What’s up with the rail connection between Spain and Portugal?

Steven Dwyer

Active Member

• Sep 4, 2023

• #1

I was looking at tickets between Santiago and Porto and it appears that the line is being discontinued. Has anyone heard anything about this?

I know that Renfe sometimes doesn’t release tickets until a month before departure, but this search isn’t getting the usual message. I see they went down to weekday service only in September, then.down to one train a day.

I know that they were talking about upgrading the line to high speed rail, so wonder if this is related.

 

trecile

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Various routes 2016 - 2024

• Sep 4, 2023

• #2

The train from Santiago to Porto requires a connection in Vigo. It's usually faster to take the bus

 

Steven Dwyer

Active Member

• Sep 4, 2023

• #3

trecile said:

The train from Santiago to Porto requires a connection in Vigo. It's usually faster to take the bus

Click to expand...

I done the trip multiple times, so I’m aware of the change of trains. I personally prefer the train over the bus To have more space and the ability to walk around.

The bus is usually a few minutes faster, but with a Tarjeta Dorada the train is about 1/4 of the cost of the bus.

 

T

TravellingMan22

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Portuguese/Frances 2020/Norte 2021

• Sep 4, 2023

• #4

Steven Dwyer said:

I done the trip multiple times, so I’m aware of the change of trains. I personally prefer the train over the bus To have more space and the ability to walk around.

The bus is usually a few minutes faster, but with a Tarjeta Dorada the train is about 1/4 of the cost of the bus.

Click to expand...

Seems to be on sale until 29 Sep on App.
From 30 Sep it says

The requested route is not available for sale at this time or there is no direct connection, please try again later and we apologize for the inconvenience.

It’s a bit odd as if you put 30 Sep you see nothing, but if you put 29 Sep in and then click arrow to next day you will see train listed but cannot buy yet!!

 

katkins_in

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Chemin du Puy to Pamplona 2023

• Sep 5, 2023

• #5

A friend last year in July had the experience of buying a ticket online for that route for sometime early afternoon, and then finding out that there was no such train as the one she had a ticket for. She was able to get a bus ticket and a refund for the non-existent train.

I just mention it because it seems odd and I wonder if anyone else has had that problem? And if so, can you explain why that was possible? (Sorry to, ahem, side-track the conversation, but I thought it might be related.)

 

katkins_in

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Chemin du Puy to Pamplona 2023

• Sep 5, 2023

• #6

Ah -- I just noticed this thread from a couple of weeks ago ... could it be related (i.e. something happening again this month)?

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/rail-line-closed-between-santiago-and-ourense-services-to-madrid-disrupted.82571/

 

Steven Dwyer

Active Member

• Sep 5, 2023

• #7

TravellingMan22 said:

Seems to be on sale until 29 Sep on App

Click to expand...

I just looked at the time tables section on the Renfe website and the route disappears after Sept. 29th. Before the 29th, it is only offering the morning train weekdays.

I am hoping this is only temporary and that they are upgrading the service to high-speed rail.

 

T

TravellingMan22

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Portuguese/Frances 2020/Norte 2021

• Sep 5, 2023

• #8

Steven Dwyer said:

I just looked at the time tables section on the Renfe website and the route disappears after Sept. 29th. Before the 29th, it is only offering the morning train weekdays.

I am hoping this is only temporary and that they are upgrading the service to high-speed rail.

Click to expand...

Sorry I only looked on App - not for sale yet.

 

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