How to Buy Train and Bus Tickets for Camino de Santiago

Getting from the airport to your starting point is the most challenging planning aspect of Camino de Santiago. This video explains how to get train tickets and bus tickets in Spain to start your Camino. I go through step by step and show where the sites don't work well and how to choose your station.
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I learned that you can also get a free city train ticket to the various stations at your arrival and destination. So you can get a local train for free from the airport to the Chamartin station (for example). Here is a helpful site on doing that and much more about using the trains.
www.seat61.com/train-travel-i...
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[@CaminoGuide]

Learn more and register for one of my pilgrim groups over on my website! www.caminoguide.info/guidedgroups

[@soclose2her]

Thank you so much! The logistics have been stressing me out

[@CaminoGuide]

It's much easier than it first seems. I hope this is helpful!

[@danielingrey8185]

Dr Jeremiah, this is the invaluable information that has taken me so long to understand. You do it perfectly. Thank you.

[@danielingrey8185]

Just a thought there Dr., Jeremiah, the renfe tickets are on the app tickets. Is it the same sort of thing for alsa?

[@estellagutierrez4615]

Blessings for all your help...🙏

[@andrewtanner8844]

Great help, thank you! And I love the Cana icon in the background. ¡Muy bien!

[@chakaka801]

This!! This is what i was looking for!!! Thank you thank you... this was what had me most worried aside from blister😢😩 doing the Camino Frances in Aug.

[@pinkandspice1691]

Good thank you for the info

[@barbaraandchristunbridge7304]

Really helpful! Planning for next April to do the Camino Frances ❤

[@LaurieHammond-cn9lk]

Thank you so much!!

[@hilarymac3706]

This is so helpful thank you!

[@CaminoGuide]

Thank you!

[@soclose2her]

Thank you so much!! The logistics have been stressing me out!!!

[@CaminoGuide]

Don't worry. Get ready for a brilliant time on pilgrimage!

[@johnturnbull2146]

Useful info, many thanks

[@CaminoGuide]

Thank you. I'm glad I can be helpful.

[@paulahavens2764]

Thank you

[@josiedumoy4554]

Hi! Thank you for your informative video. Great help! I have a specific question, is there a bus that runs from Madrid directly to Sarria? Thanks =)

[@isabelcastillo2394]

Hi, thank you for the great information. This was extremely helpful. I'm working with the travel site Santiago Ways and your information is way more comprehensive. Question for you: I noticed on the Alsa bus that they asked if you had sports equipment. Would consider the hiking poles sports equipment? Thank you!

[@robertcarrillo6426]

How do you suggest getting to Sarria from Madrid. I can't find a direct train or bus. Thanks for the excellent videos !

[@adude386]

That's right. Logistics is what I worry about. From the airport to my starting point. How to get there more confidently.

[@CaminoGuide]

Yes. That’s the only tricky part. I’ve considered offering that much planning to folks as a service but haven’t done so yet. You can figure it out and then the rest is easy. Hopefully some of my videos will be helpful!

[@ralphgeswint8002]

THANKS for such informative advice. RALPH GESWINT SOUTH Africa 🙏

[@CaminoGuide]

You’re welcome! I hope it helps you make Camino soon!

[@robyoung5716]

Good Day. I love and appreciate all your great videos on the Camino. You did mention in this video (i think) that you have one that explains how to get to the St. Jean Pied de Port. I am flying into Madrid and trying to figure out how to get there. Could you direct me to the video you did. Thank you so much. Cheryl

[@estellagutierrez4615]

Help .. Madrid to start ing point

[@herlinasuyatibachtiar6743]

in sarria if i want start from sarria where i can get the pilgrime passport ? maybe you know ? or i must get first to santiago ?

[@Sulizc]

Hi! So glad that I found your channel and an experienced pilgrim that provide so much information and guidance. Im hope to be at Madrid around the 20th of August. Im not planning to do lodging reservations in advance, just let the camino dictates in every stage. Do you recommend to get to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port at certain hour as a first timer?

[@CaminoGuide]

I don’t think it matters what time you arrive unless you plan to walk that day. But you probably will want to make reservations for SJPDP and your first night after. Both Orisson and Roncesvalles can fill up fast!

[@jonielvillanueva20]

@@CaminoGuideeven on month of September do i need to get reservations to all those albergues ? thanks

[@rj29839]

Could you do another video like this, but to get from Paris to St. Jean Pied de Port?

[@CaminoGuide]

I plan to do one to give instructions to get there from several locations. I don't have that on the near term list of videos to make but I know that it will be helpful!

[@markweng3984]

I also need this if you have. Thank you.

