Airports in Galicia: Where to find them and which one to choose if you do the Camino de Santiago?

Galicia is one of Spain’s most visited tourist destinations, famous for its gastronomy, beaches, and above all, the Camino de Santiago. Every year, more than 350,000 pilgrims from all over the world follow one of the Jacobean Routes.

This guide is for anyone planning the Camino de Santiago and needing information on how to reach Galicia by plane. You’ll find details on available flight connections from Galician airports, a map of airports and Camino starting points, and information about the distance and travel time from each airport to the Camino’s starting points.

Galician Airports

The autonomous community of Galicia has three main airports for passenger transport:

Rosalía de Castro Airport (Santiago de Compostela)
Alvedro Airport (A Coruña)
Peinador Airport (Vigo)

All are managed by AENA and connect Galicia with national destinations and major European cities.

Which airport to fly into Galicia for the Camino?

We recommend flying directly to Galicia if you are going to do the last 100km or 200km of the Camino de Santiago on foot or by bicycle (last 4-7 stages of the Camino). That is to say, those pilgrims who are going to do the last stages of the French Way, the Primitive Way, the Northern Way, the Silver Way, the Portuguese Way, the Portuguese Coastal Way or the English Way.

To choose which airport in Galicia to fly to for the Camino de Santiago, you should take into account three factors:

Flight conections of the Galician airports

Galician airports connect with some of the most important airports in Spain such as: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga or Bilbao; and in Europe: London, Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Dublin, among others. However, there are no international airports in Galicia. In other words, to reach Galicia by plane from international destinations, you will have to change at any of the national or European airports that have a connection with Galicia.

Good news for international travelers: From May 28, 2026, Santiago de Compostela will have a direct flight to the United States. United Airlines will operate a seasonal route from Newark, New Jersey, three times a week with Boeing 737-MAX8 aircraft, marking a milestone in Galicia’s international connectivity.

Travel from the airport to the starting point of the Way of St. James.

Once you land in Galicia to do the Camino de Santiago, you will have to travel to the starting point of the first stage of the Camino de Santiago. The closer the airport where you arrive in Galicia is to the starting point of the route, the more comfortable, faster and cheaper the connection will be. At the end of this guide you will find a map with all the airports in Galicia and the distance to each starting point of the Camino.

Combinations with other means of transport

If you find it difficult to find flights to Galicia that fit the date and time of your itinerary, you may find it more convenient to fly to Madrid or Barcelona and from there travel to the starting point of the stage by train, bus or rental car.

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The 3 airports of Galicia:

Santiago de Compostela Airport, Galicia´s main airport.

Rosalía de Castro Airport (formerly Lavacolla Airport) is located in Santiago de Compostela. Galicia´s Capital City. It is the airport that offers the most national and international connections to travelers and also the one with the highest passenger traffic numbers (3,236,619 passengers in 2022). In addition, its location, close to the heart of Galicia, make´s easy to travel to any starting point of the Camino routes.

It is located 14.2 km from the city center. A journey that takes 20-30 minutes by car/bus. There is a shuttle that connects the airport with the city center. The ticket costs approx. 1,50€

It is a small airport with only one terminal. Although it is not usual to find long queues at the check-in desk, it is advisable to be there at least 2 hours before the departure of the flight.

Inbound/Outbound flights and airlines operating from Santiago de Compostela Airport

The airport of Santiago de Compostela – Rosalía de Castro is operated by 6 airlines that connect the Galician capital with the airports of the most important cities in Spain (Madrid, Barcelona or Bilbao), and Europe (Amsterdam, London, Dublín, París, Milano, Bolonia, Burdeux, Geneva,…).

If you fly to Galicia to do the Camino de Santiago and your airport of origin has a connection with some of these cities, you can fly to Santiago, and from there travel to the starting point of the stage you have chosen to do the Camino.

