Transportation Suggestion US-Bayonne France/Bilbao, Spain-US

I didn't take the tour but used the itinerary to plan some of my trip- one of my favorites! (This was years before Covid.)
I flew directly to San Sebastian from the US, but can't remember in which major European airport I connected. I stayed in Honderibba one night, then used the local train north. I am fairly fluent in French- the signs, with 3 languages were a little tricky but that was before smart phones!
I flew from San Sebastian to Madrid, then back to the US. Have a wonderful trip!

When we did this tour in 2022, we flew into Paris and then flew to Biarritz, took a taxi to Saint Jean de luz, spent a couple nights there on the seaside before taking a private shuttle from SJdeL to Bayonne to the starting hotel.

We loved our stay in Saint jean de luz.

At the end of the trip, we flew from Bilbao, which stopped in Madrid and then to Barcelona to do the Best of Spain tour but ended up in Madrid at the end of the tour and flew home from there.

Sure, you can train from Bilbao to Madrid if that's what you want to do, especially if you like trains. But it's just as easy to fly from Bilbao to Madrid. (and with some fares, maybe cheaper than the train)

In Madrid, we stayed at an airport hotel, because of the early flight, but if you have an afternoon flight or want to spend some time in Madrid, I would stay in central Madrid and take a taxi to the airport. It was a fixed rate and not that expensive.

Are you including Paris and Madrid because you intend to visit both on either end, or just that you prefer direct flights?
I found a one-change flight to Bilbao when I visited the region.

We are flying from Seattle via CDG on Delta/Air France in the Spring to Biarritz then taking a taxi to Bayonne.
In the past we have flown into Paris, overnighted, then took the train the next day. It is possible to take a train the same day you fly in if you get in early enough and can make your way to Montparnasse station in time.

Thanks a ton for all the brilliant travel tips! Really appreciate you all taking the time to share—it's going to make a huge difference.

We are flying into Paris then training down to Bayonne. After the tour we are flying to Barcelona for a few days. Using American to and using Iberia to get to Barcelona, I think Vueling is what we will be actually flying. Home on American. LAX to Philly to Paris. Barcelona to Dallas to LAX. I couldn’t get a direct with using my miles at the time I booked.

It would be easier to fly from North America to Biarritz and from Bilboa to North America.

When I took this trip, I flew to Paris and spent a few days there before taking the train to Bayonne. I could not find good flight options to Biarritz. I flew from Bilbao to London where I spent a few days before flying home.

For something a bit different, instead of going from Bilbao to Madrid then to the airport, think Burgos.

First Burgos is worth the visit. So after you have stayed in Bilbao for a few days, take a bus to Burgos. Spend a night or two there. Then you can take a bus from Burgos straight to the T4 terminal. The early bus will get you there at 10:10 and the next one at 10:45.

In any case, the train works, but the bus in Spain is just as good and ofter better.