Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, how to get there in 2026?

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (SJPDP) is the starting point of the Camino Frances, the most popular Camino de Santiago route. Thousands of people arrive every year in the small town of St.Jean-Pied-de-Port in the French Pyrenees to start their journey on the Camino de Santiago. In this post, I’m explaining different ways of getting to Saint Jean.

The walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles is the toughest day of the itinerary.

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Where is Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port?

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is a small town in the Pyrenees, south-western France. It’s situated 820 km/509 mi south-west of Paris and 480 km/298 mi north-west of Barcelona. The nearest airports are in Biarritz (direct flights from several European cities), 50 km/31 mi north of St.jean and in Pamplona (direct flights only from Madrid), 80 km/50 mi south.

If your want to know how much to budget for your trip read our detailed post on the cost of the Camino Frances.

Different way of getting to SJPdP

There are different ways of getting to SJPdP. Whichever way you choose you’ll have to make at least one switch to get there. It’s a very small place, there are no direct transportation options from major cities in France or Spain.

When I walked the French Camino I got to St.Jean-Pied-de-Port from Barcelona. First, I took a bus from Barcelona to Pamplona, and then another bus from Pamplona to SJPDP.

Departure times and ticket prices can change, please, confirm the information on the companies’ websites following the links provided in the post.

How to get to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port from Biarritz, France?

The nearest to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port airport is in Biarritz (BIQ), France, 50 km/31 mi away. Biarritz has stunning beaches and beautiful coastlines. If you decide to fly there you can combine walking the Camino with a beach holiday. 

Getting to SJPdP via Biarritz is a good option for the off-season (22 October – 31 March) when there is no direct bus from Pamplona to St.Jean-Pied-de-Port.

To find out which airlines fly from your hometown, estimated prices, and timetables we recommend using Skyscanner. This flight search aggregator has information on flights from all over the world. It’s very helpful in finding the best routes. We prefer to buy tickets directly on the airlines’ websites.

Step 1. Fly to Biarritz

There are direct flights to Biarritz from Belgium, UK, Italy, Ireland, France, and Switzerland. And flights with one connection from many European countries, US and Canada. Ryanair is one of the airlines that operates flights to Biarritz. You can fly from London to Biarritz for 15-20 Euros, one way if you buy your ticket in advance. It’s important to remember that Ryanair is a budget airline check-in and carry-on luggage is not included in the cheapest tariff.

Step 2. From Biarritz Airport take a bus to Bayonne

Txiktxak operates bus line #3 between Biarritz Airport (Biarritz Pays) and Gare de Bayonne (Bayonne train station). Buses leave regularly throughout the day (every hour or so). It’s a 25-minute ride, the price is 2 euros. The bus stop (Icehouse stop) is 800 m from the airport, on Avenue d’Espagne. Tickets can be purchased at the dispenser or on the bus.

Step 3. From Bayonne train station take a train to St.Jean-Pied-de-Port

As of March 2026, there are six daily direct trains. The departure times are 6.40, 8.50, 12.36, 14.25, 17.14, and 18.37. The times can change depending on the season. You can confirm the timetable and purchase tickets online. The journey takes 1 hour, the price is 12 euros.

Getting to Saint Jean from Pamplona, Spain

Step 1. Fly to Pamplona

Pamplona Airport (PNA) is a small airport with direct flights only from Madrid. You can fly there with one stopover (in Madrid) from many European cities e.g. London, Frankfurt, Paris, Lisbon, Dublin, Amsterdam, etc. Find flights to Pamplona from your city.

Step 2. From Pamplona Airport take a taxi to the bus station

Since 2019, there are no public buses between the airport and the city. Travelers can use a shared taxi with a reduced tariff. The price is 0,85 euros per person (compared to 8-15 euros in a normal taxi). Taxis leave every hour from 10.00 to 24.00. The pick-up point is the old bus stop at the arrival. You pay for the taxi with coins.

To book a taxi you have to phone 30 to 10 minutes before. The phone numbers are (+34) 948 23 23 00 and (+34) 948 35 13 35. You can use special phones at the airport to make a call if your phone doesn’t work in Spain.

Step 3A (between 27th March and 21st October). From Pamplona catch a direct bus to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

There is one daily bus from Pamplona to SJPDP. In 2026 the buses start operate from the 27th of March. Some days the bus leaves at 10.00 some days at 12.00. The duration of the trip is 1h45min., and the price is 22 Euro. I highly recommend buying tickets in advance. You can purchase tickets and confirm the timetable on the ALSA website.

Step 3B (between 22nd October and 27th March). Take a taxi from Pamplona to SJPdP

During the off-season (22nd October to 27th March) there is no direct bus from Pamplona to SJPdP.

The easiest option is to take a taxi. You can use the taxi during the season as well if for some reason you can’t take a bus. If you’re a group of people (4 or more) sharing a taxi it will cost the same per person as taking a regular bus. A taxi can pick you up at the airport, the bus or train station in Pamplona.

Many pilgrims use Teletaxi San Fermin. You can book a car for up to 8 people. The booking has to be made at least 5 days in advance. The price (from the airport to SJPDP) is 130 euros for up to 8 people on weekdays, and 163 euros on weekends and holidays. The journey takes 1h30min. If you’re traveling solo you can try to find more pilgrims to share a taxi on the Camino forum.

Step 3C (between 22nd October and 27th March). From Pamplona take a bus to Roncesvalles 

Another way of getting from Pamplona to Saint Jean off season is to combine a bus and taxi.

You can take a bus from Pamplona bus station to Roncesvalles. The bus leaves Monday to Friday at 13.30 and Saturdays at 16.00. No buses on Sundays and public holidays. The journey takes 1h10min., the price is 5,65 euros, paid on the bus, cash only. Confirm the timetable on the website.

