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San-Sebastian-Bilbao-Bordeaux

Karin Scherma

https://eurail.zendesk.com/hc/en-001/articles/12062295336093-San-Sebastian-Bilbao-Bordeaux

Has anyone booked this successfully using Eurail Global Pass? I am hoping to travel in the opposite direction - Bordeaux-Bilbao-San Sebastian, but all routes take me a very long way via Barcelona. 

The Eurail website advises this is being updated, but wondering if anyone has travel this route successfully? Did you have to book this part of the journey via SNCF website instead?

Any help appreciated. Thank you. 

 

 

Best answer by thibcabe

The Euskotren (Bilbao - San Sebastian - Hendaye) are still not reflected in most planners.

Eurail is not valid on their services. Tickets cost a few €, available at ticket machines there. The network works like a big subway system. :)

Timetables are available on https://www.euskotren.eus/en and on Google Maps.

Since the pass is only useful for the Bordeaux-Hendaye leg, it might not make sense to use a pass day.

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T
Full steam ahead
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  • thibcabe
  • Full steam ahead
  • 4913 replies
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  • January 5, 2025

The Euskotren (Bilbao - San Sebastian - Hendaye) are still not reflected in most planners.

Eurail is not valid on their services. Tickets cost a few €, available at ticket machines there. The network works like a big subway system. :)

Timetables are available on https://www.euskotren.eus/en and on Google Maps.

Since the pass is only useful for the Bordeaux-Hendaye leg, it might not make sense to use a pass day.

R
Railmaster
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  • rvdborgt
  • Railmaster
  • 10636 replies
  • January 5, 2025

Euskotren timetables are uploaded to MERITS (European Timetable Centre), so they're actually in a lot of planners, but Euskotren publish timetables max. 1 month in advance. Currently in the DB planner until 20/1.

Please ask questions in the community and not via a private message. That's the quickest way to get a response. I don't work for Eurail/Interrail.
ralderton
Railmaster
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  • ralderton
  • Railmaster
  • 1537 replies
  • January 5, 2025

Break it down into smaller chunks, and it will be easier to find the trains. Also, unless you need to go straight to Bilbao, it makes sense to visit San Sebastián first.

Bordeaux - Hendaye - 2.5 hours by TGV (reservation needed) or TER (no reservation needed)

As ​@thibcabe says, your pass isn’t valid on the Euskotren - buy tickets locally.

Hendaye - San Sebastian-Donostia (Amara) - 40 minutes by Euskotren

San Sebastian-Donostia (Amara) - Bilbao - 2.5 hours by Euskotren

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Note that Hendaye is Hendaia in Spanish. San Sebastián is Donostia in Basque, and Amara is the most central Euskotren station in San Sebastián-Donostia! (Though other Euskotren stations might be closer to your accommodation).

Same in Bilbao: there are several Euskotren stations, so pick the one closest to your accommodation.

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