Journey times below are a useful planning guide. Check your travel date before buying flights because railway and coach schedules change.

How to reach Sarria

The best public-transport option is the Renfe train from Madrid Chamartín to Sarria. The direct journey takes approximately 4 hours 30 minutes. On some dates, Renfe offers an itinerary with a change, usually in Ourense, so check whether your ticket shows one train or two.

  • From Madrid: book with Renfe. Choose Madrid Chamartín as the departure station and Sarria as the destination.
  • From Santiago Airport: a taxi or prearranged private transfer takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes and brings you directly to your hotel.
  • From Santiago by public transport: Monbus serves the Santiago–Lugo corridor. Continue from Lugo to Sarria by bus or Renfe. Use the Bus Galicia planner to check connections on your date.

The public route from Santiago generally takes considerably longer because it requires a connection. We can arrange a private airport or hotel transfer to Sarria; ask us for the rate for your travel date and party size.

How to reach Tui

Vigo is the closest airport. Porto is also convenient, particularly when it offers a better international flight.

  • From Vigo Airport: a private transfer takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Vitrasa line A runs from the airport to Vigo’s city and intermodal transport area; continue to Tui on a regional bus found through Bus Galicia.
  • From Porto Airport: allow approximately 1 hour 15 minutes by private transfer. ALSA also runs international coaches from the airport towards Vigo. For services stopping in Valença, Tui is immediately across the River Miño and a short taxi ride away.
  • From Santiago Airport: a direct private transfer takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.

Portugal is one hour behind mainland Spain. A 10 am departure from Porto is already 11 am in Tui.

How to reach Baiona

Vigo Airport is the easiest arrival point for Baiona.

  • From Vigo Airport: a taxi or private transfer takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes. By public transport, take Vitrasa line A into Vigo and change to a regional coastal bus; check the connection on Bus Galicia.
  • From Porto Airport: a direct private transfer takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on traffic at the border and around Vigo.
  • From Santiago Airport: allow approximately 1 hour 25 minutes by private transfer.

Public transport from any airport requires a change in Vigo. A direct transfer is especially useful for families, walkers with late flights and groups sharing the cost.

How to reach Porto

Porto Airport is approximately 15 kilometres from the centre.

  • Metro: Metro do Porto line E reaches Trindade in approximately 30 minutes. From there, continue by metro, taxi or on foot to your hotel.
  • Taxi or private transfer: allow approximately 25 to 35 minutes for a central hotel, depending on traffic.
  • International coach: ALSA operates direct airport coaches towards Vigo and Santiago. The journey to Vigo is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

Tell us where you intend to begin walking. The cathedral, Ribeira waterfront and coastal route are in different parts of the city, and the right hotel or transfer makes the first morning much easier.

How to reach Ourense

Ourense is a useful starting point for the Sanabrés Way and for journeys that combine the Camino with the Ribeira Sacra.

  • From Madrid: direct Renfe AVE trains from Madrid Chamartín take approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
  • From Santiago: direct Renfe trains generally take approximately 40 minutes. From Santiago Airport, first travel into the city for the train, or book a private road transfer of approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
  • From Vigo: direct Renfe trains take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the service.

Ourense station is across the Miño from the historic centre. A short taxi ride is sensible with walking luggage.

How to reach Monforte de Lemos

Monforte is the principal transport base in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra and a useful starting point for the Winter Way.

  • From Madrid: direct Renfe trains take approximately 4 hours. Some departures require a change in Ourense.
  • From Ourense: direct trains take approximately 45 minutes.
  • From Santiago: the direct train journey is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. A private transfer from Santiago Airport takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes.

Monforte’s railway station is outside the historic hilltop centre. We can meet your train and arrange the onward transfer to your hotel, a winery or another Ribeira Sacra property.

Let us arrange the arrival

We can arrange private transfers from the airport or railway station to any of these starting points. Send us your flight or train details and the number of travelers, and ask us for the rate. We also recommend spending the night at the starting point before the first walk. For more route-specific detail, see our French Way airport guide and Portuguese Way airport guide.