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Camino de Santiago Travel Guide: How to Get to the Start (and Back Again)

Camino de Santiago Travel Guide: How to Get to the Start (and Back Again)

Discover how to travel to the start and from the end of your Camino vacation. Including public transport, useful tools and travel tips.

By Kirsty Schneider
June 17, 2026
13 min read

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Hiking the Camino de Santiago is one of Europe’s most iconic long-distance journeys - but before the adventure begins, there’s one important thing to plan: how to actually get to your Camino starting point, and how to return home at the end.

With so many different Camino routes - and even more options for shorter-stage itineraries - travel logistics can feel confusing at first. Some starting points are in major cities with direct airport connections, while others are in small mountain villages where you’ll need a combination of trains, buses, and sometimes a short taxi transfer.

This guide is designed to make things simple.

Below, you’ll find practical travel information for every Camino route we offer, including:

The closest airports (with airport codes)
How to reach your chosen start point by train or bus
The easiest way to travel back from the finish
Useful tools for booking public transport
Suggestions for extending your trip before or after your walk

How to Get to Your Camino Start (and Back Again)

Planning your Camino vacation is exciting - but working out how to reach your starting point (and how to get home afterwards) can feel like the most confusing part.

To make things simple, we’ve put together straightforward travel guidance for every Camino itinerary we offer, including the best airports, train routes, and bus connections.

St Jean Pied de Port (Camino Francés Start)

St Jean Pied de Port is the classic starting point of the full Camino Francés and Camino Francés Stage 1, located just over the French border in the Pyrenees.

Flying to St Jean Pied de Port

The closest airports are:

Biarritz Airport (BIQ) – the most convenient option
San Sebastián Airport (EAS) – small airport, limited flights
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Paris Orly (ORY) – best for international arrivals

Arriving by Train

Travel to Bayonne Station (Gare de Bayonne)
Take the local train from Bayonne → St Jean Pied de Port
This is the most common pilgrim route into town.

Arriving by Bus

Some local buses operate between Bayonne and nearby villages, though trains are generally easier.

Getting Back After Your Walk

If you’ve completed the full route and finished in Santiago:

Return to SCQ Airport by airport bus or taxi

If you’ve completed Stage 1 and finished in Logroño:

If heading to Bilbao, take a direct coach to Bilbao, then the airport bus to Bilbao airport (BIO)
If going to Madrid, hop on a train which takes approx. 4.5hrs, or a direct bus which takes around 4hrs.

Logroño (Camino Francés: Stage 2 Start)

Logroño is a fantastic starting point, especially for hikers wanting Rioja scenery and wine-country stages.

Flying to Logroño

Closest airports include:

Bilbao Airport (BIO) – easiest option
Madrid Airport (MAD) – good alternative

Arriving by Bus

Fly into Bilbao (BIO)
Take the airport bus to Bilbao city
Travel from Bilbao Intermodal Bus Station
Take a direct coach from Bilbao - Logroño

Arriving by Train

Train routes are possible, but buses are often simpler for this region.

Getting Back from The End of Your Trip

Your last destination for the stage is Burgos, which is about a 90min train or bus ride from Madrid or Bilbao, which is 2-3 hours by train or bus.

Burgos (Camino Frances: Stage 3 Start)

Burgos is a popular shorter-stage starting point with excellent transport connections.

Flying to Burgos

Closest airports:

Madrid Airport (MAD)
Bilbao Airport (BIO)

Arriving by Train

Fly into Madrid
Take the train from Madrid - Burgos Rosa de Lima Station

Arriving by Bus

Direct ALSA coaches also run frequently from Madrid.

Getting Back from The End of Your Trip

León is the finishing line for this stage, as it is well connected back to Madrid by train or bus for onward flights.

Views of Episcopal palace in Astorga, Leon, Spain

León (Camino Francés: Stage 4 Start)

León is a beautiful historic city and a popular Camino starting point for a shorter itinerary.

Flying to León

The nearest airports are:

León Airport (LEN) – limited flights
Madrid Airport (MAD) – best international connections

Arriving by Train

Arrive in Madrid
Travel to Madrid Chamartín Station
Take a direct train from Madrid - León

Arriving by Bus

Long-distance ALSA coaches also run between Madrid and León.

Getting Back from The End of Your Trip

O Cebriero is the last stop on this stage. Most travelers return via Santiago for flights home.

O Cebreiro (Camino Frances: Stage 5 Start)

O Cebreiro is one of the most iconic Camino villages, set high in the Galician mountains.

Flying to O Cebreiro

The nearest airports are:

Santiago Airport (SCQ)
A Coruña Airport (LCG)

Arriving by Public Transport

O Cebreiro is rural, so travel usually involves several steps:

Fly into Santiago
Travel to Santiago city centre
Take a train or bus towards Lugo or Piedrafita do Cebreiro
Continue by local bus or taxi up to O Cebreiro

Getting Back from The End of Your Trip

Most travelers return via Santiago for flights home.