[@CaminoGuide]

@@markweng3984 Thanks Mark. I will try to move this up the agenda as folks are planning their upcoming Caminos

[@aisling6564]

@@CaminoGuide me three :)

[@WhiteLotusOm]

@@CaminoGuide yes that would be great as it’s the most common question asked on how to get from Paris to SJPDP! 👍🏼

[@Abilovesjack]

Thank you. Very helpful. Is there a bus and train system for Portugal. Im going to be arriving in Porto. Thank you

[@CaminoGuide]

Yes they have national systems as well

[@jonielvillanueva20]

How about Paris to Saint Pied de Port

[@CaminoGuide]

Are you interested in joining one of my groups on Camino? Submit your email here to be notified when my next group is announced: www.caminoguide.info

[@chadsweeney4704]

Looking forward to my pilgrimage in early May. Due to work constraints (both my son's and mine) we will only be able to walk 8 days. He wants to get the compostela and walk the French way, so our end point will be Santiago. What I am looking at is starting in O Cebreiro. What would be the best way to get from Madrid to O Cebreiro? Bus to Pedrafita do Cebreiro then taxi (?) to O Cebreiro - 5:40 hr? Or train to Ponferrada then taxi (53 km) to O Cebreiro?

[@CaminoGuide]

I'm cheap so I would take the bus for that. That taxi ride would probably cost about 50 Euro from Ponferrada. If you don't mind putting out a little more then the train is almost certainly faster and definitely more comfortable.

[@cindyrodriguez166]

Great information in this video. Thank you so very much. I am planning to fly into Madrid from the US, then take a train to Pamplona and a bus to St Jean Pied de Port for start the Camino Frances. By chance do you know or have any information that may alert me to any special requirements there may be because of Covid ... to take the bus from one country to another. ex: Spain to France. I appreciate any help you can provide. Again, the info in your video was so very helpful. Now on to look thru your other videos. ha. I look forward to hearing from you. Cnd

[@CaminoGuide]

From what I have heard, basically no one is checking persons for requirements while traveling by bus. I think technically it would be the same requirements as by air. But most report little checks since this is all legal travel for Schengen residents. Thanks for checking out the others. I love making them and love that they help people make the Way!

[@cindyrodriguez166]

@@CaminoGuide Great News! Thank you. Since my comment to you earlier, I have watched several of your videos and found them all very helpful. Appreciate your work ... and thank you for sharing.

[@CaminoGuide]

@@cindyrodriguez166 Keep Watching! I have some videos upcoming in the next 5 months as I introduce my new group of pilgrims to the channel.

[@danielingrey8185]

Anyone doing the Paris to South route needs the SNCF, from Montparnasse, Paris. Luckily it stops at Tours, in the Val de Loire, where there are two churches dedicated to St., James as well as the shrine to St., Martin. He, who famously divided up, Jesus robe at the crucifixion.......

[@herlinasuyatibachtiar6743]

from madrid airport internasional if i want to go to sarria by train what station i must go ? inside airport or outside airport ?

[@drummist1000]

Hope you made it. LAST YEAR

[@lillianborg8722]

Please how to book a bus ticket from Santiago de compostela to Sarria and were do I go.

[@CaminoGuide]

Lillian, just check out the video section about the buses and you should have no problem with that ticket

[@rickyfernando4157]

I'm planning to take the shortest route because i have limited vacation time. where should I start ?

[@CaminoGuide]

You could start in Sarria and walk 4 days. If you tell me how many walking days you plan (not counting travel,) I can make some suggestions.

[@courtnayzeitler8564]

Do you have any information or advice on the best way to fly out of Spain after completing the Camino? Thanks.

[@drummist1000]

No response after 4 months? That’s lame

[@nielcapasso8229]

Hope you clarify something for me. I purchased a train ticket from Santiago Madrid. Seems I booked with a Rail Ninja but they will not send me my ticket till June 24 by email. I have asked them to send me the now but their policy is a few weeks later. Is Rail Ninja a safe site?

[@CaminoGuide]

I haven’t used them. But it’s probably safe. They are a reseller. So they can’t send the ticket because they don’t have it yet (my guess). Renfe does not release the tickets for sale until about one month prior to travel.

[@susananquist8357]

If you buy a ticket through a broker can you put your reservation into the renfe ticket app under my tickets?

[@CaminoGuide]

I answered this one as part of my other response...but I think the answer is yes.

[@DunRovinRanch-1969]

Do prices go up closer to departure? Why would I buy a train ticket so far in advance?

[@CaminoGuide]

You can only buy them about 3 months in advance. But yes…they are cheapest when they are first made available and go up until they are sold out.

[@chadsweeney4704]

do i need to get my tickets in advance? if so how many days? Traveling May 9 and May 16

[@CaminoGuide]

You *probably* could walk into a station and get them. But they will definitely be cheaper if you buy them now. The prices go up slowly until that day. I’d go ahead and buy them now. Buen Camino!

