Boat from Hondarribia to Hendaye.

Using the regular boat line Hondarribia – Hendaye is the most comfortable and practical way to get from one end of the bay of Txingudi to the other.

The boat that connects Hondarribia and Hendaye, is today, the best option to cross the bay of Txingudi. This beautiful and short maritime route brings us closer to the best of both municipalities in less than 7 minutes, a pleasure. To the fact of being one of the fastest and most practical ways to join the coastal towns of Hondarribia and Hendaye (2 of the most beautiful towns of Euskal Herria), we must add the fact that it represents a whole experience for the youngest of the house, an adventure that attracts and encourages them. We must point out that although they make the same route, at the same price and with the same frequency, although in the eyes of many people it may seem to be the same service, they are 2 different companies. So we can say that there are 2 boats that make this maritime route, the Rekalde boat based in Hondarribia and the Marie Louise boat based in Hendaye. Conclusion, depending on the time, we will hire the services of one company or another.

It may be a discovery for the people who visit us, but we must say that these boats have been linking these two Basque towns on a regular basis since before 1993, on a daily basis. This transport is continuously used by tourists and locals, who, motivated by the charms of both sides, ply the bay of Txingudi in these emblematic boats. These boats admit dogs, surfboards and bicycles on most of their routes, but we must point out that they are subject to sea conditions, weather conditions, the influx of people and the opinion of the captain, who may ultimately prohibit the access of any object or animal to the boat. Being able to leave behind the traffic that is generated in summer on the roads of the administrative border that separates the two localities, is another of the many points in its favor. For us, personally, the boats that link Hondarribia and Hendaye are an essential transport for all the people who want to enjoy this area of Euskal Herria.

From Gipuzkoa to Iparralde (also known as the French Basque Country or Northern Basque Country) in just 7 minutes. An international route, which leads us to the paradise of pinchos and gastronomy as is the case of Hondarribia, or to the paradise of popular architecture, surfing and tranquility as is Hendaye. In addition, on sunny summer days, during the journey we have the chance to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view over the 3 villages that form the environment of the bay of Txingudi: Hondarribia, Irun and Hendaye.

The boats that link these two towns offer their services uninterruptedly throughout the year, thus forming the so-called “Bidasoa Txingudi Cross-border Consortium”, a necessary transport to enjoy all the attractions offered by this area of the Basque Country.

Price: 1,90€ per person per way. It may seem a rather high price, but if we start to analyze one by one all the good and bad points, it ends up being a reasonable price. Among all of them, the aspect that gains more weight is the time we need to join the two urban centers. And is that, we should mention that if the boat from Hondarribia to Hendaye takes 7 minutes, the same journey by land has an approximate duration of about 25 minutes, almost nothing. Quite a difference. On the other hand, the simplicity of this transport makes that it has become one of the most demanded to make the indicated route. In addition to the standard price, there are special rates for bicycles (0.50 €), a very common everyday object in these two coastal towns.

Route: It is not necessary to buy the ticket for the boat that connects Hondarribia and Hendaye in advance, the tickets are obtained once we are on the boat, during the trip. What we must do is get in line at the point where these boats moor (Paseo butrón in the case of Hondarribia and the Marina in the case of Hendaye), and is that, in summer, the demand for this transport often leads to long waits. Once the moorings are cast off, the boat passes through the bay of Txingudi, a space of calm waters that invites us to enjoy the views. It is common to find all kinds of boats in the bay, from small sailing boats to large pleasure boats that go out to sea to fish for bonito and other species.

Timetables: The schedules of the boats that link Hondarribia and Hendaye are not fixed, they change at each time of the year. Although the boats leave every 15 minutes from Hondarribia and Hendaye throughout the year, the times at which this service begins and ends vary depending on the stage of the year in which we are. Here are the schedules of the two boats that cover this route.

Schedules may vary due to weather conditions and other important reasons, so we recommend calling 639 61 78 98 for Jolaski, or 06 07 02 55 09 for Marie Louise. We are not responsible for changes in the schedule. As you can see, these two boats take turns with each other, creating the same service that operates approximately every 15 minutes.

Other options: There are other options to go from Hondarribia to Hendaye, such as bus, cab or train (the mole) in the case of public transport (most involve stops) or Euskadi rental cars in case of opting for private vehicles. In Hondarribia, the bus company Lurraldebus operates with more than 10 lines, we are sure that they will help you to get to know this authentic Basque jewel. Regarding Hendaye, the buses of the companies Hegobus and “Transports 64” offer us a wide range of destinations to choose from along the coast and inland of Iparralde (Northern Basque Country or French Basque Country).

Boat trips: If this little boat trip has caught your attention, if you feel like enjoying a more complete and lasting navigation, there are sea trips that show us many of the charms of the Basque coast. Spaces like San Juan de Luz, Biarritz, Hendaye or Hondarribia. An experience that gives us a totally different point of view to the one we are used to from land.

Boats and companies: The boats in charge of this route, Rekalde / Leire II and Marie Louise, respond to the typical passenger boats that we find in other places like Pasaia or Getxo, where, as in Hondarribia and Hendaye, have the impediment of water to join their streets with those of the neighboring towns. And it is not the first time that we talk about maritime services like this, we already told you in the past about the motorboat of Pasaia, a boat that connects the districts of San Juan and San Pedro de Pasaia and from where some of the best snapshots of the town are taken. Although the boats of the Bay of Txingudi are larger and have a deeper draft than those of other localities, the type of transport is practically the same. Here is more information about the companies that offer this service in case you want to contact them:

Plans in Hondarribia: Hondarribia, is one of those towns of which we have spoken on countless occasions. On this occasion, we want to propose a series of things to see and do in this town of Gipuzkoa.

Plans in Hendaye: Hendaye, the first village that we find after the muga (border in Basque), faithfully represents the spirit of the villages that we find on the coast and in the interior of northern Euskadi. Lots of color, lots of charm, but above all, lots of tranquility and beauty.

Videos: Once again, we wanted to add a video of this experience as a complement to help all those people who are thinking of using this maritime transport. We encourage you to subscribe to our YouTube channel to enjoy many other videos. We hope you find it helpful.

• Boat from Hendaye to Hondarribia.

As you have been able to see, the service offered by the boats that link Hondarribia and Hendaye can not be described as boat trips, but rather as a maritime connection between the two towns. A service that helps, and a lot, in the daily life of all those people who want to enjoy this special land. We are waiting for your opinions.