Travelling from the UK without flying

[Sam Hardman]

I am planning to walk the Camino Portuguese this year, hopefully Lisbon - Santiago. Travellng from the UK means a lot flights as there is not direct flight from where I live in Scotland. I feel a bit guilty about this since flying is terrible for the environment and would love to find a practical alternative. I suspect it‘s not possible but does anyone know of any reasonably priced way to get from the UK to Lisbon and from Santiago to the UK which avoids planes and isn’t really expensive? Flying would be around £300 so anything around this price would be fine.

 

[spursfan]

Dream on - 43 hours on the bus!

Rome2rio

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

www.rome2rio.com

 

[Tincatinker]

It’s do-able by train and careful planning would keep costs down. Likewise a train / ferry combination via Plymouth & Santander. The argument about the net carbon costs of aviation versus railways is not one for this forum.

 

[Bradypus]

Cheapest but slowest would be bus. Megabus or National Express to London. Flixbus or ALSA to Madrid. ALSA to Lisbon. Then returning Santiago - Madrid - London. Flixbus is very cheap.

Faster option would be train but that is quite expensive on standard tickets. Interrail have changed the passes recently to allow 4, 5 or 7 days travel within a one month period. That might be worthwhile but check carefully for additional reservation fees that boost the prices.

 

[Former member 49149]

Sam, I just found the same option as above when I looked a moment ago. It depends how serious your commitment to your carbon footprint is. No gain without pain, as they say. I attach a couple of screenshots, where I used Glasgow as the starting point. I find that if I swallow the consequences of a choice it can make the experience palatable., I mean, who really loves the stress of taking flights? You could well be a trendsetter! I have a little further to travel, based in Dublin, but it may come, the moment of decision to choose to travel by sea and train bus. Good luck as you weigh up your options.

 

[Sam Hardman]

Cheapest but slowest would be bus. Megabus or National Express to London. Flixbus or ALSA to Madrid. ALSA to Lisbon. Then returning Santiago - Madrid - London. Flixbus is very cheap.

Faster option would be train but that is quite expensive on standard tickets. Interrail have changed the passes recently to allow 4, 5 or 7 days travel within a one month period. That might be worthwhile but check carefully for additional reservation fees that boost the prices.

Are interrail tickets available for anyone. I hadn’t looked into that because I thought they were only for students. Would be perfect though!

 

[Sam Hardman]

Dream on - 43 hours on the bus!

Rome2rio

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

www.rome2rio.com

If that was a train I wouldn’t mind, but 43 hours on a bus doesn’t sound fun!

 

[Bradypus]

Are interrail tickets available for anyone. I hadn’t looked into that because I thought they were only for students. Would be perfect though!

Any age or occupation these days. I bought myself one a few years ago as a 50th birthday present and went all the way to the Iranian border and back from the UK. Then another one later to go watch the northern lights in the far north of Sweden. And used a few spare days to travel home via Bayonne and Barcelona

 

[Sam Hardman]

It’s do-able by train and careful planning would keep costs down. Likewise a train / ferry combination via Plymouth & Santander. The argument about the net carbon costs of aviation versus railways is not one for this forum.

I‘m not trying to start an argument. I have flown to the camino plenty of times and it might be the only practical way. If there was a good alternative I‘d like to know about it though. Especially if someone has experience of dong it over land.

 

[Bradypus]

If there was a good alternative I‘d like to know about it though.

Certainly doable but more time consuming and expensive than flying. I am wondering how you came by a figure of £300 for return travel from Scotland. Unless you are tied to school holiday periods it is probably possible to cut a fair bit off that.

