Ask the traveller: San Sebastian

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We are going to San Sebastian in Spain on Friday to see Bon Jovi in concert. We are flying to Biarritz in France and need to know the best way to travel onwards from there. Katherine Howard, Essex

Of all the cities in Europe that have no direct flight connection from the UK, San Sebastian is arguably the most alluring.

The historic Old Town, home to some of Spain's most outstanding restaurants, has a handsome hub in the shape of the Plaza de la Trinidad – flanked by cafés at street level, and framed by balconies above. The city is complemented with a gorgeous crescent beach known as La Concha ("the shell", reflecting its shape) and a location between the Basque mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.

Even though the local airport gets flights only from Madrid and Barcelona, San Sebastian is easy to reach from Biarritz airport.

You can walk from this airport to Biarritz railway station in 25 minutes, then board a train to Hendaye (25 minutes, more expensive if you get a TGV rather than an ordinary train).

Turn right out of the French station, and you'll find a small Spanish station for the Euskotren narrow-gauge line to San Sebastian's Amara station: a fascinating 40-minute journey for the very reasonable fare of €1.60, which deposits you near the centre of this beautiful city – although it is debatable whether San Sebastian will be at its shimmering finest with Bon Jovi in town.

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