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San Sebastián and…Paris?

Probably a pipe dream, but nonetheless dreaming about combining San Sebastián with Paris. Is there any way to make the logistics uncomplicated?

There will be 3 of us: two parents in our 50’s and a 15 year old. Since we will be coming from the Midwest US, I’m thinking the most direct route to San Sebastián is via Madrid by air. That last leg is always a doozy. Flying home from Paris ought to be straightforward, but it’s also the San Sebastián to Paris leg that looks like a slog. Current schedules show no direct flights from EAS out of Spain, though there are some from Bilbao, but then we’re budding to BIO, flying to CdG, then training into Paris. The train options look like they’d take all day with a couple of transfers.

We could reverse the sequence of the cities, but really want to avoid 3 flight legs all in one push. (Yes, we are babies that way.) All ideas are welcome.

Posted by
6421 posts

San Sebastian/Donostia to Paris is a easy trip by train. Local train to Hendaye and change there to a TGV to Paris.

Posted by
7382 posts

Our trip 10 years ago started with a few days in Madrid, and we took the early morning train for about 5 hours to Bilbao. Straightforward, and not a bad trip; certainly didn’t take all day. That city (where the Tour de France bike race actually started this year) and its Old Town were delightful. We rented a car and drove to San Sebastián (aka Donostia). From there, we continued on to Barcelona, but Paris would be a good idea, too.

Posted by
1708 posts

The reason why it looks like train might take all day is that the local Euskotren service from San Sebastian to Hendaye (just across the border in France) is in none of the international train planners. So those all send you via complicated detours.

Euskotren runs a frequent suburban/regional railway system in the whole Basque area. It is cheap, and extends all the way to Hendaye in France.
You can find information here:
https://www.euskotren.eus/en

Note that Hendaye is "Hendaia" in Basque, and that there are multiple stations in San Sebastian/Donostia. Pick the one most convenient for your accomodation (and here google maps is your friend...)

From Henday to Paris there are TGVs several times a day, taking around 4h40. See www.sncf-connect.com