But then you have to get to the Santiago airport, and then when you arrive in Madrid, you're at the airport and have to get into town. Plus going through security. Plus getting in precarious little metal can that flies thousands of meters above the land. Plus the extra emissions.....I personally like to fly to Madrid from SCQ (that's the airport in Santiago, how they came up with that one I have no clue.) This is of course after taking the bus from Fin (around 7 euros). (sit on the right side of the bus for the best views of the Coast...)
I have been surprised and pleased with how competitive the costs are in the air compared to the train. Between Ryan Air and Iberia, I am usually able to find a flight for about 60 euro. The airport is small and super easy. You can taxi to the airport for 23 euro or so, or there is bus service available too, which I think you can actually pick up from the Santiago Intermodal Station which is where the bus from Fin. drops you off anyways... buen camino! As others have mentioned, there are lots of options.
By the time I'm bailing Spain I am usually on day 89 of my 90 days in the EU legally, so in a bit of a hurry. Pretty sure planes are safer than trains. I like the people watching at airports, and am kind of an airplane lover. Like I said, so many options.But then you have to get to the Santiago airport, and then when you arrive in Madrid, you're at the airport and have to get into town. Plus going through security. Plus getting in precarious a little metal can that flies thousands of meters above the land. Plus the extra emissions.....
I guess it is more convenient if your connecting to an international flight, but still.
I like the train. More relaxing.
Interestingly, the Rome to Rio link does not show transportation options going through Santiago. At least what it brought up when I clicked on it. Instead it directs you to take a bus to A Curuna for public options. Which probably works just as well, maybe better than going to SantiagoRome2Rio.com is a good starting point for finding transportation options between two places.
To get from Fisterra to Madrid you need to return to Santiago then take a bus, train, or plane to Madrid.
We booked a morning train to Madrid from Santiago well in advance of our trip. Turns out there wasn’t a bus early enough from Fisterra to get us back to S. Expensive taxi got us there. Just check connections before booking.There are lots of threads on this, if you put Finisterre or Fisterra (not Finesterria) into the search function. But the most important fact is to know that you have to go back to Santiago to then get a good connection to Madrid. From Santiago, you’ve got all the options - train, bus, plane, bla bla car even!
...from SCQ (that's the airport in Santiago, how they came up with that one I have no clue.)
I did the same but knew that I won't get the bus from Finisterre this early in the morning. I made arrangement with the husband of my hospitalera of Finisterre albergue to take us back to SdC. Whooping €90 (I think taxi would have been much more).We booked a morning train to Madrid from Santiago well in advance of our trip. Turns out there wasn’t a bus early enough from Fisterra to get us back to S. Expensive taxi got us there. Just check connections before booking.
How in advance should I book train? From Madrid to Sarria and Santiago to Madrid? Thank you so much, my auto correct keeps putting finesteria vera Fisterra . I'm traveling alone and I am getting a bit nervous....not at all like me. Thank you so much!!!We booked a morning train to Madrid from Santiago well in advance of our trip. Turns out there wasn’t a bus early enough from Fisterra to get us back to S. Expensive taxi got us there. Just check connections before booking.
I understand your personal preference, though I find airports much less interesting than the cities they serve.Pretty sure planes are safer than trains. I like the people watching at airports, and am kind of an airplane lover. Like I said, so many options.
LOL.... As I said above, my wife and I took a car from Finisterre to SdC. Substantial part of the trip (esp in the beginning) mimicked in reverse our walk and all-in-all it was fun to watch the familiar places "fly by" and to cover the distance that took us 4 days to walk (3.5 if one wants to be 'technical') in 1 hour.I have flown home once to the UK after reaching Santiago and found it a jarring culture shock after many weeks of slow walking.
From Santiago to Fisterra is 3 day walk possible?LOL.... As I said above, my wife and I took a car from Finisterre to SdC. Substantial part of the trip (esp in the beginning) mimicked in reverse our walk and all-in-all it was fun to watch the familiar places "fly by" and to cover the distance that took us 4 days to walk (3.5 if one wants to be 'technical') in 1 hour.
Yes. My first time I did it in three days. It's 90 km, so that's an average of 30 km ~18.5 miles per day. On subsequent trips I took 4 days which was nicer.From Santiago to Fisterra is 3 day walk possible?
Yes, but it's 90 km and a 4 day walk would be more enjoyable. I much prefer the train from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid over the airplane.From Santiago to Fisterra is 3 day walk possible?
And easier on my conscience after flying from Alaska to Madrid. Buen CaminoWhile I accept that surface travel is not practical for most inter-continental journeys, internal flights in small countries (by US standards) are less easy to justify in terms of environmental impacts. Some EU countries are considering whether to follow France's lead in outlawing internal flights where there is an equivalent high speed rail option of less than four hours.
Absolutely. It's a very straightforward walk. I actually ended up doing it to the lighthouse in 2 days (unplanned) the first time and with my partner to Cee in 2 leaving 14km for day 3. It's the perfect way to wind down especially after a longer camino.From Santiago to Fisterra is 3 day walk possible?
That is interesting and strange! Admittedly, I didn't delve into the options on Rome2Rio before posting the link because in the past it has shown options via Santiago.Interestingly, the Rome to Rio link does not show transportation options going through Santiago. At least what it brought up when I clicked on it. Instead it directs you to take a bus to A Curuna for public options. Which probably works just as well, maybe better than going to Santiago
Google map directions show the options going through Santiago.
