How to Get to Roncesvalles

Guide on how to get to Roncesvalles, one of the main starting points of the Camino de Santiago, with transportation options from various cities, combinations of bus and car, and practical tips for planning access to this key location of the French Way.

If you have made it this far, it is most likely that you have decided to undertake the Camino de Santiago, specifically, the French Way from Roncesvalles. If you have decided to take this Jacobean route, the big question now is: ¿how to get to Roncesvalles?

Although Roncesvalles is the starting point of the French Way for most pilgrims, many others also choose to begin in Saint Jean Pied de Port. However, due to the difficulty and time required, the majority opt for Roncesvalles. Below, we will explain all the ways to get to Roncesvalles: we can already tell you that, no matter where you come from, you will first need to reach Pamplona.

Getting to Pamplona

To get to Roncesvalles, you will first need to reach Pamplona, as we mentioned, and then proceed to your final destination.

By bus

Traveling by bus is usually the most economical option to reach Pamplona. From the major cities in Spain, there are more possibilities to find several connections throughout the day. From Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Valencia, or Logroño, we will find companies offering the journey to Pamplona. For those coming from the south of Spain who wish to take the bus to Roncesvalles, the ideal is to reach Madrid or Alicante to take it from there.

The price varies depending on the city from which we take the bus, from the cheapest in Logroño to the most expensive from Alicante. The company responsible for this connection from Barcelona, Madrid, and Logroño is Alsa. However, from Alicante or Valencia, the company in charge will be Bilman bus. All the information regarding schedules and prices can be found on their websites.

By train

This is the option most chosen by pilgrims who decide to start their Camino in Roncesvalles. From major cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, and even Málaga, there are a good number of trains and schedules that will take you to Pamplona. With Renfe, we can reach Pamplona. Prices vary depending on the city from which we travel, but obviously, it is not cheaper than the bus, although it does have a shorter duration.

By plane

Without a doubt, this is the fastest option to reach Pamplona. The duration from any of the points in Spain we have mentioned ranges between three and four hours depending on the layovers. We must say that it is likely the least economical option, except for any offer we might catch from Madrid.

Getting to Roncesvalles

Once in Pamplona, you must continue to Roncesvalles. Below, we provide the available options.

By bus

From the bus station in Pamplona, thanks to the company Autocares Artieda, we can reach Roncesvalles. There are buses every day of the week except Sundays and holidays. The duration of this segment is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, but in any case, we recommend checking the schedules on their website. There is the possibility, for an additional fee, to take our bicycle if we have decided to travel the French Way from Roncesvalles by bike.

By taxi

The other option to get to Roncesvalles is to take a taxi, although it is much more expensive. Ideally, it would be best to share the taxi with other pilgrims. You can search for taxi services online, as many of them are accustomed to providing services for pilgrims and even allow for advance reservations. This service is available for both Roncesvalles and Saint Jean Pied de Port.

Getting to Roncesvalles or Pamplona by car

Many pilgrims prefer to take their car to reach Roncesvalles and avoid worries regarding luggage, time, and stops. Depending on the part of Spain from which we depart, the duration will be longer or shorter. And of course, you can also arrive in Pamplona in your private car, park it, and take public transport to continue the journey to Roncesvalles. Below we will specify the route from some of the most important points mentioned earlier.

From Madrid

The journey will take about 5 hours depending on the stops we make and the speed at which we travel. We leave the capital via E-900/A-2 towards CL-101, where we will take exit 41 to merge onto A-15, continue on this road to N-113, and take exit 101. We enter AP-15 upon our arrival in Navarre, which we will continue on until we reach N-234, which we will follow until we reach NA-1720, finally arriving in Roncesvalles.

From Barcelona

The estimated duration will be about 5 and a half hours. We leave via the AP-7, connecting with the following highways: AP-2, AP-68, and AP-15, finally merging onto the NA-234 in Navarra. We continue on this road to take the NA-1720 until we reach our destination in Roncesvalles.

From Valencia

About 5 and a half hours await us for the journey. We depart from Valencia via the A-23, taking the AP-68 and AP-15. Thanks to the latter, we will connect with the NA-234 in Navarra, which we will follow until we reach the NA-1720 and later to Roncesvalles.

From Málaga

If we have chosen to take the car and are leaving from the south of Spain, we should consider that the journey will last around 10 hours or more. It depends on the pace and the stops we wish to make along the way. We start by taking the A-45 to continue on the A-92, connecting with A-44 and A-2 towards CL-101, where we will take the A-15 at exit number 41. From there, we take the N-113 and AP-15 towards N-234 in Navarra, which we will follow until we reach our destination in Roncesvalles.

From Logroño

It will take us about 2 hours. We will leave Logroño via the A-12 to Navarra to continue on the France/Pamplona road until we meet the N-135, which will take us directly to Roncesvalles.

What 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 transfers pages.

If you have decided to undertake the Camino de Santiago from Roncesvalles, we hope this article has helped you know how to get there. And if you wish, we will be happy to organize it as well as to answer any questions you may have.