Getting to Saint Jean Pied de Port: Your Camino Journey Begins

For first-time pilgrims planning the Camino de Santiago, reaching Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port—the gateway to the French Way—can seem daunting. But don't worry, we've got you covered.

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is a charming small town nestled at the foot of the French Pyrenees, right on the Spanish border and roughly fifty kilometres from the Atlantic coast. Accessible only by train or car, it has become an increasingly popular destination in recent years, welcoming thousands of pilgrims each summer season.

The most straightforward way to reach southwestern France is undoubtedly by plane. The French airports closest to Italy and best connected are Lourdes, Biarritz, Bordeaux, and Toulouse, while in nearby Spain, San Sebastián stands out as an excellent option.

Grab a map and locate Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port alongside these five airports to better understand the distances and travel times between each location.

This means that flights to Lourdes and Biarritz, being the two closest airports to your destination, are your best options.

Lourdes offers direct flights from Bergamo at budget-friendly rates—the only direct connection from Italy, actually.

From Lourdes, you can walk directly to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the GR78 trail

Biarritz is reachable from across Italy, but requires a connection, making it considerably more expensive.

Bordeaux and Toulouse, though further away, are well-served with direct flights. However, ticket prices are notably higher and lack budget options.

Unfortunately, travellers from Central and Southern Italy face fewer flight options and foreign connections compared to those from the North, resulting in higher costs and longer journey times.

Once you've arrived in France, take a bus to the railway station and catch a train heading towards Bayonne.

Remember that all trains must connect here before continuing to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

Train fares range from around ten euros to Bayonne, up to 30–50 euros from Bordeaux and Toulouse.

I should also mention Taxi as another viable transport option. More comfortable and faster than trains, consider it especially if you can share costs with other passengers—I assure you, it's competitively priced by European standards. From Lourdes, for instance, taxis depart right from the airport, and if you fill the car, the journey costs less than twenty euros per person.

Plan your trip well in advance to keep costs down and ensure smooth connections.

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