Camino Travel

What is this guide, and who is it for?

You've decided to walk the Camino de Santiago. The boots are broken in, the pack is (mostly) assembled, and the flights are booked or nearly so. But between your front door in the United States and that first yellow arrow in the French Pyrenees, there's a logistical puzzle that catches more pilgrims off guard than blisters on day three.

This guide is for you if you're flying from the US and need to reach Saint Jean Pied de Port, the classic starting point of the Camino Francés, which is the most popular route to Santiago de Compostela. It also covers nearby alternative starting points: Roncesvalles and Pamplona, both on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees.

Here's what to expect from this page:

• Step-by-step transport options: trains, buses, taxis, and pilgrim shuttles
• Typical travel times, costs, and booking resources
• Common mistakes and how to sidestep them
• A realistic timeline (most US travellers should plan roughly two full days door to door; once in Europe, onward transfers usually take about one day)

A few terms you'll see throughout: Saint Jean Pied de Port (often shortened to SJPDP or "St Jean") sits in southwestern France. Roncesvalles and Pamplona are on the Spanish side. And Santiago de Compostela, in the region of Galicia in northwest Spain, is where you're ultimately heading, roughly 780 km on foot from St Jean.

Where does the Camino de Santiago start if I'm walking the Camino Francés?

The Camino de Santiago is not a single path. It is a network of ancient pilgrim routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, where tradition holds the remains of the apostle Saint James are interred in the cathedral. The Camino Francés, the French route, is the most popular Camino route and the one most US pilgrims choose for their first pilgrimage. According to the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago, over half of all pilgrims arriving in Santiago each year walk this route.

But "where it starts" depends on your appetite for logistics and mountain weather:

Starting Point	Country	Why Start Here	Key Consideration
Saint Jean Pied de Port	France	Classic start; dramatic Pyrenees crossing on Day 1	Requires French rail connections; limited train frequency
Roncesvalles	Spain	Skips the Pyrenees climb if weather is bad; still earns a Compostela	Fewer transport options; small village with limited services
Pamplona	Spain	Easy city access; strong bus and rail links	Misses first 3 stages; airport connections via Bilbao or Madrid

This matters for travel planning because St Jean is in France (served by the French rail network), while Roncesvalles and Pamplona are in Spain (served by Spanish buses and trains). Different countries, different booking systems, different timetables. Choose your starting point first, then build the transfer plan backwards from there.

What are the easiest routes to St Jean Pied de Port from Paris or Biarritz?

The simplest way to reach St Jean Pied de Port from the US involves flying into either Paris or Biarritz, then taking a train south and west to Bayonne, and finally connecting on a regional train to St Jean. This France to Santiago route is the one most pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago follow.

The typical sequence looks like this:

1. Arrive in Paris (CDG or Orly) or Biarritz (BIQ) on your transatlantic flight
2. Train to Bayonne: from Paris, the TGV takes roughly 4 to 5 hours. From Biarritz, it's about 30 minutes by train or bus
3. Connect from Bayonne to Saint Jean Pied de Port: a regional train of about 1 hour 15 minutes through green Basque foothills

If you're arriving in Paris, you can often make the entire journey in a single day, provided your flight lands by mid-morning and trains align. But "provided" is doing heavy lifting in that sentence. Many pilgrims wisely choose to overnight in Bayonne or Biarritz, especially if their transatlantic flight arrives in the afternoon. You'll find decent hotels near both stations, and Bayonne's old town is genuinely lovely, all dark-timbered Basque architecture and chocolate shops. Worse places to sleep off jet lag.

Book your Paris to Bayonne TGV tickets through SNCF Connect as early as possible. Prices climb steeply closer to departure; buying 2 to 3 months ahead can save significant money. The Bayonne to St Jean regional train is cheaper and usually available closer to travel, but check schedules carefully, as services are limited.

What should I know about the Bayonne connection to St Jean Pied de Port?

