Public transport along the Camino Francés

[Castilian]

MODERATOR NOTE: This thread was last updated in 2016. Some information on routes and transport companies may still be correct, but details may not.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this thread is to make a list of public transport options (other than taxi) along the Camino Francés that can be used by anyone who needs it. There are two main types of people that could be interested on this thread:

1. People that can't walk but want to accompany someone who can walk spending together the not walking time at his/her rest/overnight stops.
2. People that want to skip part of the route by whatever reason(s).

The list provides (some) bus (and, when available, train) options among towns along the route. There many towns along the route and there are many possible destinations from each town so the list isn't comprehensive. If you are among those quoted above as number 1, the info on the list could be enough for you. If you are among those quoted above as number 2, don't overlook the notes I made at the bottom of the thread and don't hesitate to ask for specific routes not covered on this thread.

I wrote on bold letters the name of some cities and towns in order to make easier to find your location if you are already on the route. So read the bold names till you arrive till one where you haven't been yet (this year) on your camino. The info on that paragraph is likely to be the one you are looking for (read too the next and/or the previous paragraph if they don't have any bold name on them because that info might be useful for you too). If that info doesn't suit you, don't overlook the notes at the bottom of the post. And if you don't find where you were looking for, just ask!

A NON-EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF BUS AND TRAIN TRANSPORT ALONG THE CAMINO FRANCÉS

CAVEAT: I think all the info posted on this post is right at the time of the last edition of the post (look at the right corner at the bottom of the post; just above the dotted blue line) but it might be incomplete and there could be mistakes. There could also be changes on bus routes and/or on train routes that made outdated (part of) the info posted on this post. Therefore, you must confirm by yourself that whatever route(s) you plan to make is(are) really available on your travel date(s) and what bus company (or companies) makes it(them). The links provided on the post may help you to confirm it.

PREVIOUS NOTE: Not all the bus routes quoted on this post are made daily. Check the schedules on the web of the relevant bus company (or companies). If it doesn't offer online schedules, phone them once on the ground.

Saint Jean Pied de Port- Roncesvalles (aka Orreaga) is made, seasonally, by Alsa: www.alsa.es/en

If going from SJPP to Roncesvalles via Valcarlos (aka Luzaide), there's bus service between Pekotxeta (next to Arnéguy) and Valcarlos as well as from Pekotxeta to Pamplona (aka Iruña or Iruñea) and from Valcarlos to Pamplona. PLM (http://plmautocares.com) is the bus company making those routes. Check with them to know schedules.

Roncesvalles (aka Orreaga)-Burguete (aka Auritz)-Espinal (aka Aurizberri)-Zubiri-Larrasoaña-Zuriain-Zabaldika. Routes among these towns as well as between any of these towns and Villava (aka Atarrabia), Burlada (aka Burlata) or Pamplona (aka Iruña or Iruñea) are made by Autocares Artieda: www.autocaresartieda.com There isn't service on Sundays.

Routes among Villava, Burlada and Pamplona as well as from Pamplona to Cizur Menor are made by TUC: www.infotuc.es

Pamplona (aka Iruña or Iruñea)-Puente la Reina (aka Gares)-Mañeru-Cirauqui-Lorca-Villatuerta-Estella (aka Lizarra)-Ayegui-Azqueta-Los Arcos-"Torres-Sansol"-Viana-Logroño. Routes among these towns are made by La Estellesa: www.laestellesa.com Torres del Río and Sansol are so close that they are quoted as a single destination with the name "Torres-Sansol" on the web of La Estellesa.

Logroño to Navarrete can be made with the Metropolitan transport of the Government of La Rioja: www.larioja.org/transportes/es/actualidad/lineas-transporte-metropolitano-gobierno-rioja

Logroño-Navarrete-Nájera-Santo Domingo de la Calzada-Grañón-Redecilla del Camino-Castildelgado-Villamayor del Río-Belorado-Burgos. Routes among these towns are made by Autobuses Jiménez: www.autobusesjimenez.com In the case of the route between Logroño and Navarrete, the Metropolitan Transport of the Goverment of La Rioja (see above) offers daily service and much more frequencies Autobuses Jiménez.

Burgos-Tardajos-Castrojeriz-Frómista. Routes among these towns are made by Autobuses Amaya: http://autobusesamaya.com

From Frómista to Carrión de los Condes it used to be bus service once a week but I don't know if it's still available. The alternative would be to take a train from Frómista to Osorno (with RENFE: www.renfe.com) and a bus from Osorno to Carrión de los Condes with Alsa (www.alsa.es/en). With the current schedules, connection works daily except Saturdays but be aware it's tight.

