Major city · France
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Spend one night to collect your pilgrim passport and walk the French Way start; town sights fit a half‑day walk.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is the traditional gateway to the French Way of the Camino de Santiago. The compact historic centre, pilgrim office and river views can be explored in a half‑day; most travellers stay one night to start the trek or to rest after arrival by train.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–June, September–October
- avoid November–March (Napoleon route closed)
- Airports
- BIQ · PUF
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; keep an eye on belongings in crowded train stations and follow signage on closed routes in winter.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire & ambulance · 15 Medical emergencies (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBIQ Biarritz Airport (Bus to Bayonne then train (≈1.5 h total, check)).
- Getting aroundThe town centre is walkable; most sights are within 5 min on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealPizza slice€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Budget bedDormitory bed, a night, per person€12 (≈ US$14)
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (double), a night, per room€70 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedPrivate room (double), a night, per room€100 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €30 (≈ US$35) · Mid €55 (≈ US$65) · High €80 (≈ US$95)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BIQ Biarritz Airport (Bus to Bayonne then train (≈1.5 h total, check)) · PUF Pau Airport (Train to Bayonne then onward.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Dec (15 rain days), driest Jul (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
14 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town centre is walkable; most sights are within 5 min on foot.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Biarritz
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus from Biarritz Airport to Bayonne, then train (≈1 h)
Coastal city, beach and casino.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Beilari
€45 per person, includes dinner & breakfast; opposite Pilgrim Office.
Gite Makila
€25 per person, includes breakfast; 2‑minute walk.
Refuge Municipal
Dorm €12, double €30; basic facilities.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €30–45 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- €45–70 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dormitory bed1 × 1 night × €12 | €12 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × €30 | €30 |
| Train Bayonne → Saint‑Jean‑Pied‑de‑Port (return)1 × €15 · check | €15 |
| eSIM data (7 days)1 × €10 | €10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €7 |
| Trip total≈ €74 per person per day, bed included | €74≈ US$90 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and long‑distance trains excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Croissant | €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Pizza slice | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Bottle of local wine | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Train Bayonne → Saint‑Jean‑Pied‑de‑Portcheck | €15–30 (≈ US$18–35) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Napoleon route to Pamplona closed Nov–Mar; use Valcarlos detour.
- Train connections from Bayonne are limited in late evening; check schedules.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire & ambulance
- 18
- Medical emergencies
- 15
Pocket card
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Saint-Jean-Pied-de-PortSaint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire & ambulance18
- Medical emergencies15
Embassy
My embassy: —
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–June, September–October · avoid November–March (Napoleon route closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add night in Bayonne for coastal walk.
- Combine with a day in the Basque Country (Biarritz, Hendaye).
Sources
Ask about Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
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