If you plan to do the entire Camino de Santiago, actually a myth since there is no such thing as ‘the whole Camino’, then there are two main starting points: Roncesvalles, the first city in Spain, or St Jean Pied de Port, the last city of France. Starting from St Jean Pied de Port his pilgrimage extends for one day. Many prefer to start in St Jean rather than Roncesvalles, especially if they plan to do the Camino de Finisterre after reaching Santiago, as they can say that they have crossed the entire width of Spain from the French border to the Atlantic coast.
Yet another reason to start in St Jean is that it is well connected to various destinations in France, while your journey will be a bit more difficult if you start in Spain.
Direct connections by public transport
- From Bayonne: There is a direct train from Bayonne to St Jean Pied de Port.
Public transport routes that require a change
- From Biarritz: You can take a bus from Biarritz to Bayonne (from the city center or directly from the airport) and then take the train from Bayonne to St Jean Pied de Port.
- From Hendaye or Irún: Take a train from Hendaye to Bayonne and then another train from Bayonne to St Jean Pied de Port. From Irún, cross the border to Hendaye.
- From San Sebastián: Take a Euskotren (local train service) to Hendaye (just across the French border. Then take a train to Bayonne and then another train to St Jean Pied de Port. This sounds difficult but all parts of the The journey is short.
- From Bilbao: take a bus from Bilbao to San Sebastián and then follow the instructions above from San Sebastián to St Jean Pied de Port. Alternatively, go to Pamplona and follow the directions from there.
- From Zaragoza: go to San Sebastián and follow the indications from those cities.
- From Barcelona: go to San Sebastián and follow the directions from those cities.
- From Madrid : go to San Sebastián and follow the directions from there.
Difficult connections that require a car or taxi
As both Roncesvalles and Pamplona are on the Camino de Santiago, you probably won’t want to start from here as it requires backtracking along the route you intend to take.
- From Roncesvalles: You must take a taxi from Roncesvalles to St Jean Pied de Port. Some people hitchhike this part of the trip.
- From Pamplona: Take a bus from Pamplona to Roncesvalles and then a taxi to St Jean Pied de Port. To avoid the taxi option, turn around, head to San Sebastián and follow the signs from there.