This is the segment that trips people up. The Bayonne to Saint Jean Pied de Port train runs only a few times per day, and frequency varies by season and day of the week. In summer, you might have three or four departures; in shoulder season, possibly fewer. The last train typically leaves in the late afternoon.

1. Check the exact schedule for your date on TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine (the regional rail service)
2. Allow at least 60 to 90 minutes of buffer between your TGV arrival in Bayonne and the regional departure, to account for delays
3. The station in Bayonne is "Gare de Bayonne"; the train to St Jean departs from the same station
4. The regional train is simple: one or two carriages, no reserved seating, a quiet ride through countryside

If you miss the last connection, don't panic. Bayonne has plenty of accommodation. Sleep there, catch the first morning train, and start your Camino de Santiago adventure a few hours later than planned. The Way will wait.

How do I get to St Jean Pied de Port from Pamplona via Roncesvalles?

Some pilgrims fly into Spain rather than France, perhaps landing in Madrid or Bilbao, then making their way to Pamplona by bus or train. From Pamplona, you can reach St Jean Pied de Port by going through Roncesvalles, the historic mountain crossing where Charlemagne's rearguard came to grief. It's a less common approach, but it works well if your flights route through Spain.

Here's the sequence:

1. Bus from Pamplona to Roncesvalles: operated by ALSA or regional carriers, this costs around €6 and takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours through Navarran hill country
2. Roncesvalles to Saint Jean Pied de Port: two options here:
4. Shared taxi with other pilgrims (cost varies, typically €20 to €40 per person depending on group size)
5. Express Bourricot shuttle, a pilgrim-focused service running between the two towns

The Pamplona bus typically departs from the central bus station. Confirm the exact stop and schedule before your travel date, as routes and times shift seasonally. The ride climbs steadily through the Pyrenean foothills, and if you're sitting on the right side, the views through the window are a preview of the landscape you'll be walking through the next day.

Choosing between a shared taxi and the Express Bourricot shuttle comes down to flexibility versus predictability. A taxi is easier to arrange spontaneously, especially if you meet other pilgrims on the Camino heading the same way. The shuttle is more structured, runs to a set timetable, and is designed specifically for pilgrims. In peak season (May to September), booking the shuttle in advance is strongly recommended.

How much should I budget for buses, taxis, and shuttles on this route?

Segment	Mode	Approximate Cost	Notes
Pamplona to Roncesvalles	Bus	~€6	Confirm on ALSA or local operator site
Roncesvalles to SJPDP	Shared Taxi	€20 to €40/person	Depends on number sharing; arrange at Roncesvalles
Roncesvalles to SJPDP	Express Bourricot	~€15 to €25	Pre-booking often required; check their site

Carry a small cash buffer of €50 to €80 for these transfers. Card acceptance is generally good in Spain and France, but taxis and small shuttle operators sometimes prefer cash. Having both gives you options if something goes sideways.

How long does it take to travel from the United States to the Camino starting point?

Honestly? Longer than most people think when they first start planning. The flight is the easy bit; it's the European connections that eat the hours.

Here's a realistic timeline framework:

Day	What Happens	Where You Sleep
Day 0 (evening)	Depart US on overnight transatlantic flight	In the air
Day 1 (morning/midday)	Arrive Paris or Biarritz; TGV or regional train towards Bayonne	Bayonne, Biarritz, or (if connections align) St Jean Pied de Port
Day 2 (morning)	Final connection to St Jean if needed; collect pilgrim credential; settle in	St Jean Pied de Port
Day 3	Start walking the Camino Francés	Roncesvalles or wherever your feet take you

Plan for two full days from your US departure to arriving in St Jean. Some pilgrims manage it in less, but building in a buffer night is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself. Jet lag is real. So is the temptation to push through it, start your Camino de Santiago pilgrimage the moment you arrive, and spend the first day on the Pyrenees crossing feeling like you've been lightly bludgeoned. Take the rest day. Your knees will thank you on the descent to Roncesvalles.