Eight months of research condensed down to 16 minutes of entertainment.I personally like to fly to Madrid from SCQ (that's the airport in Santiago, how they came up with that one I have no clue.)
Yes absolutely. As those above have mentioned its much nicer to break it to 4... just "easier on yourself"From Santiago to Fisterra is 3 day walk possible?
This year on June 22, at or near the solstice, sunset at Finisterre was at 10:19. Finisterre is at the western side of Spain and Spain used to be in a time zone an hour earlier so it has late sunsets. Due to a political alliance about 85 years ago Madrid decided to swap over to Berlin time.By like May or June, the sun is starting to set late.
2) Cee (39.4 km)
yah but how long have you been walking already? Feeling fit?UCH!!!!!
I totally agree with you, but I would urge everyone to be open minded about what their own limitations and strengths are. I had been walking caminos for more than a decade when I met two Frenchmen on day four on the Levante. They were the only other pilgrims I had seen since leaving Valencia, and we hit it off, even though I spoke minimal French and they spoke mnimal English. I knew that if I wanted to stay with them I would need to “up my game”. And I decided to go for it. I walked (and more importantly enjoyed) distances that I had thought were well above my pay grade, mid 30s to 40+. It was eye-opening, and in subsequent years, I walked much longer stages and found I totally enjoyed it. Now in my mid -70s, I’m scaling back, but I am so grateful that someone showed me by example that I really did enjoy walking long stages and that my body was totally able to do it.It's just as important to know one's limitations as much as one's strengths
I couldn't agree more. I think this is true of many aspects of the Camino including carrying a pack. The terrain plays a big part on longer days. The example given above of walking to Cee may sound daunting but from Hospital it is all basically down hill. A very different prospect than finishing the day with a walk up to o Cebreiro.My only point here is that before you close yourself off from a longer stage, give it a try and see if you find it as liberating as I did.
Now that is INSPIRING!!!!! Thank you. I'm 61 and I do want to listen to my body, but I also want to challenge my body. Reading your story inspired me!!! Buen CaminoI totally agree with you, but I would urge everyone to be open minded about what their own limitations and strengths are. I had been walking caminos for more than a decade when I met two Frenchmen on day four on the Levante. They were the only other pilgrims I had seen since leaving Valencia, and we hit it off, even though I spoke minimal French and they spoke mnimal English. I knew that if I wanted to stay with them I would need to “up my game”. And I decided to go for it. I walked (and more importantly enjoyed) distances that I had thought were well above my pay grade, mid 30s to 40+. It was eye-opening, and in subsequent years, I walked much longer stages and found I totally enjoyed it. Now in my mid -70s, I’m scaling back, but I am so grateful that someone showed me by example that I really did enjoy walking long stages and that my body was totally able to do it.
My only point here is that before you close yourself off from a longer stage, give it a try and see if you find it as liberating as I did.
I was 63 or 64 when I walked with those French guys. I probably never would have tried out longer distances if it hadn’t been for them. One of the hardest things for me these days is to calculate how much I need to scale back from one year to the next, since I’ll be 75 next year. The trajectory is only in one direction, unfortunately, and on the more untraveled caminos it’s harder because there just aren’t as many options for where to stop.I'm 61 and I do want to listen to my body, but I also want to challenge my body.
I am so very excited and cannot wait. I am already training despite my start date of 5/5/25. Worries about sleeping accommodations, chose not to pay for travel company. This is a very personal/spiritual pilgrimage for me. Praying for direction so THANK YOU so much for your words, they encourage meI was 63 or 64 when I walked with those French guys. I probably never would have tried out longer distances if it hadn’t been for them. One of the hardest things for me these days is to calculate how much I need to scale back from one year to the next, since I’ll be 75 next year. The trajectory is only in one direction, unfortunately, and on the more untraveled caminos it’s harder because there just aren’t as many options for where to stop.
You can never start "training" too early, and you may find that you incorporate regular walking (short and long distances) into your everyday lifestyle.I am so very excited and cannot wait. I am already training despite my start date of 5/5/25.
If you are leaving SJPDP on 5/5/25? May see you there.I am so very excited and cannot wait. I am already training despite my start date of 5/5/25. Worries about sleeping accommodations, chose not to pay for travel company. This is a very personal/spiritual pilgrimage for me. Praying for direction so THANK YOU so much for your words, they encourage me
Oh how exciting if we do meet!! Looking forward to making friends.If you are leaving SJPDP on 5/5/25? May see you there.
My intent is to start then, have reservations as far as Zubiri, and after that? well? see what the Camino provides as I get closer to Pamplona. and in all honesty? Will take each day as it comes. While on the Camino I can better plan a day or two in advance or just see what I can find when I get there. Trying very hard not to set any expectations and just see what unfolds.
Sounds like a plan... but as my brother once told me, if you wanna hear God laugh? Tell him your plans.... long story behind that... but that would be fun... Buen CaminoOh how exciting if we do meet!! Looking forward to making friends.
Oh that's right praise God! Lol I start in Sarria walking to Fisterra, God willing. His plans, His timing. Buen Camino p@60LifeChange @Martita
LOL I think you guys will have to postpone your 'date' cause you're roughly 700km apart on your start points
But yes The Good Lord works in strange and mysterious ways so who knows
Good luck and Buen Camino to you both
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