If it is any consolation to you in your planning my wife has twice travelled overland from Wales to Thailand via Russia and China and a few other countries that happened to be in the way- and the same coming back again. On the second trip she also included Korea and Japan. All without flying. Much easier to get to Spain and back

 

[Sam Hardman]

Any age or occupation these days. I bought myself one a few years ago as a 50th birthday present and went all the way to the Iranian border and back from the UK. Then another one later to go watch the northern lights in the far north of Sweden. And used a few spare days to travel home via Bayonne and Barcelona

That’s amazing! I will definitely look into this. Thanks for the suggestion

 

[Sam Hardman]

Certainly doable but more time consuming and expensive than flying. I am wondering how you came by a figure of £300 for return travel from Scotland. Unless you are tied to school holiday periods it is probably possible to cut a fair bit off that.

If it is any consolation to you in your planning my wife has twice travelled overland from Wales to Thailand via Russia and China and a few other countries that happened to be in the way- and the same coming back again. On the second trip she also included Korea and Japan. All without flying. Much easier to get to Spain and back

I live in Aberdeen and flights are usually quite pricy from here. Then there are two bank holidays in July (only for Aberdeen for some reason) and I was hoping to travel over these dates to get the most time off work possible. The cheapest I found using skyscanner was £265 I think, via Dublin.

Travelling overland to China must have been an amazing adventure!

 

[Turga]

You could try to explore this site:

London to Spain by train 2024 | Times, fares, tickets

Train times, fares & how to buy train tickets from London to Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Alicante by trainn. UK to Spain without flying! The train is an affordable environmentally-friendly alternative.

www.seat61.com

 

[BarbaraW]

It's most certainly do-able, though coming from Scotland will make it pricier and longer. Have a look at the excellent www.seat61.com which will tell you exactly how to do it. You travel via Spain and down the west coast of France, then take an overnight express train to Lisbon. I've been on this route a few time and it's a great experience. Returning from Santiago it's 2 days to London, with an overnight stop at Hendaye or Irun. Think of it as part of your pilgrimage.
And yes, anyone can get an inter-rail ticket, though do read what the Man in Seat 61 says about them, and it's probably not worth it for this journey.
I hope you enjoy it.

 

[BarbaraW]

Sorry, I meant via Paris! And sorry Turga, I hadn't seen your post as I did a bit of daydreaming on the Seat61 website while I was replying!

 

[Turga]

And sorry Turga, I hadn't seen your post as I did a bit of daydreaming on the Seat61 website while I was replying!

No sweat!

 

[Isca-camigo]

I went to Madrid overland from Exeter via London, Paris and Hendaye in December 2014. I had one advantage not open to you, there was at that time overnight trains to Hendaye from Paris they stopped soon after. I would go with what has been suggested above, go to Hendaye and then take the overnight train to Lisbon. The sooner you book the tickets the more likely you will get really cheap offers. I remember for the trains I got with SNCF in France I was up at 4am one morning waiting for their Xmas train schedules to come on line. Spanish trains are really fiddly to book, they seem to put them online as and when they can be bothered, some services might go up for sale but not others, so you have to keep checking. I am in similar situation at the moment, I am waiting for a overnight train from Santiago to Barcelona to be put up with what else is on at the moment.

Buen Camino

 

[FLEUR]

Worth mentioning again, over 60s can buy a Spanish senior rail card and qualify for good rail travel discounts.

 

[mmmmartin]

Actually, that price doesn't sound so very extravagant. Assume about £70 single to Stansted with Ryanair in the summer, and about the same from Stansted to Spain/Portugal. In February you can do Stansted-Santiago for £14.99 but not in summer. And a similar price to return from Spain to Scotland via Stansted.

You might be able to buy an advance train ticket to London for maybe £40, thence train to Stansted and fly. But I can't see a way of avoiding the fact that Scotland is a long way from Santiago.

But .. beware Ryanair baggage charges. The cheap ticket now includes your carry-on bag that goes not in the overhead lockers but under the seat in front of you. It is limited to 40 x 25 x 20 cms. This is significantly smaller than the 55 x 40 x 25 others allow. If you want to take a rucksack suitable for the Camino you might finish up with a fare almost doubled.