What schedules, tickets, and booking tips should I know before I go?

Transport schedules in southwestern France and northern Spain are reliable but not abundant. This isn't London or New York, where you can miss a train and catch the next one in twenty minutes. Some connections run two or three times a day. Miss one and you're waiting until tomorrow.

1. Check schedules close to your departure date. Timetables shift seasonally, and regional services in particular may change frequency between winter and the Camino's peak season
2. Start early in the day. Morning connections from Paris or Biarritz give you the best chance of reaching St Jean the same day
3. Book TGV tickets 2 to 3 months ahead via SNCF Connect for the best fares
4. Bus tickets (Pamplona to Roncesvalles) can often be purchased on the day, but check ALSA's website to confirm whether online booking is available or required
5. Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) before you leave, in case mobile data is patchy during transfers

A few more practical points for transit days along the Camino de Santiago route:

1. Travel insurance: worth having for the entire pilgrimage, and specifically useful if a missed connection forces an unplanned night in Bayonne or Paris
2. Packing for transit: keep snacks, water, a warm layer, and your phone charger accessible. Train stations have cafés, but not always at the times you need them
3. Connectivity: pick up an eSIM before departure or buy a European SIM on arrival. Having mobile data makes checking live train departures and navigating stations considerably less stressful

What official sites and services should I use to verify times and buy tickets?

Service	What It Covers	Website
SNCF Connect	French long-distance and regional trains (Paris to Bayonne, Bayonne to SJPDP)	sncf-connect.com
TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine	Regional trains including Bayonne to St Jean Pied de Port	ter.sncf.com
ALSA	Spanish bus routes including Pamplona to Roncesvalles	alsa.com
Express Bourricot	Pilgrim shuttle Roncesvalles to St Jean Pied de Port	expressbourricot.com
Pilgrim's Office (Oficina del Peregrino)	Compostela statistics, credential information	oficinadelperegrino.com

Always cross-check date, time, station name, and luggage rules before you travel. French and Spanish rail websites occasionally display different information from third-party booking platforms. When in doubt, trust the operator's own site.

What are common mistakes when travelling to St Jean Pied de Port (and how do I avoid them)?

I've heard the same stories from many pilgrims arriving frazzled at the pilgrim office in St Jean, and the mistakes cluster around a few themes:

1. Arriving too late to catch the last Bayonne to St Jean train. This is the single most common problem. If your TGV arrives at 17:30 and the last regional train left at 17:00, you're sleeping in Bayonne. Check schedules, build in buffer, accept that arriving early and waiting beats arriving late and stranded
2. Planning impossibly tight transfers. A 15-minute window between trains sounds fine until the first one is 20 minutes late. Allow at least an hour between connections, especially at unfamiliar stations
3. Assuming frequent service. The Bayonne to St Jean Pied de Port line is not the Paris Métro. Two to four trains a day is normal. Treat each departure as precious
4. Not having a Plan B. If the connection fails, where will you sleep? Bayonne and Pamplona both have abundant accommodation. Having a backup hotel bookmarked on your phone removes the panic
5. Starting to walk the Camino the same day you arrive from the US. I understand the eagerness. You've planned this pilgrimage for months. But the first stage from St Jean over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles is one of the most demanding days on the entire Camino Francés. Doing it on zero sleep and maximum jet lag is how injuries happen. Rest first. Walk tomorrow

A note on other Camino routes and starting points

This guide focuses on reaching St Jean Pied de Port because the Camino Francés is the most popular route to Santiago de Compostela, but it is far from the only way to walk the Camino de Santiago. The Camino Portugués starts in Lisbon or Porto and crosses into Galicia from the south, with a beautiful coastal variant called the Camino Portugués Coastal. The Camino del Norte follows Spain's northern coast from Irún. The Camino Primitivo, the original camino and the oldest known pilgrimage route, begins in Oviedo. The Vía de la Plata runs north from Seville. The Camino Inglés from Ferrol is one of the shortest routes to Santiago, popular with pilgrims who have limited time. And the Camino de Invierno offers a winter alternative that avoids the snow-prone mountain passes.

