Travelling To Santiago De Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is located in the western part of Galicia, the part of Spain that meets the Atlantic Ocean and lies just north of Portugal. At the first look at a map, it may seem a little out of the way, but the city has convenient air, road and rail links to the rest of the country and beyond, due to its popularity as a destination for pilgrims.

If you are able to find lodgings close to the city centre, then you will be within walking distance of most of Santiagos attractions. Dont worry if you are staying a little out of town, as there is a good bus system and usually plenty of taxis.

By car

Two main highways are convenient to Santiago and offer fast and comfortable access to major towns and cities in Spain as well as southwestern France and northern Portugal. The city itself is on the A-9 motorway, which runs along the coast of northern Spain, linking Tui on the Portuguese border to La Coruna and further north into the Basque country. Alternatively, there is the N-VI motorway that runs between Madrid and La Coruna, which can be reached from Santiago via the A-9 motorway.

By rail

Santiago is served by a convenient rail system that links the city to Madrid, La Coruna, Vigo and Ourense. From Vigo, there are trains south into Portugal, while from La Coruna, there are trains north to the Basque country and into France. There is also a service to Barcelona, from where you can continue on to the French Riviera.

By bus

There is a convenient network of bus routes linking Santiago with other towns in Galicia and to major cities throughout Spain and neighbouring countries such as France, Portugal and Italy. Buses arrive and depart from the central San Caetano bus station.

The city is well served by a local bus network that criss-crosses the entire town, with the most frequent routes going to and from the university.

By ferry

While you cant get to Santiago by ferry, there are ferries from the UK to Santander (from Plymouth) and Bilbao (from Portsmouth), which are not too far away. From either of these northern Spanish ports, you can rent a car and drive to Santiago, or take a bus or train to the city.

By air

Santiago de Compostela Airport is located 10kms northeast of the city and has many scheduled flights to main cities all over Europe and the UK. Main carriers include Ryan Air, Iberia, KLM, Air Berlin, Air Europa and Spanair. Ryan Air flies direct from London Stansted and Liverpool international airports.

Despite serving around two million passengers a year, Santiago de Compostela Airport does not boast a great range of facilities and amenities. There is a bank and two ATM machines, but no post office or business centre. A total of seven outlets offer a range of duty-free and regular shopping, while there is a caf, self-service restaurant and full-service restaurant. There is ample parking, with one huge 1,500-capacity car park that caters for both short and long-term parking.

Two major roads link the airport to the city, offering fast transfers by bus, taxi or rental car. The local bus service links the airport with the centre of the city, stopping at only a few places on the way. Ryan Air passengers can take advantage of Ryan Airs shuttle service, which stops at the train station, bus station, convention centre and the Plaza de Galicia. There are also buses to the coast and the main regional towns. Taxis await each arrival and are often more convenient as they can drop visitors off directly at their accommodation.

Taxis

There are several taxi companies in Santiago and their fleets are very large, so you shouldnt have problems hailing one down in the street or finding one at a taxi stand during most times of year. Popular religious holidays and events however, place a heavy demand on the cab services, so it is wise to pre-book your taxi in advance during these periods.