Good luck

 

[Molly Cassidy]

Actually, that price doesn't sound so very extravagant. Assume about £70 single to Stansted with Ryanair in the summer, and about the same from Stansted to Spain/Portugal. In February you can do Stansted-Santiago for £14.99 but not in summer. And a similar price to return from Spain to Scotland via Stansted.

You might be able to buy an advance train ticket to London for maybe £40, thence train to Stansted and fly. But I can't see a way of avoiding the fact that Scotland is a long way from Santiago.

But .. beware Ryanair baggage charges. The cheap ticket now includes your carry-on bag that goes not in the overhead lockers but under the seat in front of you. It is limited to 40 x 25 x 20 cms. This is significantly smaller than the 55 x 40 x 25 others allow. If you want to take a rucksack suitable for the Camino you might finish up with a fare almost doubled.

Good luck

With Ryanair I usually book a 10kg hold bag. Sometimes it's cheaper than the extra carry-on bag and you can take all the things you're not allowed in the cabin.

 

[kitepuppet]

I took the Flixbus option from London to Bayonne last year. 24 hours on the coach was harder on my knees that the descent to Molinaseca!! But it did cost something like £45, booking way in advance.

 

[basquelady]

I am planning to walk the Camino Portuguese this year, hopefully Lisbon - Santiago. Travellng from the UK means a lot flights as there is not direct flight from where I live in Scotland. I feel a bit guilty about this since flying is terrible for the environment and would love to find a practical alternative. I suspect it‘s not possible but does anyone know of any reasonably priced way to get from the UK to Lisbon and from Santiago to the UK which avoids planes and isn’t really expensive? Flying would be around £300 so anything around this price would be fine.

We live in Lancaster and have walked on the Camino 5 times. We have used a combination of train and ferry on each occasion apart from this last year, when we flew from Manchester. We were walking on the Francés and once on the Baztanés so used train and bus to reach starting point each time. I just love working out routes, finding timetables etc but this may not appeal to everyone. It allows me to immerse myself in the Camino before we start walking. Sorry that I can't quote cost, though.

 

[SacredSteps]

Well... you could walk and paddle!

 

[Mike the Peregrinacious]

I am planning to walk the Camino Portuguese this year, hopefully Lisbon - Santiago. Travellng from the UK means a lot flights as there is not direct flight from where I live in Scotland. I feel a bit guilty about this since flying is terrible for the environment and would love to find a practical alternative. I suspect it‘s not possible but does anyone know of any reasonably priced way to get from the UK to Lisbon and from Santiago to the UK which avoids planes and isn’t really expensive? Flying would be around £300 so anything around this price would be fine.

Check out Scotrail Glasgow to Euston then Eurostar from St Pancras to Hendaye (through ticket) then onwards (not sure how). returning from Santiago is a pain unless you fly

 

[FLEUR]

There's a direct train back from Santiago to Hendaye, 11 hrs and stops everywhere, inexpensive though!

From Hendaye or Irun train to Madrid and on to Portugal.

At Hendaye I recommend Askatun.bnb@gmail.com
Very comfortable accommodation owned by a pilgrim. Easy walk from the train station.

 

[Dinkumdigger]

I live in Scotland and am a dedicated non flyer for over 40 years. For my caminos,and I am leaving for another one this week,I go by coach to London then Eurostar and TGV to Bayonne for the Camino Frances.I usually return from Santiago by bus or train to Santander,then ferry to Portsmouth and bus home.
The round trip comes in at less than £300 which is still much more than the cheap flights that folk rave about but I wouldn't get on a plane if you paid me to.

 

[Kanga]

I do like Seat 61. I just went to see if it was still possible to take a boat and train from Australia to Europe. It is, but at a cost and difficult. But still fun looking!

 

[tpmchugh]

I am planning to walk the Camino Portuguese this year, hopefully Lisbon - Santiago. Travellng from the UK means a lot flights as there is not direct flight from where I live in Scotland. I feel a bit guilty about this since flying is terrible for the environment and would love to find a practical alternative. I suspect it‘s not possible but does anyone know of any reasonably priced way to get from the UK to Lisbon and from Santiago to the UK which avoids planes and isn’t really expensive? Flying would be around £300 so anything around this price would be fine.