In the following table we show you all the companies that operate from Santiago airport as well as the destinations and arrivals offered by each one:

Company	Flights from/to Santiago de Compostela
Iberia	Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez (MAD)
Iberia Express	Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez (MAD)
Vueling Airlines	Alicante-Elche (ALC), Amsterdam/Shiphol (AMS), Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas (BCN), Bilbao (BIO), Fuerteventura (FUE), Gran Canaria (LPA), Lanzarote – César Manrique (ACE), Londres-Gatwick (LWG), Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez (MAD), Málaga-Costa del Sol (AGP), Palma de Mallorca (PMI), París-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Sevilla (SVQ), Tenerife Norte-C. La Laguna (TFN)
Easyjet	Londres-Gatwick (LWG)
Easyjet Switzerland	Basel/Mulhouse (BSL), Ginebra (GVA)
Ryanair	Ryanair announced a significant reduction in its flight program from Spain. From early 2026, all routes to and from Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, and Tenerife Norte will be eliminated. This directly affects pilgrims planning to start their Camino from these airports
Aer Lingus	Dublín (DUB)
Transavia	París-Orly (ORY)
Air Nostrum	Bilbao (BIO), Valencia (VLC)

Peinador, Vigo airport

Vigo Airport – Peinador is located in the south of Galicia, 9km AWAY from the city that gives it its name. Its proximity to the Portuguese border makes it the ideal airport if you are thinking of doing the Portuguese Inland Way or the Portuguese Coastal Way.

The AP-9 highway connects the airport with the city center. This journey takes about 20′ by cab or car and 30′ by public transport.
Line A9 connects the center of Vigo with the airport. It has a frequency of 30′ and costs 1,40€ approximately.

Inbound/Outbound flights and airlines operating from Vigo Airport

Vigo airport is operated by 6 airlines that connect Vigo with some of the most important cities in Spain: Madrid, Barcelona or Bilbao among others. If you are going to do the Camino de Santiago and your airport of origin has a connection with some of these cities, you can arrive at the airport of Vigo to do the Camino de Santiago. And from this city, transfer to the starting point of the Camino de Santiago. In the following table you can see the companies that operate in Vigo airport and the destinations that connect each one of them:

Company	Flights from/to Vigo
Iberia	Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez (MAD)
Vueling Airlines	Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas (BCN)
Ryanair	Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas (BCN)
Air Europa	Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suares (MAD)
Binter Canarias	Tenerife Norte-C. La Laguna (TFN); Gran Canaria (LPA)
Air Nostrum	Bilbao (BIO); Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suares (MAD)

A Coruña Airport - El Alvedro

A Coruña’s Alvedro airport is located in the municipality of Culleredo, about 8km from the center of the city. We recommend traveling to this airport if you are going to do the Camino Inglés, the Camino del Norte or the Camino Primitivo.

You can travel to the airport by cab, urban transport or rental car.

The urban transport service, operated by the ALSA bus company, connects the airport with the city center. The lines that stop at the airport are A4 and A7. It has an approximate frequency of 30′ and the journey will take about 30′ approx. It is also possible to take a cab at the airport or book a rental car.

In case you decide to travel by car, there are two main roads connecting the airport with the city center: the N-550 and the AC-14L.

Although, the option we recommend is to book your private transfer in advance to travel from the airport of A Coruña to your starting point.

Inbound/Outbound flights and airlines operating from A Coruña Airport

A Coruña airport is operated by 7 airlines that connect the city of A Coruña with some of the most important cities in Spain: Madrid, Barcelona or Bilbao among others. In addition to international destinations such as: London or Paris. If you are going to do the Camino de Santiago and your airport of origin has a connection with any of these cities, you can arrive at the airport of A Coruña and from there transfer to the starting point of the stage of your Camino. In the following table you can see the companies that operate in A Coruña airport and the destinations that connect each one of them:

Company	Flights from/to A Coruña
Iberia	Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez (MAD)
Vueling Airlines	Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas (BCN); Londres Gatwick (LGW); París / Orly (ORY)
Ryanair	Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas (BCN)
Air Europa	Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suares (MAD)
Air Nostrum	Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suares (MAD)
Binter Canarias	Gran Canaria (LPA)
Volotea	Bilbao (BIO); Valencia (VLC); Málaga-Costa del Sol (AGP)

Map of the main airports in Galicia and the starting point of the Camino de Santiago in Galicia.

