One of the most frequently asked questions about walking the Camino de Santiago is: How do I get to the start of my walk? Most Camino routes begin in secondary cities or rural towns, making ground travel logistics an essential part of your planning.
This practical guide outlines the best train, bus, and air connections to help you reach your Camino starting point in France, Spain, and Portugal.
How to Plan Transport To Your Camino
Now that you have committed to walking the Camino de Santiago and booked your international flights, the next step is organizing transportation to your ch`osen starting point.
When researching ground transportation, the following online resources are particularly useful:
Best for Train Connections
- The Trainline. This website and app is useful for planning and booking train connections across Europe. E-Tickets can also be purchased on the site.
- SNCF connect. France’s national rail service website – itinerary planning and ticket purchase available.
- RENFE . Spain’s national rail service – itinerary planning and ticket purchase available.
- Comboios PT. Portugal’s national rail service – itinerary planning and ticket purchase available.
Best For Bus and Vehicle Transport
For shorter Camino routes or final 100 km itineraries, buses and taxis are often the most efficient way to reach rural starting points:
- Omio travel website for scheduling and booking trains and buses in Portugal and Spain.
- Alsa bus Spanish inter-city and regional bus company. Booking and e-ticketing available.
- Monbus Spanish bus company with local and regional lines in northern Spain.
- Camino Facil Known for baggage transport, it also offers pre-bookable taxi services along Camino routes in Spain.
- Blabla car A popular European ride-sharing platform connecting drivers and passengers for intercity travel, with additional bus services in France.
Airports Near Camino Starting Points
If you are flying into a major European airport – a connecting flight may be an option to get you to your start point. Below is an outline of airports near Camino routes.
| Camino Route → Airport(s) |
| Camino Frances starting in France at St. Jean Pied de Port → Biarritz (BIQ) |
| Camino Frances → Pamplona (PNA), Bilbao (BIO), Santiago de Compostela (SCQ), Madrid (MAD) |
| Camino Norte and Camino Primitivo → Bilbao (BIO), San Sebastián (EAS), Biarritz (BIQ) |
| Camino Ingles → Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) and A Coruna (LCG) |
| Camino Portuguese traditional route → Porto (OPO) and Lisbon (LIS) |
| Camino Portuguese Coastal Route and Camino Portuguese Spiritual Variant → Porto (OPO) and Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) |
Tip: From Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), take the commuter train from Terminal 4 to Chamartín Station (15–20 minutes) for onward connections to northern Spain.
When using connecting flights, trains or buses following an international arrival leave a minimum of 2-2.5 hours to clear customs and make your connection.
Camino de Santiago Basics of Ground Logistics
Santiago’s Pilgrim Reception Office (officinadelperegrino.com) statistics show the most commonly travelled routes of the Camino in 2025 were the Camino Frances, the Camino Portuguese and the Camino Portuguese Coastal. After these preferred paths are the Camino Ingles, The Camino de Norte and the Camino Primitivo. The table below provides an overview of logistics related to these routes.
| Route | Popular Access Points | Start Point Logistics | Considerations |
| Camino Frances | St. Jean Pied de Port (SJPP)France Pamplona Burgos Leon Sarria | SJPP connection by train via Bayonne (France) and Alsa bus from Pamplona (Spain). Pamplona and Leon have air, bus and train connections. Burgos has an airport but links by train and bus may be more efficient. Leon has good train connections from Madrid and its own airport. Sarria is accessible from Santiago and Madrid by bus and train. | Sarria connections by bus from Santiago may be most efficient. Bilbao is another transportation hub to consider. Bilbao has an international airport and there are bus connections from Bilbao throughout the region. |
| Camino Portuguese Coastal | Porto Vigo (Spain) | Coastal route officially starts in central Porto at Sé Cathedral. To avoid city walking, consider using Porto’s Metro (subway) to start from Matosinhos. Final stage walks (last 100kms) often start in Vigo. | Vigo (Spain) is accessible by regular train from Santiago (less than an hour) and via twice daily trains from Porto. Porto has bus and train connections to points all along the Coastal route. |
