Galicia is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Spain for its gastronomy, its beaches and above all, for 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 aimed at all those people who are planning the Camino de Santiago and need information on how to get to Galicia by plane to do the Camino de Santiago. You will find information about available flights connections from Galician airports. A map with the airports and the starting points of the Way of St. James and information about the distance and duration of the trip from the airports to the starting points of the Way of St. James.
The autonomous community of Galicia has 3 airports available for passenger transport: Rosalía de Castro Airport, located in Santiago de Compostela; Alvedro Airport, in the city of A Coruña; and Peinador Airport, in the city of Vigo, province of Pontevedra. Both are managed by Aena and connect Galicia with different national destinations and European countries.
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.
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
| 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 | Alicante-Elche (ALC), Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas (BCN), Bolonia (BLQ), Burdeos (BOD), Dublín (DUB), Edimburgo (EDI), Fuerteventura (FUE), Gran Canaria (LPA), Lanzarote – César Manrique (ACE), Londres-Stansted (STN), Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez (MAD), Málaga-Costa del Sol (AGP), Marsella (MRS), Memmingen (FMM), Milán-Bérgamo (BGY), Palma de Mallorca (PMI), París-Beauvais-Tille (BVA), Sevilla (SVQ), Tenerife Sur (TFS), Valencia (VLC) |
| 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
| 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
| 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.
