How to Get to Roncesvalles

If you’ve made it this far, it’s likely that you’ve decided to walk the Camino de Santiago, specifically the French Way starting from Roncesvalles. If you’ve chosen this route, the big question now is: how do you get to Roncesvalles?

Although Roncesvalles is the starting point for most pilgrims on the French Way, many others choose to begin in Saint Jean Pied de Port. However, due to the difficulty and time required for this, the majority opt for Roncesvalles. Below, we’ll explain all the ways to reach Roncesvalles. We should note that, regardless of where you’re coming from, you’ll first need to get to Pamplona.

Roncesvalles is a place steeped in history and tradition along the Camino de Santiago

Getting to Pamplona

To reach Roncesvalles, you’ll first need to get to Pamplona, as we mentioned, and then continue to your final destination.

By Bus

Taking a bus is usually the most economical way to reach Pamplona. From major cities in Spain, you’ll find several connections throughout the day. From Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Valencia, or Logroño, there are companies that offer trips to Pamplona. For those coming from southern Spain and looking to take a bus to Roncesvalles, it’s best to get to Madrid or Alicante first to catch the bus from there.

Prices vary depending on the city of departure, with the cheapest from Logroño and the most expensive from Alicante. The company handling this route from Barcelona, Madrid, and Logroño is Alsa. However, from Alicante or Valencia, the service is provided by Bilman Bus. You can find all the schedule and price information on their websites.

By Train

This is the most popular option among pilgrims starting their Camino in Roncesvalles. From major cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, and even Málaga, there are plenty of trains and schedules that will take you to Pamplona. Renfe is the train service that will get you there. Prices vary depending on the city you’re traveling from, but it’s typically not cheaper than the bus, though it is faster.

To get to Roncesvalles you have to go through Pamplona

By plane

Without a doubt, this is the quickest option to get to Pamplona. The journey time from any of the points in Spain that we have talked about is between three and four hours depending on the stopovers. We have to say that it is probably the least economical option, except for some offers that we can take from Madrid.

Reaching Roncesvalles

Once in Pamplona, you need to continue to Roncesvalles. Here are the available options.

By Bus

From Pamplona’s bus station, you can take a bus to Roncesvalles with the company Autocares Artieda. Buses run every day except Sundays and holidays. This leg of the journey takes about an hour and fifteen minutes, but it’s always a good idea to check the schedules on their website. If you’re planning to bike the French Way from Roncesvalles, you can pay a bit extra to bring your bicycle along.

While you arrive at Roncesvalles you can enjoy the Navarrese landscape

By Taxi

The other option is to take a taxi, though it’s much more expensive. Ideally, you’d share a taxi with other pilgrims. You can find taxi services online, many of which are used to providing services for pilgrims and even allow for advance reservations. This service is available for both Roncesvalles and Saint Jean Pied de Port.

Driving to Roncesvalles or Pamplona

Many pilgrims prefer to drive to Roncesvalles, avoiding worries about luggage, timing, and connections. Depending on where you’re coming from in Spain, the travel time will vary. You can also drive to Pamplona, park your car, and then take public transportation to continue your journey to Roncesvalles. Here’s the route from some of the main cities mentioned earlier:

From Madrid

The journey takes about 5 hours, depending on stops and speed. Leave the capital on the E-900/A-2 towards CL-101, where you’ll take exit 41 to join the A-15. Continue on this road to the N-113, then take exit 101. Enter the AP-15 as you arrive in Navarra, continue on to the N-234, and then follow the NA-1720 until you reach Roncesvalles.

From Barcelona

The estimated travel time is about 5 and a half hours. Leave via the AP-7, linking to the AP-2, AP-68, and AP-15, before finally joining the NA-234 in Navarra. Follow this to the NA-1720, which will take you to Roncesvalles.

You can reach Roncesvalles by car

From Valencia

Expect a journey of about 5 and a half hours. Start on the A-23, connect to the AP-68, and then to the AP-15. This last road will link you to the NA-234 in Navarra, which continues to the NA-1720 and on to Roncesvalles.

From Málaga

If you’re driving from southern Spain, the journey will take around 10 hours or more, depending on your pace and the number of stops. Start on the A-45, continue on the A-92, link to the A-44 and A-2 towards CL-101, where you’ll take the A-15 at exit 41. From there, take the N-113 and AP-15 towards N-234 in Navarra, which will lead you to Roncesvalles.

From Logroño

The journey takes about 2 hours. Leave Logroño on the A-12 towards Navarra, continue on the Francia/Pamplona road until you reach the N-135, which will take you directly to Roncesvalles.

If you want, we will pick you up and take you wherever you want

If I prefer a Private Transfer?

If you need a private transfer, we can assist you. Whether from Pamplona or its airport, you can request it online through our transfer pages.

If you’ve decided to start your Camino de Santiago from Roncesvalles, we hope this guide has helped you understand how to get there. And if you wish, we’ll be happy to organize it for you and answer any questions you might have.