[@EduardoBrito-pf3xf]

Jeremiah: I'll need to get from Santiago back to Porto for my flight home. What is the the best way to do that?

[@drummist1000]

Did he ever respond from 5 months ago? Huh?

[@EduardoABrito]

No. But, I did walk the Camino in May and went back to Porto from Santiago. The best way to do it is via bus from Santiago. They can be purchased at the bus terminal@@drummist1000

[@renerobles2999]

Hi buddy I have a question… how much cash do I take and are there easy ways to get cash on the camo

[@CaminoGuide]

Spending is dependent upon your plans for where you will stay and what you will eat. But in short, the cheapest way to get money in Spain is by going to ATM machines and withdrawing large amounts (usually max out at 300 Euro). You will get charged a fee every time, but the ATM fee is much better than paying the high rates of exchange at all other sources. I spend almost entirely cash on Camino (some places do accept card) and I get that cash by simply withdrawing 300 at a time. As for a budget, you should check my budget video on this channel for some of the different options that will affect budget.

[@renerobles2999]

@@CaminoGuide thanks so much for response… I watched I believe all your videos. I’m a first timer and plan my adventure for April if they’re open.

[@CaminoGuide]

Thanks for following along with the videos! I’m very hopeful for April. In fact, I’m planning a group trip for May. I wouldn’t plan a group if I thought it would be a problem. It’s so close!

[@williamgiovinazzo8523]

I heard that there are only two buses from Pamplona to St. Jean de Port. Where can I find the schedule for those buses? I head that it is not that expensive to get a cab. Is that true?

[@CaminoGuide]

I would try the ALSA site. But I’m not sure they have a run into France. I know there are several shuttles for that run but I’ve never used them. I May do some research and do a video

[@estellagutierrez4615]

@@CaminoGuide do you need to buy on the app?

[@teresacoulthard3829]

Can we take a bicycle of the bus or train?

[@CaminoGuide]

I’m fairly certain all trains allow bikes with a premium. I’m not sure about buses, but I suspect there are some that do and some that don’t. Check your specific bus for availability.

[@kimberleeeverson1443]

Are the tickets electronic?

[@CaminoGuide]

I have purchased on those websites. Bus tickets have come to me as an email pdf. Train tickets come as an email PDF but can also be accessed from the Renfe mobile app.

[@thomasthomsen6763]

Which camino are you talking about?

[@CaminoGuide]

I spend most of my time on Camino Frances and that's most of the examples in this video, I think. But the train and bus tickets should be the same for all the Spanish Caminos. There would be slight differences for Camino Portugues!

[@jennyzhang784]

Can you purchase ticket without pre booking ?

[@CaminoGuide]

Sometimes. But some routes definitely sell out. Maybe not for the entire day, but at least some of the trains for that day may sell out.

[@user-ik2pg9pm7e]

Can you use your credit card for a younger passenger such as an underage teeneger or your kid? Another question: can you pay cash when you take Alsa?

[@CaminoGuide]

You could pay credit card for anyone. I assume there are ticket stations that take cash, but I’ve always bought tickets in advance.

[@AugustinesHeart]

Do you by chance have an email to contact you at? I’ll looking to do the Camino this summer and I’ve watched yours and other videos, but I still had more questions about travel.

[@CaminoGuide]

Jeremiah dot Gibbs at inumc dot org Glad to help if I can.

[@paulahavens2764]

can you buy your tickets when you get there instead of buying ahead? The train or bus?

[@CaminoGuide]

You absolutely can. Some trains do sell out, but most do not. The ticket price will absolutely be higher when you buy close to departure…at least for trains. I can’t say that for buses because I haven’t ridden much. The big cities will have a person working ticket counters. Only very small train stations will not. In those cases I THINK you just buy the ticket on the train from a staff person.

[@susananquist8357]

I have found buying ahead is generally cheaper.

[@susananquist8357]

On the renfe ticket app they ask for a pay code to register. What is that?

[@CaminoGuide]

@@susananquist8357 I'm not sure. I would not use the app for anything except accessing tickets unless it is an emergency. It is terrible. For example, to add your ticket to my trips on iphone you need to access letters. But the app won't let you use letters, only numbers. It is genuinely terrible. Sometimes it will not sure you routes that have two different trains...just terrible. Use the website to create your account and purchase your tickets. Only use the app to bring up your QR code to board the train and nothing else. As for adding tickets that you purchase from a broker: I don't know this for sure. But I do think that you could add any ticket that has a localizer code. I've not tried to do that but I'd guess you could.

[@sherylfitzpatrick4693]

Surname is not first name surname is last name.

[@CaminoGuide]

Yes for sure. Not sure if I got tongue tied on that. But you are right.