Transfer from Finisterre to Madrid

[Martita]

Hi guys
This my first time in Spain
My first Camino from Sarria to Finesterria.

What's the best way to get from Finesterria to Madrid?

 

[Tincatinker]

Bus, Fisterra to Santiago de Compostela. Bus or train to Madrid. Doable in one day with an early start. Timetables should be available about one month in advance

 

[peregrina2000]

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!

 

[Damien Reynolds]

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.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

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.

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 guess it is more convenient if your connecting to an international flight, but still.

I like the train. More relaxing.
But I agree, lots of choices, and the OP he should be aware of everything.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

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.

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.

 

[trecile]

Rome2Rio.com is a good starting point for finding transportation options between two places.

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Fisterra/Madrid

To get from Fisterra to Madrid you need to return to Santiago then take a bus, train, or plane to Madrid.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Rome2Rio.com is a good starting point for finding transportation options between two places.

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Fisterra/Madrid

To get from Fisterra to Madrid you need to return to Santiago then take a bus, train, or plane to Madrid.

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.

 

[margotwolfe]

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!

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.

 

[CWBuff]

...from SCQ (that's the airport in Santiago, how they came up with that one I have no clue.)

Well for starters partially because SDC was already taken.
Williamson-Sodas privately owned but public use airport in Wayne County NY USA
As if that's not enough there is also IATA assignment of the same to SandCreek in Gyana

Back to regular scheduled program

 

[CWBuff]

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 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).
Regardless, do make sure your timing is correct. Considering that the bus and train station are one & the same in SdC its easy to work it all out.
Roughly 4 1/2 hours on the train to MAD Chammartin
Good luck and Buen Camino

 

[dkiser]

One of the nice thing about taking a high speed train from Santiago to Madrid (about 3&1/2 hrs I believe) is that from the main train station in Madrid it is easy to get connections or cab to the parts of town you may want to stay in. There is a lot to see in Madrid! And it’s very walkable. But obviously this is only if you have a few extra days to stay in Madrid. We went to a flamingo performance. The cab ride to the airport for us was about a half an hour from where we stayed.

 

[Martita]

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!!!

 

[Tandem Graham]

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.

I understand your personal preference, though I find airports much less interesting than the cities they serve.
Old railway stations float my boat!

However, I might challenge the comparison on safety between train and plane journeys.

It is true that there are more fatalities *per passenger mile* for global total train journeys than for global total plane journeys. But when measured *per passenger plane/train journey* (rather than mile), then trains are safer. This is because take off and landing are the least safe aspects of air travel. So if you are taking a relatively short journey, then perhaps trains are safer.
Secondly, train accident statistics usually conflate passenger fatalities with non passenger fatalities (including suicides and level crossing incidents). So passenger fatalities maybe represent fewer still.

That all said, in 2013 SdC was the location for one of the worst accidents in modern European rail history, when a high speed train (Madrid-Ferrol) took a curve at twice the assigned speed limit, resulting in derailment of most carriages and multiple passenger deaths and injuries. The driver was later prosecuted and many extra safety measures have been introduced (and not just in Spain) as a consequence of this terrible event.
Certain camino routes (including the Sanabres) pass by the site of this incident in the suburbs of SdC, where flowers are still frequently left by bereaved families and friends.

While 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.

I have flown home once to the UK after reaching Santiago and found it a jarring culture shock after many weeks of slow walking. Every other time I have chosen to make my way (by train, bus or bike) to Santander or Bilbao for a slow comfortable boat home.

Happy planning and Buen Camino!

 

[CWBuff]

I have flown home once to the UK after reaching Santiago and found it a jarring culture shock after many weeks of slow walking.

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.

 

[Martita]

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.

From Santiago to Fisterra is 3 day walk possible?

 

[trecile]

From Santiago to Fisterra is 3 day walk possible?

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.

 

[JerryStroebele]

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.

While 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.

And easier on my conscience after flying from Alaska to Madrid. Buen Camino

 

[Blister Bill]

Hi, bus to SdC. I'd recommend the high speed train to Madrid. It's all in the same location (bus & train) If you choose to fly then a local bus goes from right outside the joint station and cost @€2. All very easy. Buen camino!

 

[Blister Bill]

From Santiago to Fisterra is 3 day walk possible?

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.

 

[trecile]

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.

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.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

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.)

Eight months of research condensed down to 16 minutes of entertainment.

The Maddening Mess of Airport Codes!
YouTube video id: jfOUVYQnuhw

 

[CWBuff]

From Santiago to Fisterra is 3 day walk possible?

Yes absolutely. As those above have mentioned its much nicer to break it to 4... just "easier on yourself"

Basically my wife who met me in SdC was joining me on this little venture so I didnt want to subject her to any long distances straight from the gate. (to be honest after couple of 30+km days on Frances I also vowed that those distances are simply not for me, so I wasn't giving myself any arguments on that either)

in any case we did
26 km day 1
24 - day 2
22 - day 3 (my Birthday) and
13 - day 4 (really being lazy but at the same - I was now "one year older"....)

Good luck and Buen Camino

 

[Damien Reynolds]

3 day itineraries to Fin...

Depending on the time of year, most importantly when sunset occurs, may influence your choice in itineraries to Fin. Personally, I'm not going to bother going to Fin unless I can watch the sunset from the end of the earth, surrounded by believers... perfect ending.

By like May or June, the sun is starting to set late. In which case I may choose an itinerary like this:
1) Negrieira (20.6 km)
2) Oliveiroa (33.6 km)
3) Fisterra (32.2 km)

and then the walk up the hill on day 3 after settling in and going to the grocery store.

If it is later in the year, like October, or Nov, the sun starts to set early. I don't want to walk that distance and have then hustle up the hill in time to see the sunset so I do this:

1) Vilaserio (33.3 km)
2) Cee (39.4 km)
3) Fisterra (11.6 km)

...

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

By like May or June, the sun is starting to set late.

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.

 

[CWBuff]

2) Cee (39.4 km)

UCH!!!!!

 

[Damien Reynolds]

UCH!!!!!

yah but how long have you been walking already? Feeling fit?

 

[CWBuff]

Sorry can't do 40km. Fit or not.
It's just as important to know one's limitations as much as one's strengths

 

[peregrina2000]

It's just as important to know one's limitations as much as one's strengths

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.

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.

 

[Blister Bill]

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 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.

 

[Martita]

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.

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 Camino

 

[peregrina2000]

I'm 61 and I do want to listen to my body, but I also want to challenge my body.

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.

 

[Martita]

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 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

 

[trecile]

I am so very excited and cannot wait. I am already training despite my start date of 5/5/25.

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 see that you are planning to start in Sarria. It shouldn't be too busy on that stretch in early May. It's quite easy to reserve your own accommodations if you know how far you can/want to walk each day. Or you will be able to book a day or two ahead, or just arrive in town and find a bed in a municipal (Xunta) or private alberge.

 

[60LifeChange]

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

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.

 

[Martita]

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.

Oh how exciting if we do meet!! Looking forward to making friends.

 

[60LifeChange]

Oh how exciting if we do meet!! Looking forward to making friends.

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 Camino

 

[CWBuff]

@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

 

[Martita]

@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

Oh that's right praise God! Lol I start in Sarria walking to Fisterra, God willing. His plans, His timing. Buen Camino p