Boat from Hondarribia to Hendaye

The boat crosses Txingudi bay between the Butrón promenade and Hendaye harbour in about seven minutes. It has run practically every day since 1993 and leaves every 15 minutes; the ticket, €2.50 per person per trip, is paid on board. It takes dogs and up to five non-motorised bicycles per crossing.

The timetable changes with the season. In July, August and until 13 September, from 10:00 to midnight. From April to June, in the second half of September and in October, from 10:15 to 19:00, and until 20:00 at weekends. From late October until March, from 10:15 to 18:00. Bad weather can change it.

The crossing

It is the most direct way to get to France from the Marina without a car. The boat is the Rekalde, a traditional vessel, and the crossing is short: seven minutes over the bay, with views of the three towns of Txingudi, Hondarribia, Irun and Hendaye. From the water you see Hondarribia's walled old town high above and the Marina below, and opposite, Hendaye's harbour and seafront.

There is no need to book or buy in advance: you arrive at the jetty, wait for the next boat and pay on board. With a departure every quarter of an hour, the wait is never long. Jolaski's website gives the Butrón promenade as the departure point, although in another section it mentions the Venta car park: if in doubt, ask at the Marina tourist office or call 622 427 388.

Price and what you can take

• Ticket: €2.50 per person per trip, paid on board.
• The website does not publish a reduced fare for children.
• Dogs: allowed.
• Bicycles: up to five non-motorised per crossing.

A return costs €5. If you are travelling as a group with bikes, bear in mind the limit of five per crossing: you may have to split up between two boats.

2026 timetables

• Summer: July, August and until 13 September, from 10:00 to 00:00.
• 14 to 30 September: from 10:15 to 19:00; weekends, until 20:00.
• October: from 10:15 to 19:00; weekends, until 20:00.
• 26 October to December: from 10:15 to 18:00.
• January to March: from 10:15 to 18:00.
• April to June: from 10:15 to 19:00; weekends, until 20:00.

Bad weather can change the timetables. Check the time of the last boat back, especially in winter, when the service ends at 18:00.

What to do on each side

With a boat every quarter of an hour, it is easy to spend an afternoon in Hendaye and be back for dinner. In Hondarribia, the boat leaves next to the Marina and Calle San Pedro, so the perfect plan is to cross in the afternoon and come back for pintxos at Gran Sol. If you want more boat, the same company runs the trip along the Jaizkibel cliffs. To see the bay from land, try the Higer lighthouse or Plaiaundi park, in Irun.