Getting to Sarria

One of the most asked questions on Camino Francés Facebook groups!

Sarria is known for being the most popular starting point for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago, particularly the Camino Francés route. Sarria is about 111 kilometres from Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. But what are the options for getting there?

We will try to explain!

🚆 By Train from Madrid Airport

Travelling by train from Madrid Airport (MAD) to Sarria is straightforward and involves a couple of steps, as there is no direct train service between these two points. Here’s how you can do it:

1. From Madrid Airport to Madrid-Chamartín Station:
   • Take the Renfe Cercanías (local train) from the airport’s Terminal 4 to Madrid-Chamartín Station. The journey takes about 12-15 minutes.
2. From Madrid-Chamartín to Sarria
   • The total journey typically takes around 6 hours in total, including a transfer at Ourense​.
   • There are no direct trains; you will need to change trains at Ourense​.
3. Train Frequency and Timings:
   • There are generally four trains per day.
   • The earliest train departs around 10:00 AM, and the last train leaves around 7:15 PM, arriving in Sarria by late evening​.
4. Ticket Prices:
   • Prices for tickets can vary but generally start around €35 if booked in advance. The average ticket price can be higher, depending on the booking time and seat class​.
5. Booking Tickets:
   • Tickets can be booked through various platforms like Renfe’s official website, Trainline, or Omio. Booking in advance is recommended to secure the best prices​.

✈️ By Flying from Madrid Airport

While there isn’t an airport in Sarria itself, the most convenient option for travelling from Madrid to Sarria by air would be to fly to Santiago de Compostela Airport (Aeropuerto de Santiago de Compostela), as it’s the closest major airport to Sarria. From there, you can take a bus or train to Sarria.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Flight from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela Airport: Several low-cost airlines operate flights from Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD) to Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ). The flight duration is around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
2. Transfer from Santiago de Compostela Airport to Sarria:

• By Bus: There are direct buses from Santiago de Compostela to Sarria operated by Monbus. The journey takes approximately 2 hours. You can check the schedule and buy tickets online or at the airport.
• By Train: Alternatively, you can take a train from Santiago de Compostela to Sarria. The journey duration varies depending on the type of train, but it typically takes around 2 to 3 hours. You can check the schedule and buy tickets on the Renfe website or at the train station.

🚌 By Bus from Santiago de Compostela or Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ)

To travel from Santiago de Compostela to Sarria by bus, you can use MonBus, which operates a direct service once daily. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and tickets typically cost between €7 and €14​​. The bus departs from the Santiago de Compostela bus station and the airport some 15 minutes later and arrives at Sarria bus station. At the time of writing, the departure time from the bus station is 1100 daily. You can book tickets online and check the schedule at https://www.monbus.es/en#seleccion

🚆By Train from Santiago de Compostela

To travel by train from Santiago de Compostela to Sarria, you’ll need to make a transfer at Ourense, as there are no direct trains for this route. Here’s a step-by-step outline of your journey:

1. Santiago de Compostela to Ourense: This leg of the journey is operated by Renfe. The train ride takes approximately 35-40 minutes, and there are multiple departures throughout the day. The ticket price ranges from €9 to €13.
2. Ourense to Sarria: From Ourense, you will take another Renfe train to Sarria. This segment takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, with several trains available each day. Tickets for this part of the journey cost between €8 and €13.

The total travel time, including the transfer, is around 3 hours. You can book your tickets and check the schedules on Renfe’s official website or through other travel booking platforms like Omio and Trainline.

🚕 By Taxi (Private Hire from Santiago de Compostela Airport)

Travelling from Santiago de Compostela Airport to Sarria by taxi is a convenient and efficient option and one of the only ways to make the journey if you arrive on a later flight. The journey covers approximately 118 kilometres and typically takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. The cost for a taxi ride from the airport to Sarria is generally around €165. Obviously, it works best if you can find other Pilgrims to split the cost with.

Several companies offer private hire, including:

• Transfer Galicia: Known for competitive pricing and comfortable vehicles accommodating up to 8 passengers.
• Welcome Pickups: Offers meet-and-greet services at the airport for a similar price to a regular taxi.
• MyTransfers: Provides private sedans for up to 4 passengers with the option to book online in advance. They offer a fixed price around €177.
• Taxi Santiago: Offers various vehicle options, including standard cars and larger vans for up to 8 passengers, available 24/7.
• Taxi Galicia.com
• Xacotrans
• Taxiperegrino.com
• TaxiGalicia.eu
• TaxiPeregrino.es

🚌 By Coach from Porto, Vigo and La Corona

Traveling to Sarria by coach from Porto, Vigo, and A Coruña involves different routes and bus operators. Here are the details for each:

1. From Porto:

• ALSA operates a bus service from Porto to Santiago de Compostela. From there, you can take another bus to Lugo and finally to Sarria. The entire journey can take around 6-8 hours, depending on connections. Booking in advance is recommended to secure the best fares and schedules.

1. From Vigo:

• MonBus runs direct services from Vigo to Lugo. From Lugo, you can transfer to another MonBus service to Sarria. The total travel time is approximately 3-4 hours, with ticket prices generally ranging from €15 to €25 for the entire trip.

1. From A Coruña:

• ALSA and MonBus offer services from A Coruña to Lugo, with a transfer in Lugo to a bus heading to Sarria. The journey from A Coruña to Lugo takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes, and from Lugo to Sarria, it takes around 1 hour. The total travel time is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, with ticket prices ranging from €10 to €20.

Also, take a look at Rome2Rio.com (or download their app)—it’s a really good site that seems to have the answer to most travel questions!

Buen Camino!

www.santiagoexplorer.com