Hello,
We have booked to stay in San sebastian (30 May to 3 June) and are in the process of organising transport.
Everywhere I had read prior to booking indicated train was our fastest option.
We were planning on catching the fasttrain from Paris to either Bordeaux or Hendaye and from there go on to San Sebastian.
Unfortunately I can't see to see any fast train routes available for my dates (fast trains are currently available until 26 April and then there are no options listed after this)
Would anyone have any advice on if there will trains running (I'm worried there may be maintenance scheduled).
Also any advice from anyone that has driven /flown this route would be appreciated.
Posted by
Chicago
8163 posts
I found some listed departing May 30
Paris Montparnasse Station to Hendaye on the official website:
https://www.sncf-connect.com
When you get to Hendaye then you buy the ticket to take this train to San Sebastian:
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA
700 posts
I believe there are 2 hour and 3 hour trains to Bordeaux.
I have also driven from Biarritz to San Sebastián. The drive us fast on a major highway. It was hard to park in SS. On the way back into France there were military units at the border. But same thing driving from Italy into France too.
Posted by
Lake District, England
7837 posts
I'm not sure where you are looking but the fast trains from Paris to Hendaye are there on your dates.
It seems to be too early for the timetables in Spain but even if the Spanish narrow gauge (Euskotren) wasn't running they will be replaced with buses or there are plenty of service buses. The important thing is that the line as far as Hendaye is running as normally.
Posted by
Washington DC
28065 posts
But if you rent the car in France and drop it off in Spain, there's likely to be a very large international drop charge.
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
When you get to Hendaye then you buy the ticket to take [Euskotren] to San Sebastian
To clarify this: You cannot reserve Euskotren tickets. Euskotren is just a commuter railway. You can buy tickets at the machines in Hendaye, or perhaps on the app.
So you just need to book a Paris-Hendaye ticket on SNCF Connect. The trains run every 30 min from Hendaye to San Sebastian.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you so much everyone!
I was trying to use trainline and think the Hendaye-San Sebastian leg of the journey was giving me the 'not available' result.
I will organise Paris - Hendaye and go from there.
Much appreciated.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
6970 posts
Avoid trainline and buy the ticket to Hendaye from SNCF instead. When you arrive at Hendaye, exit the station, turn right and you'll see the Euskotren station. If I'm not mistaken the trip from Hendaye to San Sebastien/Donostia takes a bit over 30 minutes and costs a bit under €3.
Hopefully the TGVs from Paris will be extended to San Sebastian/Donostia soon, but at the moment you need to change train at the border.
Posted by
4 posts
I just booked tickets via eurorail, for a train from Paris to Bordeaux in the middle of June. It was easy to book it. I hope I did it correctly and the tickets I printed out will work.
Good luck in your travels. We are trying to figure things out ourselves, as we are fist timers.
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
Hopefully the TGVs from Paris will be extended to San Sebastian/Donostia soon, but at the moment you need to change train at the border.
Given the state of cross-border connections between the two countries, and despite the fact that track work should be almost complete, I am not holding my breath!
It sure would be nice, though.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
6970 posts
Given the state of cross-border connections between the two countries,
and despite the fact that track work should be almost complete, I am
not holding my breath!
Neither am I, but it seems like there is some progress. Slow, but still progress.