Carrión de los Condes-Terradillos de los Templarios-Sahagún-Bercianos del Real Camino-El Burgo Ranero-Mansilla de las Mulas-Villamoros de Mansilla-Puente de Villarente-Arcahueja-León Routes among these towns are made by Alsa: www.alsa.es/en From Sahagún to Mansilla de las Mulas and to León, Autocares Abel has service too some days: www.autocaresabel.com Among Sahagún, El Burgo Ranero and León, train is another option: www.renfe.com

León-Trobajo del Camino-Virgen del Camino-Valverde de la Virgen-San Miguel del Camino-Villadangos del Páramo-San Martín del Camino-Puente de Órbigo-Hospital de Órbigo-Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias-San Justo de la Vega-Astorga. Routes among these towns are made by Alsa: www.alsa.es/en From León to Astorga (just between León and Astorga; i.e.: without including any of the camino towns in between), train is an option too: www.renfe.com

From Astorga, the best is to go all the way to Ponferrada either by bus (Alsa) or train (RENFE). Otherwise, Autocares Pedrín (http://autocarespedrin.e.telefonica.net) might have some days buses between Astorga and Foncebadón but from Foncebadón to Ponferrada, AFAIK, there isn't bus service.

From Ponferrada to Columbrianos and from Ponferrada to Fuentes Nuevas bus service is operated by TUP: www.tupbus.com

Ponferrada-Fuentes Nuevas-Camponaraya-Cacabelos-Pieros-Villafranca del Bierzo. Routes among these towns are many by Alsa. Between Ponferrada and Fuentes Nuevas, TUP (see above) may be a better option. Between Ponferrada and Cacabelos, AUPSA (www.aupsa) is another option.

Villafranca del Bierzo-Pereje-Trabadelo-Ambasmestas-Vega de Valcarce. Routes among these towns are made by González de la Riva: www.gonzalezdelariva.es (not daily). From Villafranca del Bierzo to Ambasmestas (just that route; i.e.: without including towns in between), Alsa (www.alsa.es/en) offers daily service.

González de la Riva offers too on demand service among Vega de Valcarce, Ruitelán and Herrerías. They also offer on demand service among Vega de Valcarce, La Faba and La Laguna (de Castilla). Take a look at their web for more info. On demand service must be booked in advance because otherwise the bus doesn't run and it's offered just a few days per week. It may be other requirements for using the on demand bus service; ask on the phone number for booking them or with the bus company for more info and details.

Villafranca del Bierzo-Ambasmestas (next to Vega de Valcarce)-Pedrafita do Cebreiro (roughly 4 kms away from O Cebreiro). Routes among these towns are made by Alsa: www.alsa.es/en

Pedrafita do Cebreiro-O Cebreiro-Liñares-Hospital-Padornelo-Fonfría-Biduedo-Fillobal-Triacastela-San Cristovo-Renche-San Martiño do Real-Samos-Aian-Sarria. Routes among these towns are made by Monbus.es There isn't service on Sundays.

From Sarria to Portomarín, the route is made by Empresa Portomarín: www.empresaportomarin.com

From Portomarín to Palas de Rei, AFAIK, there isn't bus service. Taxi would be an option. Another one, would be to make a -big- detour and to take a bus from Portomarín to Lugo with Empresa Portomarín. And another bus from Lugo to Palas de Rei with Empresa Freire.

Palas de Rei-Arzúa-O Pedrouzo-Santiago de Compostela. Routes among these towns are made by Empresa Freire: www.empresafreire.com

SOME NOTES FOR PEOPLE NEEDING TRANSPORT FOR LONGER STRETCHES THAN THE ONES QUOTED ABOVE:

From Pamplona to Burgos, train is the best option. By bus, Monbus offers service twice a week. Otherwise, you would need to take a bus from Pamplona to Logroño (see above) and another one from Logroño to Burgos (see above).

Those willing to skip the meseta can go from Burgos to León or to Astorga either by train with RENFE (www.renfe.com) or by bus with Alsa (www.alsa.es/en)

If you just want to skip part of the meseta, Burgos to Carrión de los Condes can be made by bus with Alsa.

Those willing to skip part of the route and continue from O Cebreiro could take a bus (with Alsa) to nearby Pedrafita do Cebreiro (roughly 4 kms away) from: Burgos, León, Villandangos del Páramo, Hospital de Órbigo, Astorga and Ponferrada in addition to the routes to Pedrafita do Cebreiro already quoted above.

Those willing to skip part of the route and continue from Sarria:

• There are trains to Sarria from Logroño, Burgos, León, Astorga and Ponferrada.
• Bus (with Alsa: www.alsa.es/en) to Lugo from either León, Villandangos del Páramo, Hospital de Órbigo, Astorga, Ponferrada or Villafranca del Bierzo. And bus from Lugo to Sarria with Monbus (www.monbus.es)

 

[SabsP]

Castilian...thank you!
What a excellent source of info.
Looking forward to such a list for the Sanabres....

