Getting to the Camino: Saint-Jean, Sarria, Porto, and home from Santiago

Most pilgrims start in one of three places: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Sarria or Porto. Each has one simple way in, and two of them have a catch. The last train to Saint-Jean runs 5 to 7 times a day, and only one coach a day goes from Santiago to Sarria. Tap where you start and the map draws the way. Every train and metro figure here is counted from the operator’s own timetable file, not copied from another guide.

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: the last hour is a little train

Saint-Jean has a station but no airport. The usual way is to fly to Biarritz, take city bus line 3 to Bayonne station (every 15 to 30 minutes), and catch the regional train up the Nive valley. It takes 60 to 67 min, and there are 5 to 7 a day, fewer at weekends. From Paris, the TGV to Bayonne takes 4 h to 4 h 26 min, 5 to 7 direct trains a day. From Spain there is no train to Saint-Jean: take the train from Madrid to Pamplona (3 h 24 min to 3 h 56 min, 2 to 5 a day), then a minibus you book ahead, such as Express Bourricot.

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Sarria: one coach a day, or the train with a change

Sarria has no airport, and no direct train from Santiago. Monbus runs one coach a day from Santiago, at 11:00, which takes 2 h 10 min and stops at Santiago airport on the way, so you can land and go. By train, one direct train a day comes from Madrid (4 h 18 min). Otherwise take the high-speed train to Ourense (2 h 14 min to 2 h 57 min, 7 to 11 a day) and change for Sarria (72 to 78 min, 3 to 4 a day), or change at Lugo, 22 to 31 min away.

Porto: the metro from the plane

Porto is the easy one. Metro line E leaves from the airport terminal and reaches Trindade in 27 to 32 min, every 11 to 20 minutes through the day. Change there for line D, 3 min to São Bento, a short walk below the cathedral where most pilgrims start.

Home from Santiago

From Santiago the high-speed train reaches Madrid in 2 h 57 min to 3 h 25 min, 5 to 8 a day. Santiago airport is linked to the centre by city bus 6A. If you fly home from Porto, Alsa runs coaches every day from Santiago straight to Porto airport, the first at 08:00 and the last at 22:00. The trip takes 1 h 59 min to 3 h.

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Where these figures come from

The train and metro figures are counted, not copied. We read the operators’ own timetable files and counted the direct departures on every day of one ordinary week. SNCF’s file, the latest it has published, runs to June 30, 2026, so the Saint-Jean and Paris trains are counted from June 1 to June 7, 2026. Renfe’s and Metro do Porto’s are counted from November 9 to November 15, 2026. The bus and coach figures were read on the operators’ and airports’ own pages on October 27, 2026. Timetables change with the seasons: check the day before you travel.

Common questions

How do I get to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port?

Fly to Biarritz, take bus line 3 to Bayonne station, then the regional train to Saint-Jean. The train takes 60 to 67 min and runs 5 to 7 times a day.

Is there a train to Sarria?

Yes. One direct train a day from Madrid, 4 h 18 min, or change at Ourense or Lugo. From Santiago there is no direct train, but there is one coach a day, 2 h 10 min.

How do I get from Porto airport to the cathedral?

Take metro line E to Trindade, 27 to 32 min, then line D to São Bento, 3 min. The cathedral is a short walk up from São Bento.

How long is the train from Santiago to Madrid?

2 h 57 min to 3 h 25 min, with 5 to 8 direct trains a day.

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