Santiago Airport Taxi: Prices, Options and How to Book

Transport from Santiago de Compostela Airport

You've arrived at Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) and need to get moving. Whether you're heading to Santiago city centre, to Sarria to start the Camino or to any other point in Galicia, there are several options. In this guide we compare them all so you can choose the one that best suits your situation.

The basics of SCQ airport

Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport is about 12 km from the city centre. It's a mid-sized airport with domestic flights (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Málaga) and international connections (London, Dublin, Milan, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and others, especially in summer).

The terminal is a single building with arrivals on the ground floor. As soon as you walk through the arrivals doors, the bus stop is on the left and the taxi rank on the right.

Option 1: Airport bus

Freire operates the bus service between the airport and Santiago city centre.

• Price: €3.00 per journey
• Duration: 25-35 minutes (depending on traffic and stops)
• Frequency: Approximately every 30 minutes, with fewer services at night
• Stops: Hospital Clínico, bus station, city centre (Praza de Galicia)
• Hours: From around 6:30 to 00:30

Bus advantages

• It's the cheapest option
• No advance booking needed

Bus drawbacks

• Not direct: it makes several stops
• Not practical if you have a lot of luggage or a large backpack
• No early-morning service (many low-cost flights arrive late)
• Only goes to Santiago city centre, not to other destinations

Option 2: Train

There is no train station at Santiago Airport. To catch a train you first need to reach Santiago de Compostela station (Estación de Cornes), which is about 15 minutes by taxi or 30-40 minutes by bus from the airport.

• Train fare to Sarria: €8-15 (plus the cost of getting to the station)
• Santiago-Sarria journey time: approximately 2 hours
• Frequency: 2-4 trains per day, timetables vary by season

Train advantages

• Comfortable once you're at the station
• Reasonable price for longer journeys

Train drawbacks

• You need additional transport from the airport to the station
• Few departures per day, easy to miss the connection with your flight
• Trains fill up during Camino high season (May-October)
• No direct train to many Galician destinations

Option 3: Taxi from the airport

A taxi is the most direct and flexible way to travel from Santiago Airport.

Indicative taxi prices from SCQ (2026)

Note: Prices are indicative and may vary depending on the time of day (night, public holidays) and number of passengers. If you're travelling in a group of 3-4, the taxi becomes the most economical option per person.

Taxi advantages

• Door to door: From the airport to your final destination with no changes
• Flexible hours: With advance booking, early-morning or late-night flights are no problem
• Luggage included: Backpacks, suitcases, walking poles... everything fits
• Fixed price: If you book in advance, you know exactly what you'll pay
• Great for groups: The price is split between passengers

Taxi drawbacks

• More expensive than the bus if you're travelling alone to Santiago city centre

Why most pilgrims choose a taxi

If your final destination is Santiago city centre, the bus may be enough. But the reality is that most pilgrims arriving at the airport aren't going to the centre: they're heading to Sarria, Palas de Rei, O Cebreiro or other Camino starting points.

For those journeys, a taxi is the only direct option. The alternative is bus to the centre + waiting + another bus or train to your destination, which can turn a 70-minute trip into a 3-4 hour ordeal with luggage in tow.

Tip for saving money

If you're travelling alone and want to share a taxi, many pilgrims organise in WhatsApp groups or Camino forums to share the transfer from the airport to Sarria. A 4-seat taxi split between 3-4 pilgrims works out at €30-35 per person to go directly from the airport to the door of your albergue in Sarria.

How to book a taxi from Santiago Airport

At Taxi Castro we offer transfers from Santiago Airport to any destination in Galicia. We work with a fixed price: we confirm the exact price before the journey and there are no surprises.

How booking works

• Contact us by phone (+34 659 99 31 39) or WhatsApp with your arrival date, flight number and destination

• We confirm the price and availability within 1 hour

• On your arrival day, we'll be waiting at the terminal with a sign bearing your name

• We drive you directly to your destination, with stops along the way if you need them

We accept bookings up to 24 hours in advance, although we recommend booking several days ahead during high season.

Frequently asked questions

What if my flight is delayed?

We monitor flights. If there's a delay, we adjust the pick-up time automatically. No extra charge.

Can I bring large backpacks and walking poles?

Of course. Our vehicles have spacious boots. 50-70 litre backpacks, suitcases, trekking poles, travel bags... everything fits without a problem.

Are taxis available in the early hours?

We work by advance booking. If your flight arrives after midnight or departs very early, book in advance and we'll adapt to your schedule. This is one of the big advantages over the bus, which doesn't run in the early hours.

How many people fit in a taxi?

Our standard vehicles carry up to 4 passengers. For larger groups, we have vehicles seating up to 8. Ask about availability.