Travel hubs on the Norte

[MaxHelado]

Hi, All
I am planning a walk on the Camino del Norte. I will start at Bilbao or Santander and then walk until my (old) legs get tired and then return, maybe next year, to walk some more. I have no specific time restriction but there is a good chance that I will be called back to the UK after a week or maybe two.
The question: can anyone suggest good travel hubs where I should consider stopping and restarting? Places that offer decent train/bus/plane connections to Madrid or Santiago or Santander or Bilbao or places I haven't even thought of? From there I would fly back to the UK.
Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Tincatinker]

Hmm, Santander and Gijon/Oviedo/Asturias airport are the likely international connections. The FEVE provides a link all along the Norte. Search RENFE Cercanias for timetables and routes.
Happy planning

 

[MaxHelado]

Hmm, Santander and Gijon/Oviedo/Asturias airport are the likely international connections. The FEVE provides a link all along the Norte. Search RENFE Cercanias for timetables and routes.
Happy planning

Brilliant!
I did not know about FEVE and this looks like it will be perfect plus a very beautiful journey!

 

[Drumbo_hiker]

@MaxHelado, Alsa also have a coach route from Irun to Santiago that pretty much tracks the coast, including a stop at Santander airport (https://www.alsa.com/en). I had occasional to use it in 2019 from Oviedo to Santiago when I had to return home to UK at no notice. Not as interesting as the FEVE. but faster, if that's what's needed.

 

[MaxHelado]

@MaxHelado, Alsa also have a coach route from Irun to Santiago that pretty much tracks the coast, including a stop at Santander airport (https://www.alsa.com/en). I had occasional to use it in 2019 from Oviedo to Santiago when I had to return home to UK at no notice. Not as interesting as the FEVE. but faster, if that's what's needed.

Thank you.
With a train line and a bus route I should be able to work something out!

 

[StephenChad]

You can get the ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao or Santander

 

[MaxHelado]

You can get the ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao or Santander

Thanks, Stephen, that too might be a possibility though the crossing is not quick. 30 hours I think.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Brilliant!
I did not know about FEVE and this looks like it will be perfect plus a very beautiful journey!

I used the Feve with my bike twice this year as I returned to the ferry at Bibao. It's so simple, though slow – many stops, but fun. You just buy your ticket and wheel your bike on.

 

[StephenChad]

Thanks, Stephen, that too might be a possibility though the crossing is not quick. 30 hours I think.

Yes, two nights and a day. You arrive at about 8am. A good chance of seeing dolphins, no effective WiFi and a generally relaxing way to travel.