| Camino Portuguese Central/Traditional Route | Lisbon Coimbra Porto Valenca/Tui | Lisbon official starting point is Igreja de Santiago (Church of Santiago) in Lisbon’s Alfama district. You can also start at Sé de Lisboa (Cathedral of Lisbon). To avoid city walking, take the local train to Alhandra to start. Coimbra is accessible by direct bus from Lisbon (less than 3 hours) or Porto (less than 2 hours). Porto official start point is Sé Cathedral. To avoid city walking, use public transportation to reach start point at Maia (metro or bus). Last stages (100K walks) usually start in Tui (Spain) or Valenca (Portugal) accessible by train from Porto in a few hours. | Many towns along the traditional route are accessible by train or bus from Lisbon and Porto. To get to Tui take the train to Valenca from Porto or Lisbon and walk across the border bridge to Tui. Tui is also accessible by train or bus from Santiago. |
| Camino Portuguese Spiritual Variant | Pontevedra (Spain) | Pontevedra is accessible from Porto by bus (less than 3 hours) Pontevedra is accessible by train from Santiago (less than 1 hour) | The variant splits off from the main Camino Portuguese route 3.5 km north of Pontevedra. |
| Camino Ingles | Ferrol A Coruna | Ferrol and A Coruna are accessible by bus (Monbus 1.5 hrs) and train (2+ hrs) from Santiago. A Coruna has its own airport (LCG) and Ferrol is 45 minutes by taxi from the airport. | The Camino Ingles has two official start points (Ferrol and A Coruna). Ferrol is the traditional starting point. |
| Camino Norte | Irun (Spain) | Irun can be reached by bus from Bilbao and San Sebastian. | If approaching Irun from France be aware that train connections across the border are not easy. Bus may be more efficient. |
| Camino Primitivo | Oviedo (Spain) | Oviedo has its own airport (OVD) but can also be reached by bus from Bilbao and train from Madrid (3.30 hrs). | Alsa bus lines connect Oviedo to its airport (40 mins) and also to Bilbao (3+ hrs). |
Camino Practical Travel Tips
- Allow Extra Time: Connections can be affected by delays or labor strikes. Plan for at least 2–2.5 hours between transportation links.
- Book Tickets in Advance: Purchase intercity train and bus tickets at least one week ahead, allow more planning time (2-3 weeks) during summer, weekends, and holidays.
- Choose Flexible Fares: Flexible tickets allow changes if your travel plans shift.
- Use E-Tickets: Digital tickets are standard practice and can be stored on your smartphone.
- Avoid Onboard Purchases: Some operators do not allow ticket purchases on board; you may be fined or denied boarding. Purchase e-tickets in advance or allow enough time to purchase tickets on site.
- Plan for Rural Access: Buses or taxis are often necessary to reach smaller towns along Camino routes.
Final Thoughts
Reaching your Camino starting point may seem complex at first, but with a little planning, the process is straightforward. By combining flights with efficient train and bus connections, you can begin your pilgrimage with confidence and minimal stress.
A little preparation goes a long way—allow extra time, book flexible tickets, and familiarize yourself with transportation options. With logistics in place, you’ll be free to focus on what truly matters: enjoying the journey.
Buen Camino!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Time Do I Need to Connect From My International Flight to My Train
At Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) leave at least 2.5 hours when changing terminals/airlines/catching train. At Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) a minimum of 3 hours is required. Leave up to 4 hours for any international connection to be comfortable.
How do I get to Saint Jean Pied de Port France
Saint Jean Pied de Port (St. Jean Pied de Port or SJPP) can be accessed by train connection from Bayonne (France) and Alsa bus connection from Pamplona (Spain).
How do I get to Sarria Spain
Sarria is accessible from Madrid by train and from Santiago de Compostella by bus or taxi.
How do I get to Vigo Spain
Vigo can be reached by train from Santiago de Compostela (less than 1 hour) and by train from Porto, Portugal (2 hours).
How do I get to Tui Spain
Tui can be accessed by train from Santiago de Compostella and by train from Porto, Portugal. When travelling from Porto take the train to Valenca and then walk across the border bridge to Tui (less than 1 hour)
How do I get to Pontevedra Portugal?
Pontevedra can be reached by bus from Porto in less than 3 hours and from Santiago de Compostella by train in less than 1 hour.
How do I get to Ferrol Spain
Ferrol can be reached by train and bus from Santiago de Compostela. Ferrol is less than 1 hour by taxi from the airport at A Coruna.
How do I get to Oviedo Spain
Oviedo has its own airport (OVD) but can also be reached by bus from Bilbao and train from Madrid (3.30 hrs).
How do I get to the Camino Frances
You can start your walk at several different points including St. Jean Pied de Port, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon and Sarria.
How do I get to the Camino Portuguese
You can start your walk in Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto, Valenca/Tui. Each start point has multiple transportation links. Your choice depends on the amount of time you have to walk.
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