How about a long drive. Drive to Stranraer, ferry to Belfast, drive to Cork, ferry to Santander then drive to Santiago. Park in railway station (dont know if long term parking allowed but think about that later). Train to Lisboa and start walking. Back in Santiago do the journey in reverse. I know it sounds daft but it is something I have thought about myself apart from the Scotland part. I met a mother and daughter who drove there a couple of years ago parked up in Pamplona, bussed to St Jean and walked back to their car. Obviously they were only on a short walk and they lived in Plymouth but they showed it is doable

 

[DirtAmy]

Another voice for seat61! I've used trains and ferries to Spain many times (mostly for non camino purposes) and that includes when I lived in Galway. While it is infinitely easier now I live much closer to London, I believe it's still all possible within your price range as I've done it cheaper previously. However, I'm often happy to pay more these days as I relish the 'slow travel' that I find to be either the opportune time to finish writing the conference paper or the ultimate ease-in / ease-out of camino life.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Well... you could walk and paddle!

"Old School" Camino?

 

[SEB2]

Hello Sam,
I agree with all those who direct you to the Seat61 website and suggest travelling overnight from Hendaye to Lisbon. Living in Scotland I understand only too well the added difficulty and expense of travelling to the start of my walking the Camino. You don't say where in Scotland you live, but if you are near enough to a station on the Caledonian Sleeper route booking a reclining seat for the journey to London will cost around £48 (less if you have a railcard), get you into London in time to catch the Eurostar to Paris and save the cost of overnight accommodation there. Then the website https://en. oui.sncf allows you to sign in to receive notification of when the cheapest fares for your journey & date become available. I am over 60 so get an extra reduction, but last year was able to travel from Paris to Hendaye first class for £27 with a similar price for the return. Buen Camino!

 

[josephine upton]

I am planning to walk the Camino Portuguese this year, hopefully Lisbon - Santiago. Travellng from the UK means a lot flights as there is not direct flight from where I live in Scotland. I feel a bit guilty about this since flying is terrible for the environment and would love to find a practical alternative. I suspect it‘s not possible but does anyone know of any reasonably priced way to get from the UK to Lisbon and from Santiago to the UK which avoids planes and isn’t really expensive? Flying would be around £300 so anything around this price would be fine.

I live in Cornwall. I always go on the Plymouth-Santander ferry.

 

[Hansel]

I live in Scotland and am a dedicated non flyer for over 40 years. For my caminos,and I am leaving for another one this week,I go by coach to London then Eurostar and TGV to Bayonne for the Camino Frances.I usually return from Santiago by bus or train to Santander,then ferry to Portsmouth and bus home.
The round trip comes in at less than £300 which is still much more than the cheap flights that folk rave about but I wouldn't get on a plane if you paid me to.

Santiago to Santander is a fair bus journey,buen Camino

 

[Hansel]

"Old School" Camino?

I'm hoping to \going to cycle from Irvine in Ayrshire in April,weather permitting,but not trying to fit into summer holidays,!
Bom cahmino.

 

[celticone]

Hello all
In January I booked return Gorebridge to Lisbon return by train. Required an overnight in Paris as I couldn't get to Hendaye to catch the sleeper by 1800 (approx). I used Seat61 extensively and have a Senior Railcard.
So
Day 1: Depart Edinburgh 8am, afternoon Eurostar to Paris. LNER Train approx £29 single Advance Purchase; Eurostar £56 return
Day 2: TGV Paris to Hendaye either 0900 or 1200 approx €42 1st class (2nd class few euros less) single.
Day 2 evening Renfe sleeper to Lisbon Promo+ couchette single fare about €40. Arrive Lisbon 0730.
Coming back much the same with slightly different timings. I planned a few days in Lisbon at end, and trains Santiago to Lisbon not expensive. All fares seem very reasonable but they add up to considerably more than airfare.

