London #3 Madrid. I just love Paris! Central Paris inside the Périphérique (ring road) is like walking through living history or a Museum. If staying there aim to be near the centre or not far from it. the centre Hotels can be very expensive. I found Montparnasse a good compromise. Just walking around Paris is a joy. The wonderful old buildings, street cafes. You feel like you're on a Movie set. I guess I like Paris LOL. Been there a few times, last time 2018. London? I'm from the UK. but haven't been in London for.......8 years. It has some great sites. The tower, Buck House etc. But the centre is quite a modern city compared to Paris. Or at least it seems more so. A great place to visit though. Madrid? I really liked. But the old part of the city seems quite small and doesn't appeal to me as much. Still a great place to visit of course. but if I have to rank them. It would be #3. Was last there 2016.

[@robscamino]

Something to consider of course, is that the Airports for major cities like these are well out of town. London has 5. Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and City. Most International flights will use Heathrow and Gatwick, both about an hour from the centre. A lot of discount airlines use Stanstead I think. Paris I think has 2. Charles de Gaulle and Orly. About an hour from the City. Madrid I think has 2. Both a bit closer to the city. maybe 30 minutes. As with most places, Hotels near the Airport for those just transiting through, can be expensive. In the Cities, totally depends on your preferences and budget. Some research on Booking.com will give you an idea of Hotel costs

[@eduardomg4066]

@@robscaminoYou didn’t find the old part of Madrid appealing? Well, it’s the Madrid of the Austrias and it’s the loveliest part of it because it’s related not only to the history of the country but to all the great writers of the Spanish language who lived there like Cervantes, Lope, Quevedo. Yes, Madrid is not spectacular but it was its charm and one has to find it. I was there last weekend and the more I visit the Madrid of the Austrias the more I enjoy it but of course… there are cultural barriers to overcome. Greetings.

[@robscamino]

@@eduardomg4066 i like Madrid alot!

[@romonaedmund8620]

Hi Rob I NEED YOUR HELP PLEASE. I have been following you and I'm a Subscriber. I'm doing the Camino in May 2024 . I'm arriving in Paris Gare de Nord and I'm trying to make my way to SJPDP and tried Rome2rio and other searches and I'm NOT getting a Train to SJPDP pleeeeeease I need your help what should I do?😒🥺🥺🥺

[@robscamino]

You should look for a train from Paris to Bayonne. A TGV (fast train). From Bayonne a 'local' train takes you to St Jean. You may find that the TGV leaves from Gare Montparnasse, www.rome2rio.com/map/Paris/Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

[@owenbull9606]

Hi Rob, do you take your backpack on as carry on or check it in when flying from Australia? I suspect as carry on you would have to consider the weight not just for walking but also if taking it on as carry on luggage?

[@robscamino]

Yes, I always take my pack as carry on. As the items in it would be hard to replace. And I wear my hiking gear obviously. I'm careful to check the weight and dimensions for carry on luggage with any of the airlines I'm travelling with. I do 'check-in' a mailing tube. this has my poles, liquids, pocket knife etc.

[@owenbull9606]

Great idea about the pocket knife. I was going to buy new poles once there as last time I bought the wooden poles that had been hand made by locals, well hopefully. I don’t see any difference in the fancy light hiking poles to those wooden ones that pose any difficulties and thought I would be helping out the local economy in a small way. I then buy a tube to bring them home but just don’t take them with me so one less thing to worry about while traveling to the Camino 😁👍. Yep weight and size is always a concern but definitely makes it easier if in hand luggage, thanks

[@robobyrne4848]

@@owenbull9606 But hiking poles and those wooden poles (staffs) are very different things!

[@owenbull9606]

@@robobyrne4848 yes you are totally correct 👍

[@othereyesediting6783]

Don't recall you ever mentioning that most albergues and a lot of the restaurants do not accept credit cards. How does one avoid being robbed if you have to have cash for everything, and few will give back the change?