In this map of the Galician airports you will find the location of all the airports. As well as locate the starting point and distances of the most popular ways of the Camino de Santiago.

Distance from Santiago Airport to the most popular starting points of St. James Way

From Santiago Airport to Sarria (French Way, last 100km): Distance: 116km. Estimated duration: 1h and 25 minutes.
From Santiago Airport to Baiona (Portuguese Coastal Way, last 100km): Distance: 33km. Estimated duration: 1h 25 minutes.
From Santiago Airport to Vilalba (Northern Way, last 100km): Distance: 90km. Estimated duration: 1h.
From Santiago Airport to Lugo (Camino Primitivo, start of the way): Distance: 100km. Estimated duration: 1h 20m.
From Santiago Airport to Ferrol (English Way, start of the way): Distance 90km. Estimated duration: 1h.
From Santiago Airport to Monforte de Lemos (Winter Way): Distance: 116km. Estimated duration 1h 30m.
From Santiago Airport to Ourense (Vía de la Plata: last 100km): Distance: 105km. Estimated duration: 1h.
From Santiago Airport to A Coruña (English Way): Distance: 67km. Estimated duration 45min.

Distance from Vigo Airport to the most popular starting points of St. James Way

From Vigo Airport to Sarria (French Way, last 100km): Distance: 160km. Estimated duration: 2h.
From Vigo Airport to Tui (Portuguese Coastal Way, last 100km): Distance: 25km. Estimated duration: 20 minutes.
From Vigo Airport to Baiona (Portuguese Way, last 100km): Distance: 25km. Estimated duration: 30 minutes.
From Vigo Airport to Vilalba (Northern Way, last 100km): Distance: 200km. Estimated duration: 2h.
From Vigo Airport to Lugo (Camino Primitivo, start of the way): Distance: 190km. Estimated duration: 2h.
From Vigo Airport to Monforte de Lemos (Winter Way): Distance: 139km. Estimated duration 1h 35m.
From Vigo Airport to Ourense (Via de la Plata: last 100km): Distance: 95km. Estimated duration: 1h.

Distance from A Coruña Airport to the most popular starting points of St. James Way

From A Coruña Airport to Sarria (French Way, last 100km): Distance: 125km. Estimated duration: 1h and 20 minutes.
From A Coruña Airport to Vilalba (Northern Way, last 100km): Distance: 78km. Estimated duration: 50 minutes.
From A Coruña Airport to Lugo (Camino Primitivo, start of the way): Distance: 96km. Estimated duration: 1h.
From A Coruña Airport to Ferrol (English Way, start of the way): Distance 50km. Estimated duration: 35 minutes
From A Coruña Airport to Ourense (Vía de la Plata: last 100km): Distance: 175km. Estimated duration: 1h 45min.
From A Coruña Airport to A Coruña (English Way): Distance: 10km. Estimated duration 15min.

More airports on the Camino de Santiago

If the route of the Camino de Santiago you are planning is more than 7 stages, the starting point will be outside the limits of the Galician geography: St. Jean de Pied de Port, if you are doing the French Way; Porto, for travelers who have decided to do the Portuguese Way; Irun, starting point of the Northern Way; Ponferrada or Oviedo for the Primitive Way.

If this is your case, for convenience, saving time and money, we recommend traveling to another airport in Spain (Bilbao, Oviedo, Madrid, Zaragoza, Barcelona…). Since you will find better connections to reach the starting point of the Camino.

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