Now Covid19 - I have cancelled trip as I am in high risk age group >70. While middling healthy I depend on nicely functioning accommodation and transport links and family goodwill. Additional risks over 4 week period are unknown. So sadly am not now going on Camino Portugues next week.
I got refunds (with smallish fees) from OUI-SNCF and Renfe, but NOT LNER & Eurostar.

In previous years I have gone by train to Hendaye, then wee train to San Sebastian, then bus to Pamplona to start there. It is possible to get from Edinburgh to Bordeaux in one day - did that last year.

I might go to Moray Coast, Scotland for a short fixed base trip instead. Obviously not a Camino.

Buen Camino everyone
Ena

 

[Hansel]

Hello all
In January I booked return Gorebridge to Lisbon return by train. Required an overnight in Paris as I couldn't get to Hendaye to catch the sleeper by 1800 (approx). I used Seat61 extensively and have a Senior Railcard.
So
Day 1: Depart Edinburgh 8am, afternoon Eurostar to Paris. LNER Train approx £29 single Advance Purchase; Eurostar £56 return
Day 2: TGV Paris to Hendaye either 0900 or 1200 approx €42 1st class (2nd class few euros less) single.
Day 2 evening Renfe sleeper to Lisbon Promo+ couchette single fare about €40. Arrive Lisbon 0730.
Coming back much the same with slightly different timings. I planned a few days in Lisbon at end, and trains Santiago to Lisbon not expensive. All fares seem very reasonable but they add up to considerably more than airfare.

Now Covid19 - I have cancelled trip as I am in high risk age group >70. While middling healthy I depend on nicely functioning accommodation and transport links and family goodwill. Additional risks over 4 week period are unknown. So sadly am not now going on Camino Portugues next week.
I got refunds (with smallish fees) from OUI-SNCF and Renfe, but NOT LNER & Eurostar.

In previous years I have gone by train to Hendaye, then wee train to San Sebastian, then bus to Pamplona to start there. It is possible to get from Edinburgh to Bordeaux in one day - did that last year.

I might go to Moray Coast, Scotland for a short fixed base trip instead. Obviously not a Camino.

Buen Camino everyone
Ena

Moray coast,not quite the Camino!
I guess everyone will be watching the news,,
I'm still hoping to go in a few weeks time.
Bill

 

[HERD]

I am planning to walk the Camino Portuguese this year, hopefully Lisbon - Santiago. Travellng from the UK means a lot flights as there is not direct flight from where I live in Scotland. I feel a bit guilty about this since flying is terrible for the environment and would love to find a practical alternative. I suspect it‘s not possible but does anyone know of any reasonably priced way to get from the UK to Lisbon and from Santiago to the UK which avoids planes and isn’t really expensive? Flying would be around £300 so anything around this price would be fine.

What month are you thinking to go?

 

[Jeanne from Washington]

Swimming!

 

[anthikes]

I have done an overland route from Bristol to Bayonne!

GW Train to London
Eurostar to Paris
Metro across Paris (worst part of entire journey!)
SNCF Train to Bayonne

Very affordable option too providing you book well in advance!

 

[Sam Hardman]

What month are you thinking to go?

July I think. I know it's not the best time to be on the Camino because of the heat but that's when I can get the longest stretch of time off from work.

 

[Sam Hardman]

I have done an overland route from Bristol to Bayonne!

GW Train to London
Eurostar to Paris
Metro across Paris (worst part of entire journey!)
SNCF Train to Bayonne

Very affordable option too providing you book well in advance!

How did you find the journey? Was it easy to find all your connections?

