Santiago to Santander

[Staggerlee]

Hello everybody.

Long time lurker finally "coming out".
Should I complete the Camino del Norte this May, I will need to get back to Santander within a day or two to catch the ferry back to blighty.
It appears that the options are a couple of daily (10 hour!!) direct busses or a two day epic aboard the FEVE train.
Does anyone have any experience, comments or advice on this journey?
Also, is it necessary to book tickets in advance?

Cheers.

Stag.

 

[Tia Valeria]

We have made this journey several times using the bus to Lugo (Freire) and then Ribadeo (Monbus), then the FEVE to Oviedo and again to Santander. Our time frame has a allowed a stop in each of these places. However we did investigate a mix of bus and train. ALSA from Santiago to Oviedo, then FEVE from Oviedo to Santander. We do not have ALSA times to hand but the FEVE runs twice a day direct from Oviedo to Santander at 9.05 arr 13.46 and 15.35 arr 20.17.
If there is an early bus to Oviedo you could make it in one day maybe. If you want to break the jouney there is the pilgrim friendly Hostal Oviedo opposite the FEVE/RENFE train station, entrance on Calle Uria and takes bookings. The bus and train stations are only about 500mts apart on in Oviedo and both stations have a cafe.

ALSA tickets can be pre-booked but FEVE tickets are on the day only.

 

[Staggerlee]

Many Thanks Tia Valeria

 

[miguel_gp]

Hi, you can do this with Renfe as well with a change of trains. Not sure what date you intend to travel but here is an example for end of May.

 

[Staggerlee]

That's great Miguel, thanks.