 

[peregrina2000]

Castilian, you and whariwharangi have been so helpful with all the transportation information you provide. This is a great resource, thanks so much! I've made it a sticky to keep it on the radar screen, thanks again.

 

[nreyn12]

Excellent resource! I am just going to add an opinion on traveling into and out of Burgos. Personally I prefer the bus, since the bus station is just a few minutes' walk from the center. The train station is located about five kilometers from the center. I have heard there is a bus from the station to the center (can anyone confirm?), or you can walk or take a taxi.

 

[Castilian]

Looking forward to such a list for the Sanabres....

www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/public-transport-along-the-camino-sanabrés.42134

I have heard there is a bus from the station to the center (can anyone confirm?),

Yes, several urban bus lines link the train station with the city center. Check the departure times/frequency once on the ground.

 

[peregrina2000]

Excellent resource! I am just going to add an opinion on traveling into and out of Burgos. Personally I prefer the bus, since the bus station is just a few minutes' walk from the center. The train station is located about five kilometers from the center. I have heard there is a bus from the station to the center (can anyone confirm?), or you can walk or take a taxi.

I was just in Burgos in June and had to get to the train station. I had plenty of time so I decided to start walking and see how it went. It is a totally uninspiring, uninspired walk, but hey.

There are buses, though, http://www.aytoburgos.es/movilidad-...me-lleve-a-la-estacion-de-trenes-rosa-de-lima.

 

[Annapolis]

Hi Castilian,
My wife and I will walk from Burgos to Astorga, is there a bus/train from Astorga to Tricastela? We want to continue our walk to SDC from Tricastela. What do you recommend?

Thanks,
Butch

 

[Deleted member 3000]

From Sarria:

 

[whariwharangi]

Hi Castilian,
My wife and I will walk from Burgos to Astorga, is there a bus/train from Astorga to Tricastela? We want to continue our walk to SDC from Tricastela. What do you recommend?

Thanks,
Butch

Renfe train or ALSA bus from Astorga to Ponferrada.

ALSA bus from Ponferrada to Piedrafita do Cebreiro.

Monbus bus from Pedrafita do Cebreiro to Triacastela.

OR

ALSA bus from Ponferrada to Lugo.

Monbus bus from Lugo to Sarria.

Monbus bus from Sarria to Triacastela.

Bus goes once daily each way from Pedrafita do Cebreiro to Sarria.

 

[Annapolis]

Renfe train or ALSA bus from Astorga to Ponferrada.

ALSA bus from Ponferrada to Piedrafita do Cebreiro.

Monbus bus from Pedrafita do Cebreiro to Triacastela.

OR

ALSA bus from Ponferrada to Lugo.

Monbus bus from Lugo to Sarria.

Monbus bus from Sarria to Triacastela.

Bus goes once daily each way from Pedrafita do Cebreiro to Sarria.

Thank you for the quick reply.

 

[Patrick O'Shea]

I want to thank all of you who have provided quite excellent information about public transport on the Camino. I want to walk the Camino again later this year, but will stay a couple of days in some cities, so I can explore them more fully. What I need to know is if one can buy bus or train tickets from overseas from Renfe or for instance Autobuses Jimenez or Alsa. The reason I am asking is that:
a. I plan to take the bus from Belorado to Burgos which should be Autobuses Jimenez, so need to know if I can purchase a ticket in advance from them.
b. On one day, I will be going from Carrion de los Condes to El Burgo Ranero, and note only one bus from Carrion de los Condes to Sahagun, where I would have to take a train from Sahagun to El Burgo Ranero. It appears possible with a bus which should be at 11:51 and then a train at 17:43, but do not want to face full transport with no chance to buy a ticket on the day I need to travel.
c.I also want to take one day to travel by train from Leon to Astorga which should be on Renfe Viajaros, and it appears two trains per day. Optional will be bus but unsure who is the operator.
d. I will also go by train from Astorga to Ponferrada, and again two trains per day by Renfe Viajeros, or supposedly an hourly bus by ALSA with a stop in Bernbibre.
e Most difficult is Ponferrada to Sarria where there is only one train a day supposedly at 06:44, excluding Sundays.
f. So I really think I must buy tickets in advance, so does anyone know if I can, and how far in advance can I buy the tickets???? Any information would be most helpful.

Thanks in advance,

Patrick O'Shea

 

[Patrick O'Shea]

I have now discovered that as far as trains go, one cannot book Renfe till about 60 days ahead of the date of travel, and that also applies for buses on ALSA. I cannot, however, find out information about Autobuses Jimenez, even when I write to their contact e-mail in Spanish. Does anyone know how to contact Autobuses Jimenez without calling them by phone????

Appreciate any help you can give.

Patrick