How to Get to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Start the Camino

The simplest public transport route to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is usually to connect in Bayonne with the regional train to the town. You can also arrive by road from Spain, but check the entire trip, especially the last leg. Arrival time matters: many pilgrims prefer to spend the night there before starting the French Way.

First, make sure you have the right destination

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is in the French Basque Country, not Navarre. Spanish search tools may call it San Juan Pie de Puerto; use its official name for French tickets. Bayona will usually appear as “Bayonne”. Check that your final stop is Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port station, not Saint-Jean-de-Luz or another similarly named place.

The municipality describes arrivals by train, road, bus and air. This overview helps you choose a route; the operator’s booking tool shows the departures and seats available on your date. For the walking stages, see the French Way guide.

Train from Bayonne to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

The municipality identifies a station at Bayonne with national and regional connections and another at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, linked by train. Before travelling, open SNCF Connect’s Bayonne–Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port search and select your travel date. The results help you choose an arrival with time to settle in.

When booking a longer train journey to Bayonne, leave time before the regional train. Check whether the two legs are sold as one booking or separate tickets. With separate tickets, a delay on the first train could make you miss the second. Check the station for each service too: the same city name does not guarantee the same platform.

From Paris and other French cities, search for a journey to Bayonne and then on to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. The municipality lists national connections to Bayonne; SNCF shows the options for your day. From Spain, first check how to get to Bayonne from your origin rather than assuming there is a direct rail link to the final destination.

From airports: the flight is only the first leg

Biarritz/Bayonne/Anglet airport is a nearby gateway. The municipality also lists Pau, San Sebastián and Bilbao as airports that can serve the area. They are not interchangeable: each needs a different ground transfer to Bayonne or Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

To compare them, write out the journey from the terminal to your accommodation, including all changes. A flight to Bilbao may suit your starting city or budget, but the ground trip covers more distance than from Biarritz. If you land late, check whether the final connection still runs that night; otherwise, choose a place to sleep before continuing.

If you check a bag, allow time to collect it and reach the stop or station. Avoid booking a connection that leaves shortly after the scheduled landing time. An early departure the next day is often more reliable than a last-minute transfer.

From Pamplona and the Spanish side

If you are already in Pamplona, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port lies across the border. According to the French municipality, the road passes Roncesvalles and Arnéguy. ALSA includes Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port among its Camino destinations: search for Pamplona–Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in its official booking tool. If it shows no departure on your day, do not count on a seat; try another date or a booked transfer.

Make sure the ticket actually names the French town. ALSA also serves Roncesvalles, a different starting point; choosing it by mistake changes the journey.

If you want to start in Saint-Jean while travelling from Spain, a booked transfer can be useful, especially for a group or when public departures do not fit. Compare the total price, pick-up point, cancellation terms and baggage allowance. Treat journey times as estimates that may change with traffic or weather.

Local bus and car

The municipality mentions a local bus linking Saint-Palais, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry. It may help with a local leg, but it is not a complete journey from Bayonne or Pamplona. Check the operator’s current information before depending on it.

For drivers, the municipality lists road approaches from Bayonne, Bordeaux, Pau and Pamplona. Before leaving the car for days, read the municipal parking information. Distinguish short-stay spaces and time limits from somewhere suitable for a longer absence. Decide how you will get back to the car from where you finish the Camino.

A friend driving you avoids several changes, but agree on an arrival time that lets you find your bearings. Confirm the accommodation address and drop-off point: the old town has narrow streets and not every address is reached in the same way by car.

Arrive with time before setting off

For many people, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is where the first day on the French Way begins, not just a transfer stop. Book a night if your journey is long, the final connection arrives late or you need to sort out your pilgrim credential. The guide to the pilgrim credential explains what to prepare before setting off.

You do not need extra nights for their own sake; the point is to stop a missed connection from dictating your first walking day. Check the weather forecast and local access information before walking. The route guide covers decisions about the path itself.

• Search with the town’s full French name.
• Check the last train or transfer on your date.
• Leave time between the flight, long-distance connection and regional train.
• Check for station changes and the final stop on each ticket.
• Book accommodation for your confirmed arrival time.

If you are still deciding between this start and a shorter one, the guide to choosing your first Camino helps you select a starting point.

Frequently asked questions

Are Bayona and Bayonne the same city?

Yes. French booking tools use “Bayonne”. Check the station printed on each ticket as well.

Is there a train to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port?

Yes. The municipality lists the local station and its connection with Bayonne. Search SNCF Connect for the frequency and departures on your date.

Can I get there from Pamplona without a car?

ALSA includes Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in its Camino network. Search with Pamplona as the origin and the French town as the destination. If no trip is sold for your date, consider another date or a booked transfer.

Which airport is best?

The one that gives you a workable entire journey to your accommodation. Biarritz, Pau, San Sebastián and Bilbao are possible gateways, but their ground connections differ.

Photo: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port — Remontees · CC BY-SA 4.0.