Step 4C (between 22nd October to 27th March). From Roncesvalles take a taxi to SJPDP 

Roncesvalles is a very small place with a big albergue, a couple of hotels, and restaurants. There are usually taxis waiting for passengers near the bus stop. You don’t have to book it in advance. Maybe on the bus, you’ll meet some pilgrims to share the taxi with. The drive from Roncesvalles to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is 30-40 minutes. The price per person depends on how many people share the ride.

How to get to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port from Paris?

Step 1. Fly to Paris

There are two international airports in Paris: Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY). There are thousands of flights from all over the world including direct flights from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and many European cities. There are public buses and trains that connect the airports with the train and bus stations.

Step 2A. From Paris take a train or bus to Bayonne

Train

From Paris, you can take a direct train to Bayonne. Trains leave from Montparnasse Station (Gare Montparnasse). The journey takes 4 hours, the price is from 40 euros. There is a discount for travelers under 25 and over 60 years old. There are 5 to 8 daily departures. Check the timetable and book your ticket online.

In Bayonne you arrive from Paris and leave for Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port from the same train station.

Bus

You can get to Bayonne from Paris by bus. There are several daily direct buses. Buses leave from Bercy Seine Bus Station. The journey takes between 10 and 12 hours. The price is from 40 euros (cheaper if you get a promo). Check departure times and prices on the FlixBus website.

Step 2B. From Paris fly to Biarritz and take a bus to Bayonne

You can get a direct flight from Paris to Biarritz, a town about 4 km/2.4 mi from Bayonne. Transavia operates direct flights from Paris Orly to Biarritz. The flight is 1h30min. The price is from 50 euros. Air France offers direct flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The flight is 1h30min. Prices are from 180 euros.

From Biarritz Airport take a bus line 4 to Bayonne. The bus ride takes about 30 min. and costs 3 Euros.

Step 3. From Bayonne train station catch a train to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

From Bayonne train station you can follow instructions from this section “How to get to SJPDP from Biarritz/Bayonne?“

Getting to St.Jean-Pied-de-Port from Madrid

Step 1. Fly to Madrid

There are many international flights to Barajas Airport (MAD) in Madrid from all over the world. We often get to the the Camino de Santiago routes in Spain via Madrid. The metro connects the airport with the city center, bus, and train stations. You pay 6 Euros to get from the airport to the city.

Step 2. From Madrid take a bus, a train, or fly to Pamplona

Any of these options is good depending on your preference, availability, and price. Flights are more expensive but faster. Buses are cheaper but much slower. Pamplona’s name in Euskera (the language of the Basque Country) is Iruña don’t get confused if you see on your ticket both names. 

Flight

Flying is the easiest and fastest way of getting to Pamplona. There are direct flights from Madrid to Pamplona operated by Iberia Airlines and Vueling. The flight takes 1 hour. The prices start from 60 euros.

Bus

You can get from Madrid to Pamplona by bus with one connection (no direct buses). All buses have a 30-minute transfer in Zaragoza or Soria. It’s one ticket, you don’t have to go anywhere just get off one bus and get on a different one. Buses depart from the Avenida America Bus Station and Barajas Airport Terminal 4 (T4). The journey takes 5-6 hours. The average price is between 25 and 35 euros. You can buy tickets and check departure times on the ALSA website.

In Pamplona, you arrive and leave for Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port from the same bus station.

Train

There are several direct daily trains from Madrid to Pamplona. The trains leave from the Atocha Train Station. The ride takes between 3 and 4 hours, the price is from 25 euros. Check the timetable and buy your ticket on the RENFE website.

From the train station in Pamplona, you can take bus #16 or taxi to get to the bus station.

Step 3. From Pamplona take a bus or a taxi to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

From here follow the above instructions for getting to SJPdP from Pamplona.

How to get to SJPDP from Barcelona?

Step 1. Fly to Barcelona

There are many direct flights to the Barcelona Airport El Prat (BCN) from all over the world including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, and other European countries. The airport is connected with the city by direct bus, train, and metro lines.

Step 2. From Barcelona take a bus, a train, or fly to Pamplona

Bus

There are direct buses from Barcelona to Pamplona. Buses leave from Barcelona Nord and Barcelona Sants bus stations. As of March 2026, there are 2-3 daily buses to Pamplona. The journey takes 6 hours. The price is from 30 euros. You can buy tickets and confirm the itinerary on the MonBus and FlixBus websites.

Train

There are 3 daily direct trains from Barcelona to Pamplona (Iruña). The trains leave from Barcelona Sants Train Station. The journey takes 4 hours. The average price is 48 euros. You can buy your ticket and confirm the timetable online.

Flight

There are no direct flights from Barcelona to Pamplona all flights have a layover in Madrid. Flights are operated by Iberia Airlines. A flight can take between 3h30min. and 6 hours depending on the connection. The average price is 120+ euros.

Step 3. From Pamplona take a bus or a taxi to St.Jean-Pied-de-Port

From here follow the instructions of getting to SJPDP from Pamplona.

Where to stay in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port?

There is one public (municipal) albergue in SJPDP that is exclusively for pilgrims. This albergue can’t be booked in advance it works on the first come first serve principle. If you’re new to the albergue culture our detailed post on the albergues on the Camino de Santiago will help you.

There are many private albergues, hostels, and hotels in the town. In the season between June and September, I’d recommend booking your accommodation in advance.

• Low-end | La Vita e Bella | Gite Compostela |
• Mid-range | Gîte de la Porte Saint Jacques |
• High-end | La Villa Esponda |

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