Travel days

Planes, trains and automobile

Two planes, two trains and a one-hour taxi ride. It took us a couple of days to fit it all in. We spent overnight on the plane and really didn't sleep much at all so it really felt like a very long day. We made it all the way to St Jean Pied de Port all according to plan and were very happy about that. With this many legs, it would have taken very little to derail the whole thing.

First impression of Spain while on the train from Madrid to Pamplona is that, other than very close to Madrid and Pamplona, there is very few cars and almost no people. Remind me of one of the Stephen King stories.

We were very happy with the decision to take a taxi from Pamplona to St Jean. We grab three of the last few beds in the municipal albergue. We saw quite a few people still trying to find a bed when we came out from dinner (nice pilgrim meal in a French restaurant). That would have been us if we would wait for the bus that would have arrived much later.

The municipal albergue is basic and inexpensive. Good for one night with the expected disturbances with 10 in the room.

It is a good start.

Some reviews:

Toronto to JFK to Madrid: Delta is better than expected with good food and entertainment system

Madrid to Pamplona: Madrid airport to Madrid Atocha by Madrid Cercanias commuter train is very efficient, plus it is free with a purchased Renfe ticket. Trains are every 30 minutes with 26 minutes travel time, so you would have to budget the total transfer time. Madrid to Pamplona train is also efficient and punctual. 

Taxi is easy in Pamplona. Any one from the taxi parada would be willing to take you to St Jean. The fixed price of 100 euro is almost the same as taking the bus if you have four in the group. Still quite reasonable for a group of three like us.