Santiago to Barcelona

[702Jenn]

Hey all! I have a family trip starting in Barcelona on June 22 2023. Considering walking the Camino Portugues sometime before that. What is the simplest way to go from Santiago to Barcelona? Plane, train, combo? I don't mind paying a little more to avoid some headaches.

 

[trecile]

Rome2Rio.com is always a good place to start. It looks like flying is probably the best option.

Rome2rio

Discover how to get anywhere by searching plane, train, bus, car and ferry routes

www.rome2rio.com

 

[702Jenn]

Rome2Rio.com is always a good place to start. It looks like flying is probably the best option.

Rome2rio

Discover how to get anywhere by searching plane, train, bus, car and ferry routes

www.rome2rio.com

Yes, I saw that article, thanks for the reply!

 

[Vacajoe]

Plane is likely faster and cheaper, but the fast train (SdC-Madrid-Barcelona) has its benefits! You’ll see a great deal of the northern Spain countryside, be able to eat/drink while enroute, depart/arrive from the city centers, and generally have a much more relaxed journey. And of money is an issue, there is actually a direct train at a very slow 13 hours . This latter train follows along much of the Camino Frances route, so you can revel at the fact that it takes 9 hours to cover the 30+ days you would have walked from Pamplona

 

[ayidinmokum]

Plane is likely faster and cheaper, but the fast train (SdC-Madrid-Barcelona) has its benefits! You’ll see a great deal of the northern Spain countryside, be able to eat/drink while enroute, depart/arrive from the city centers, and generally have a much more relaxed journey. And of money is an issue, there is actually a direct train at a very slow 13 hours . This latter train follows along much of the Camino Frances route, so you can revel at the fact that it takes 9 hours to cover the 30+ days you would have walked from Pamplona

I did this years ago after spending 2+ months walking from BCN to SdC and even at 13 hours the experience was both jarring and a highlight of my trip, if you arent in a rush and enjoy being on trains, highly recommend the train.

 

[lindam]

If you are wanting to fly, Vueling (Spain's discount national carrier) has frequent direct flights from Santiago to Barcelona. In my experience the cost is reasonable and flight schedules are reliable.

 

[David L]

Hey all! I have a family trip starting in Barcelona on June 22 2023. Considering walking the Camino Portugues sometime before that. What is the simplest way to go from Santiago to Barcelona? Plane, train, combo? I don't mind paying a little more to avoid some headaches.

I have flown from Santiago to Barcelona and have taken the train - Santiago-Madrid-Barcelona. I much prefer the train, it is high-speed rail, less hassle than the airports, and is a great way to see the countryside. It does take a few hours longer, though.

 

[702Jenn]

I have flown from Santiago to Barcelona and have taken the train - Santiago-Madrid-Barcelona. I much prefer the train, it is high-speed rail, less hassle than the airports, and is a great way to see the countryside. It does take a few hours longer, though.

Thank you for your response. I'm leaning towards train as well, it sounds good. You only had to make the one transfer in Madrid? It looks like the train lines connect at the airports?

 

[David L]

Thank you for your response. I'm leaning towards train as well, it sounds good. You only had to make the one transfer in Madrid? It looks like the train lines connect at the airports?

Yes, that was the most inconvenient part of a great trip. The Santiago train arrives at one train station and the Barce train leaves from another. It's an easy cab ride and the trains leave for Barcelona every 30 minutes (if I recall, could be an hour), so there's no rush to get across town. I love high-speed rail, so my input is biased

 

[Grousedoctor]

Hey all! I have a family trip starting in Barcelona on June 22 2023. Considering walking the Camino Portugues sometime before that. What is the simplest way to go from Santiago to Barcelona? Plane, train, combo? I don't mind paying a little more to avoid some headaches.

Although I have taken a direct flight between SdC and Barcelona, I far more prefer the train.

Off topic a bit, but once you and your family are in Barcelona, getting admission tickets in advance online is a must for places like the inside of Guadi’s Sagrada Familia or the Picasso Museum.

 

[Old Kiwi]

I usually fly, but now that I have heard about the slow train, I will take that next time. 13 hours of comfortable sightseeing.

 

[Vacajoe]

Don’t forget the wine, cheese, olives, bread, and chorizo…