Hi. I am traveling alone on public transportation from Bilbao area into France in October. I am trying to decide how best to see Basque Country and then make my way into France where I have ten days to explore, making my way to Paris. Any suggestions on an exciting itinerary and best transportation to make this happen? I would like to see as much as possible, but linger in a few areas, rather than trying to see the whole country at once. Thanks for any help!
Posted by
shingle springs, CA, USA
782 posts
Check the train schedules,we had a car and stayed in Bilbao and then San Sebastian which we used as a base for the area traveling into the hill towns,we moved on to St Jean De Luz to explore the French Basque area and Bayonne and Birratz.I think that the hill towns will be hard to access with public transportation,Birratz,Bayonne,St Jean de Luz and San Sebastian will be easily accessable by train or bus.
Mike
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Rick has a chapter on Basque Country in both his France and Spain books (it's the same chapter in each). In it, he details public transportation options, including for getting between France and Spain.
Posted by
Washington DC
28082 posts
There are lots of attractive coastal towns in the Spanish Basque Country, places you can visit on day trips from Bilbao or San Sebastian: Bermeo (nearer Bilbao) and Zarautz/Getaria/Zumaia (nearer San Sebastian). Some can be reached by bus; others, by the FEVE trains. I think my favorite (larger than most) was Hondarribia, which is almost on the French border. There are frequent buses from San Sebastian.