[@robscamino]

It's true many Albergues only take cash, particularly the small ones and donativos. So you need a carry enough cash for 3-4 days on you. "Few will give back the change"? Not sure where that idea comes from? You just need to be careful with your cash (and phone, passport) and take 'normal' precautions. (1) never leave these out of sight, even in the shower, (2) Only have cash for the day ready to use, with extra case hidden (3) Don't flash lots of cash when at the ATM. That kind of thing. Robberies can occur, but to balance that, I don't know of anyone who was robbed.

[@othereyesediting6783]

@@robscamino One young Irish lad who recently posted to KZbin found himself with no cash, and his "change" was not returned to him. Most diners might say Keep the Change when it's coins only -- I would think. Husband watched this one without me, so I do not have details, but Husband was gobsmacked at the idea of not being able to use a credit card. Since you, Jeremiah the Camino Guide, and Joe Flores all seemed to not have an issue, Husband accosted me to ask if I knew about the Cash Only policy, and of course, it was the first *I* had heard of it. Thank you for allaying his fears.

[@robscamino]

@@othereyesediting6783 I wouldn't worry about one example of someone not getting their change. Mistakes and misunderstandings can happen anywhere. Are you from the US? Here in Australia we use cards for everything too. But you have to remember, on Camino, you are walking through mainly rural areas. Small towns and villages. Many if not most of the businesses you interact with are very small businesses. Many won't want the added expense and tech required to process credit / debit cards. I always 'assume' I'll need to pay in cash. And any opportunity I have to pay by card, I do. This preserves my cash. Which card to use is a whole other debate! Some people have accounts that don't charge for currency conversion or overseas withdrawals. (US Pilgrims I think). I now use a Euro account set up by my Australian bank. So I save up for my Camino in there, already in Euros. So no currency conversion fee when I use the card. What's that great saying? "Trust in God but tether your Camel" i.e. Have multiple ways of paying for things. So I carry cash, a credit card, and a debit/ATM card. Cash is day to day. Debit card whenever I can use it. Credit card for emergencies. Feel free to ask any other questions 🙂

[@robscamino]

"Husband was gobsmacked at the idea of not being able to use a credit card" Love that comment. First World problem huh? 🙂

[@AccumbensNucleus]

If you are this distrustful and paranoid, maybe the Camino is not for you.

[@eduardomg4066]

The thing is… who said people have to start the Camino in Saint Jean de Pied de Port or who said it’s mandatory to complicate people’s existence to get there? Why? Why? I live in Pamplona and I have encountered all sorts of pilgers many of them with no idea at all of where they are heading to, nor where they are actually in… These days I have noticed that two buses loaded with pilgers leave towards Saint Jean everyday so I guess that might look like a Highway… This has become totally crazy and out of hand. The first “etapa” is terrible and people have to climb across a very steep walk through the Pyrenees which not everyone can do it specially if you’re overweight and under a heat wave. Then they arrived in Pamplona completely upside down and go to the nearest Travel Agency to get a flight home. Did they fail? No, it’s not a matter of failing or succeeding. Anyway, I just see everyday on my way to work a bunch of people rushing from one place to another and they do not seem to stop, learn, relax, experience or learn from the surroundings because that takes TIME! Sorry but I think this has become just a modern attraction and it’s not nice. Greetings from Pamplona

[@robscamino]

I agree. Starting in St Jean is a modern idea only. But I think peope are attracted by the idea of crossing a mountain range ....

[@eduardomg4066]

@@robscamino Are people aware how does it look like? Pilgers here arrive in summer clothes and flip flops in the middle of the winter or they get lost in the snow… Today another bus loaded with pilgers set off for Saint Jean de Pied de Port. Lovely! It’s the only connection we have with France that takes us nowhere… Roncesvalles is a magical place full of significance history where you can visit at least one unique building like the Silo de Carlomagno… but all these crowds where are they going? To Highway to Heaven? It’s just crazy. I wouldn’t do it but I already live here. Greetings from Pamplona.