Each of these pilgrim routes has different transport logistics, different starting cities, and different character. If you're considering one of them, your travel planning will look quite different. The Camino Portugués, for instance, is well served by budget airlines into Porto. The Camino del Norte and Camino Primitivo require navigating Spain's bus and regional train networks from various northern cities. The city of Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain is always the endpoint, but the roads that lead there are wonderfully varied.

How many miles is the Camino de Santiago? That depends entirely on which route you choose. The Camino Francés from St Jean to Santiago is roughly 780 km (485 miles). The Vía de la Plata from Seville is over 1,000 km. The popular Sarria to Santiago section, the minimum distance required to earn a Compostela certificate, is about 115 km. Over 400,000 pilgrims arriving in Santiago collected their Compostela in 2023, a number that continues to grow each year.

FAQ: What else do US pilgrims ask about getting to the Camino start?

Is it better to start in St Jean Pied de Port or Roncesvalles?

Starting in Saint Jean Pied de Port gives you the classic experience: collecting your pilgrim credential, crossing the Pyrenees on Day 1, and walking the whole Camino Francés from port to Santiago. Starting in Roncesvalles is simpler logistically (you stay in Spain the whole time) and still covers enough distance to earn a Compostela. If the weather forecast for the Pyrenees crossing looks severe, starting in Roncesvalles is the sensible choice. Both are valid; neither is wrong.

Can I do the whole transfer from Paris to St Jean in one day?

Sometimes yes, if your flight lands early and the trains cooperate. An early-morning arrival at CDG, a midday TGV to Bayonne, and a late-afternoon regional train to St Jean Pied de Port can get you there by evening. But this requires everything to go right. If you're planning this, have a backup hotel in Bayonne bookmarked and accept the possibility you might need it.

Do I need to pre-book the Express Bourricot shuttle?

In peak season (roughly June through September), pre-booking through the Express Bourricot website is strongly recommended, as seats fill quickly. In quieter months you may be able to book on shorter notice, but confirming availability beforehand saves you from being stranded in Roncesvalles with no onward transport.

How early should I arrive before my Camino start date?

Arrive at least the evening before you plan to start walking. If you're coming from the US, arriving two nights before is even better. Jet lag affects everyone differently, but the Pyrenees crossing on Day 1 of the Camino Francés is not the place to discover you can barely keep your eyes open. Use the extra time to visit the pilgrim office in St Jean, check your gear, and eat well.

What if my flight is delayed and I miss my connection?

Use Bayonne (if coming through France) or Pamplona (if coming through Spain) as your reset point. Both cities have good accommodation, are well connected to onward transport, and are perfectly pleasant places to spend an unplanned night. Catch the first morning departure and start your camino fresh. The Way of Saint James has been walked for over a thousand years. It can handle you arriving twelve hours late.

Your next step: plan your transfer to St Jean Pied de Port

Start by choosing your arrival city. If you're flying into Paris, your route runs south by TGV to Bayonne, then the regional train to St Jean. If you're arriving in Biarritz, you're already close; Bayonne is just 30 minutes away. If you're flying into a Spanish city, consider the Pamplona to Roncesvalles bus and then a shuttle or taxi across to St Jean.

Once you've chosen your route, build in buffers. An extra night in Bayonne costs €60 to €100 and might save your entire first week on the Camino. Check the booking links in the table above, cross-reference your dates, and save your confirmations offline.

Then put the logistics down. Close the laptop. You've done the hard bit of planning. What comes next, the walking, the shared meals in albergues, the quiet mornings when the path unfolds through mist and eucalyptus and the sound of your own footsteps, is the part you can't quite prepare for. And that, honestly, is the whole point. You'll reach Santiago de Compostela in your own time, at your own pace, along the camino that chose you as much as you chose it. Start your Camino when you're ready. The yellow arrows will be there.