 

[Sam Hardman]

Hello all
In January I booked return Gorebridge to Lisbon return by train. Required an overnight in Paris as I couldn't get to Hendaye to catch the sleeper by 1800 (approx). I used Seat61 extensively and have a Senior Railcard.
So
Day 1: Depart Edinburgh 8am, afternoon Eurostar to Paris. LNER Train approx £29 single Advance Purchase; Eurostar £56 return
Day 2: TGV Paris to Hendaye either 0900 or 1200 approx €42 1st class (2nd class few euros less) single.
Day 2 evening Renfe sleeper to Lisbon Promo+ couchette single fare about €40. Arrive Lisbon 0730.
Coming back much the same with slightly different timings. I planned a few days in Lisbon at end, and trains Santiago to Lisbon not expensive. All fares seem very reasonable but they add up to considerably more than airfare.

Now Covid19 - I have cancelled trip as I am in high risk age group >70. While middling healthy I depend on nicely functioning accommodation and transport links and family goodwill. Additional risks over 4 week period are unknown. So sadly am not now going on Camino Portugues next week.
I got refunds (with smallish fees) from OUI-SNCF and Renfe, but NOT LNER & Eurostar.

In previous years I have gone by train to Hendaye, then wee train to San Sebastian, then bus to Pamplona to start there. It is possible to get from Edinburgh to Bordeaux in one day - did that last year.

I might go to Moray Coast, Scotland for a short fixed base trip instead. Obviously not a Camino.

Buen Camino everyone
Ena

What a shame you had to cancel! Hopefully next year the situation will be better and you can try again.

Scotland is beautiful though! I hope you enjoy your time there.

 

[Sam Hardman]

I'm hoping to \going to cycle from Irvine in Ayrshire in April,weather permitting,but not trying to fit into summer holidays,!
Bom cahmino.

Wow! That sounds like an amazing trip. I'm a keen cyclist myself and am a bit jealous!

 

[Sam Hardman]

Hello Sam,
I agree with all those who direct you to the Seat61 website and suggest travelling overnight from Hendaye to Lisbon. Living in Scotland I understand only too well the added difficulty and expense of travelling to the start of my walking the Camino. You don't say where in Scotland you live, but if you are near enough to a station on the Caledonian Sleeper route booking a reclining seat for the journey to London will cost around £48 (less if you have a railcard), get you into London in time to catch the Eurostar to Paris and save the cost of overnight accommodation there. Then the website https://en. oui.sncf allows you to sign in to receive notification of when the cheapest fares for your journey & date become available. I am over 60 so get an extra reduction, but last year was able to travel from Paris to Hendaye first class for £27 with a similar price for the return. Buen Camino!

I live in Aberdeen so the sleeper is definitely an option. I've used it a few times to get to London and found it really convenient.

The prices of trains on the continent are really good. It makes me think this might be possible. Thanks for the advice. I will take a look at Seat61

 

[Sam Hardman]

Well... you could walk and paddle!

If only I had the time

 

[notion900]

Feels to me like if you are not working and have plenty of time to leverage stops on a ground trip into a cool trip, would be great. If you are trying to get your camino into annual leave, it's a terrible idea! Also bear in mind that you'll arrive really tired from long train or bus travel.

 

[Sam Hardman]

Feels to me like if you are not working and have plenty of time to leverage stops on a ground trip into a cool trip, would be great. If you are trying to get your camino into annual leave, it's a terrible idea! Also bear in mind that you'll arrive really tired from long train or bus travel.

I think you are probably right unfortunately. I am trying to squeeze my camino into my annual leave so I definitely don't have unlimited time.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

I usually return from Santiago by bus or train to Santander,then ferry to Portsmouth and bus home.

I was about to suggest to the OP that he consider taking the sleeper train to London, then a train to Portsmouth, then ferry to Bilbao or Santander, then walk the Camino del Norte.

 

[Hansel]

Wow! That sounds like an amazing trip. I'm a keen cyclist myself and am a bit jealous!

Thanks Sam,just getting my Camino fix at the weekend,try not too watch much t.v.news,been a bit out of the loop re the virus,so my trip may be put on hold,keep watching the news now,
I also have return flights to Porto in June,from Edinburgh,was my original plan,until I handed in my notice!
Bill