How to Get to Sarria from Santiago Airport [2026]

Getting to Sarria from Santiago Airport

Sarria is the most popular starting point on the Camino de Santiago. From here begin the last 100 km of the Camino Francés — the minimum walking distance to earn the Compostela. Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims land in Santiago and need to reach Sarria as quickly as possible to start walking.

The problem is that Sarria is 115 km from the airport, in the province of Lugo, and there is no direct public transport connecting the two. In this guide we explain all the real options, with prices and times updated for 2026.

Option 1: Direct taxi airport – Sarria

The fastest and most comfortable option, especially if you arrive tired from a long flight or at awkward hours.

• Time: 70-80 minutes via the motorway (AP-54 then national road)
• Price: €120-140 per journey (not per person)
• Availability: By advance booking, adapted to your flight time
• Capacity: Up to 4 passengers with luggage

What's included

• Pick-up at the arrivals terminal with a sign bearing your name
• Direct journey with no intermediate stops (unless you request them)
• All luggage: backpacks, suitcases, walking poles
• Fixed price confirmed before the journey

Price per person if you share a taxi

From 3 people, a direct taxi costs practically the same as the bus, but drops you at your albergue door in 70 minutes instead of 3-4 hours.

Option 2: Bus airport – Santiago centre – Sarria

There is no direct bus from the airport to Sarria. You need to make two journeys with a transfer in Santiago city centre.

Leg 1: Airport to Santiago centre (Freire bus)

• Price: €3
• Duration: 25-35 minutes
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes
• Final stop: Santiago bus station

Leg 2: Santiago centre to Sarria (Monbus)

• Price: €10-14
• Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes - 2 hours 45 minutes
• Frequency: 3-5 buses per day (check timetables at monbus.es)
• Departs from: Santiago bus station

Total time and cost

• Actual time: 3 to 4 hours (including waiting between buses)
• Total cost: €13-17 per person
• Hours: Daytime only. The last bus to Sarria usually departs around 19:00-20:00

The main problem

Bus timetables to Sarria are limited. If your flight lands at 14:00, by the time you collect your luggage, catch the bus to the centre and reach the bus station, the next bus to Sarria may not leave until 17:00 or 18:00. And if you arrive at night, there's no bus until the next day.

Option 3: Train Santiago – Sarria

Renfe runs trains between Santiago de Compostela and Sarria, but with one major drawback: there is no train station at the airport.

Leg 1: Airport to Santiago train station

You first need to reach Cornes station:

• By taxi: 15 minutes, €20-25
• By bus: 35-45 minutes (bus to the centre + walk or second bus)

Leg 2: Train Santiago to Sarria

• Price: €8-15 depending on train type and advance purchase
• Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes - 2 hours 15 minutes
• Frequency: 2-4 trains per day

Total time and cost

• Actual time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours (including the airport-to-station journey and waiting)
• Total cost: €28-40 if you take a taxi to the station, or €11-18 if you go by bus
• Advantage: The train is comfortable and has luggage space
• Drawback: Few departures, and if you miss one you could wait 3-4 hours for the next

Direct comparison

Why most pilgrims choose a taxi

After a flight, the last thing you want is to drag a 10 kg backpack through bus and train stations for 3-4 hours. The reality is that most pilgrims we speak to tell us the same thing: "I want to get to Sarria as soon as possible to settle in, rest and start walking early tomorrow."

A taxi picks you up at the airport door and drops you at your albergue or hotel door in Sarria in just over an hour. If you share between 3-4 people, it works out at €35 per person — a very competitive price for the comfort it offers.

Practical tip

Many pilgrims organise on Camino forums (gronze.com, the Camino de Santiago Facebook group, or WhatsApp groups) to share a taxi from the airport. If you post your arrival date and time a few weeks in advance, you're very likely to find travel companions.

What to do when you arrive in Sarria

Sarria has everything you need to prepare before you start walking:

• Albergues and hotels: Dozens of options, from public albergues (€6-10) to hotels (€40-70)
• Gear shops: You can buy walking poles, rain gear, blister plasters and foot cream
• Pilgrim Credential: Available at the church of Santa Mariña or at several albergues
• Restaurants: Have a good dinner the night before. We recommend trying caldo gallego (Galician broth) and empanada (savoury pie)

Where the Camino begins in Sarria

The official starting point is near the Monastery of La Magdalena, in the upper part of town. From there you follow the yellow arrows downhill, cross the bridge over the River Sarria and head out onto the Camino.

Book your airport – Sarria transfer

At Taxi Castro we take pilgrims from the airport to Sarria every day during Camino season. We know the route by heart, the best spots for a quick stop if you need one, and we drop you right where you're staying.

Book in advance, especially between April and October. Call us on +34 659 99 31 39 or write to us on WhatsApp with your date, arrival time and flight number. We'll confirm the price and availability within an hour.

If you prefer, we also do the Santiago centre – Sarria route for pilgrims already in the city who want to go directly to the Camino starting point.