How to get to the beginning of your Camino.
By air, train, bus, car, and on foot — here are clear, practical options for reaching Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (France) to begin the Camino Francés from both France and Spain.
Major arrival hubs and route choices when starting the Camino de Santiago depend on which Camino you plan to walk. Below are practical flight and transport options organized by the most common routes: Camino Francés, Camino Portugués, Camino del Norte, Camino Primitivo, and Camino Inglés. Each section covers best airports, nearest train or bus connections, and tips for luggage, timing, and airport transfers.
LET’S FLY!
Camino Francés (most popular)
Best airports:
Madrid (MAD): Most flight options from the U.S. and worldwide. Frequent high-speed trains (AVE) and other services to Burgos, León, Pamplona, and Sarria. Sarria is a common starting point for the final 100 km to Santiago.
Barcelona (BCN): Good international connections; trains to Zaragoza, Lleida, and then onward by regional services to Pamplona and Logroño, though often slower than Madrid.
Bilbao (BIO): Closer to the Rioja/Logroño section; regional trains and buses to Logroño or Burgos. Useful if combining northern Spain travel.
Lourdes/Tarbes–Pau–Lescar (LDE) or Biarritz (BIQ): Convenient for pilgrims starting near Roncesvalles or St-Jean-Pied-de-Port; connect by train/bus to Bayonne or Saint-Jean-de-Luz then local transport to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
Transfer tips:
From Madrid to Sarria/León/Burgos, use RENFE high-speed and regional trains. Book AVE tickets in advance for best fares.
From Bilbao or Biarritz, use regional buses or trains; connections may require a transfer in San Sebastián or Bayonne.
Luggage:
Many pilgrims fly into Madrid and use a luggage transfer service to send bags ahead to their first albergue/hostel. Alternatively, bring a lightweight pack and take public transport to a rural starting point.
Timing:
Arriving in Madrid allows flexibility and many same-day rail options, but factor in travel time to the Camino start.
Camino Portugués (Central/Northern Portuguese route or Coastal)
Best airports:
Porto (OPO): Closest major airport for the Portuguese route. Trains and buses connect easily to Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima, Barcelos, and Coimbra. Many pilgrims start in Porto or Valença/Tui (border towns).
Lisbon (LIS): More international flights; take a train to Porto (2.5–3 hours) or to Coimbra; buses also available. Good option if you want to see Lisbon before the walk.
Santiago de Compostela (SCQ): If you prefer to fly directly to Santiago and walk a few days in reverse for practice, SCQ is available but not useful for a standard start.
Transfer tips:
From Porto, take the suburban train (Linha do Minho) north to Valença/Tui for a short crossing into Spain, or stay in Porto and start the coastal or central route.
Luggage:
Porto-based luggage forwarders are common. If flying into Lisbon, consider a same-day train to Porto to avoid an additional overnight stop.
Camino del Norte (coastal northern Spain)
Best airports:
Bilbao (BIO): Primary choice for the Basque/Cantabrian sections. Good train/bus connections east and west along the northern coast.
Santander (SDR): Convenient for stages around Santander and eastern Cantabria.
Gijón/Asturias (OVD): Useful for central/northern Asturias sections and the route toward Oviedo and onward to Lugo/León.
Santiago (SCQ): Feasible if you plan a short coastal approach ending at Santiago, but often better to start from Bilbao or Santander.
Transfer tips:
Coastal routes often require multiple regional trains/buses; schedules can be less frequent than inland routes, so check timetables and reserve early in high season.
Luggage:
Fewer luggage-forwarding companies along the Norte than on the Francés, so be prepared to carry more or arrange private transfers.
Camino Primitivo (Oviedo to Lugo)
Best airports:
Oviedo/Asturias (OVD): Closest for starting in Oviedo. From Oviedo, buses or short trains connect to the trailhead.
Santiago (SCQ) or Leon (from Madrid/León via train): Options if you want to approach from the west or east; both require more ground travel.
Transfer tips:
The Primitivo is hillier and more remote—plan transport and accommodations in advance, and confirm bus schedules connecting towns like Tineo and Lugo.
Luggage:
Limited baggageFrom France
USING TRAINS TO GET AROUND
From Paris: High-speed TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Bayonne or Bordeaux (travel time ~4–5 hours to Bordeaux, ~5–6 to Bayonne), then regional TER to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port via a transfer (Bayonne to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is ~1.5–2 hours). Expect a total journey of ~6–8 hours depending on connections. Book TGV in advance for best fares; TER can be purchased locally or online.
From Bordeaux: Direct TER or SNCF regional connections to Bayonne, then TER to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Total ~3.5–5 hours.
From Bayonne: TER Bayonne → Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is the main rail link (single-line Pyrénées-Atlantiques). Schedules are limited, especially on Sundays and public holidays; check timetables in advance.
Practical notes: The rail option is comfortable and avoids mountain driving. Trains are generally reliable, but last-mile TER service can have few daily departures in low season.
By bus / coach
National and regional coaches operate from cities like Biarritz, Bayonne, and sometimes Bordeaux. Private shuttle services oriented to pilgrims run seasonally from major hubs (Biarritz airport, Bayonne, Pamplona).
Bus is often the most direct option from airports lacking rail links and can be cheaper than trains. Frequency varies; book ahead in high season.
By air (to nearby airports)
Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (BIQ): Closest commercial airport (approx. 45–60 minutes by road; 1–1.5 hours by combination of bus+train). Frequent shuttle taxis and regional buses. Good option for international flights via connections.
Pau Pyrénées Airport (PUF): Further east; car or bus transfer required (~1.5–2 hours).
Bilbao (Spain) and Toulouse (France) are farther but sometimes viable depending on flight options; add 2–4 hours ground transfer.
Practical notes: Flights to Biarritz often connect through Paris, London, or Madrid. Factor in luggage limits if you plan to send gear ahead or use a baggage-transfer service.
By car / rental
Driving from Paris/Bordeaux/Biarritz: Expect scenic but sometimes narrow mountain roads as you approach the Pyrenees. From Bayonne/Biarritz the drive is ~45–70 minutes. From Bordeaux ~2.5–3 hours; from Paris ~8–9 hours.
Parking: Limited in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Some private parking lots near the town or organized long-term parking in Bayonne with shuttle options; confirm rates and security if you’ll leave a car for the pilgrimage.
Practical notes: A car gives flexibility for luggage drop-off, exploring nearby villages, or reaching a different starting point (e.g., Roncesvalles on the Spanish side). In winter, check weather/road conditions.
On foot / by bike approach
Some pilgrims choose to walk or cycle shorter approaches from nearby French villages or Basque towns. Distances vary; plan accommodation and resupply options accordingly.
From Spain
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port sits just on the French side of the border; Spanish access typically goes via Pamplona, Roncesvalles, or Basque airports/cities.
From Pamplona (Iruña)
By bus: Regular regional buses from Pamplona bus station to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port; journey ~1–1.5 hours. Bus timetables are generally convenient for pilgrims arriving by train or plane.
By train: Pamplona has limited direct rail to the town; bus is usually faster and more direct.
By car: ~1 hour drive. Parking and drop-off options similar to French side.
From Roncesvalles (Roncevaux)
Roncesvalles is a common Spanish starting point located about 20–25 km (12–15 miles) from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port across mountain routes. Many pilgrims start in Roncesvalles after arriving by bus from Pamplona.
To reach Roncesvalles, take a bus from Pamplona (approx. 1 hour), then walk (if you plan to start from Roncesvalles) or arrange a transfer to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port if you prefer the French trailhead.
Note: The crossing between Roncesvalles and Saint-Jean is