If traveling from overseas, many hikers connect via:

Madrid (MAD) with internal flights on Vueling or Iberia
Or travel overland by train (7–8 hours)

Sarria (Camino Francés: Final Stage)

Sarria is the most popular starting point for hiking the final 100km into Santiago.

Flying to Sarria

The closest airports are:

Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ)
A Coruña Airport (LCG)

Arriving by Train

Fly into Santiago (SCQ)
Take the airport bus or taxi to Santiago city
Travel to Santiago Intermodal Station
Take a regional train from Santiago - Sarria

Arriving by Bus

Buses also run from Santiago to Sarria, depending on the day and season.

Getting Back from The End of Your Trip

After finishing in Santiago:

Return to Santiago Airport (SCQ) by airport bus or taxi

Man walking in Santiago with the Compostela in the background

Santiago de Compostela (Camino Finish)

Santiago is the finish point for almost all Camino routes.

Flying from Santiago (SCQ)

If traveling from overseas, many hikers connect via:

Madrid (MAD) with internal flights on Vueling or Iberia
Or travel overland by train (7–8 hours)

Arriving by Train

Santiago’s main rail hub is:

Santiago Intermodal Station

Timetables and fares can be viewed at RENFE.

Arriving by Bus

Santiago also has strong long-distance bus connections across Galicia and Spain.

Camino del Norte Stage 1 - San Sebastián to Bilbao

San Sebastián (Camino del Norte Start)

San Sebastián is a stunning coastal city and a top starting point for the Northern Way.

Flying to San Sebastián

Closest airports:

San Sebastián Airport (EAS) – limited flights
Bilbao Airport (BIO) – most common option

Arriving by Bus

Fly into Bilbao
Take the bus from Bilbao Intermodal Station
Arrive in San Sebastián in around 1 hour

Getting Back from The End of Your Trip

If you’ve completed the full route and finished in Santiago:

Return to SCQ Airport by airport bus or taxi

If you’ve completed Stage 1 and finished in Bilbao:

Return to Bilbao Airport (BIO) for your flight home

Bilbao (Camino del Norte: Stage 2 Start)

Flying to Bilbao

Bilbao Airport (BIO) is just outside the city

Arriving by Bus

Airport buses run frequently to central Bilbao.

Getting Back from The End of Your Trip

Santander is your end destination. You can fly home from Santander Airport (SDR).

Santander (Camino del Norte: Stage 3 Start)

Flying to Santander

Santander Airport (SDR)

Arriving by Train

Santander Train Station (RENFE)

Arriving by Bus

Santander Bus Station (Estación de Autobuses)

Getting Back from The End of Your Trip

Gijon is where your trip ends. Asturias Airport (OVD) is the closest airport. Hop on a bus, and you’ll be there in around 45 mins.

Gijón (Camino del Norte: Stage 4 Start)

Flying to Gijón

Closest airport:

Asturias Airport (OVD)

Arriving by Train

Travel onwards to Gijón Railway Station via Oviedo.

Getting Back from The End of Your Trip

Ribadeo is the final destination of this stage. Asturias Airport (OVD) or A Coruña Airport (LCG) are the closest airports which you can get to by bus.

Ribadeo (Camino del Norte: Stage 5 Start)

Ribadeo is a smaller coastal town, best reached via regional transport.

Flying to Ribadeo

Closest airports:

Asturias Airport (OVD)
A Coruña Airport (LCG)

Arriving by Bus

Fly into Asturias or A Coruña
Travel to the nearest city hub
Continue onwards by regional coach to Ribadeo

Getting Back from The End of Your Trip

You’ve made it to Santiago, and the end of your trip. From here, you can jump on the airport bus or grab a taxi to Santiago Airport (SCQ).

Ferrol (Camino Inglés Start)

Flying to Ferrol

Closest airport:

A Coruña Airport (LCG)

Arriving by Train

Fly into A Coruña
Travel to A Coruña train station
Take the train to Ferrol Station

Getting Back from The End of Your Trip

Finish in Santiago and fly from Santiago Airport (SCQ).

Le Puy-en-Velay (Camino Le Puy Start)

Flying to Le Puy

Closest airports:

Lyon Airport (LYS)
Clermont-Ferrand Airport (CFE)

Arriving by Train

Travel by regional train from Lyon to Le Puy-en-Velay Station

Getting Back from The End of Your Trip

If you’ve completed the full Le Puy Way, you’ll finish in St Jean Pied de Port.
The closest airports are:

Biarritz Airport (BIQ) – the most convenient option
San Sebastián Airport (EAS) – small airport, limited flights
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Paris Orly (ORY) – best for international departures

Departing by Train

Take the local train to Bayonne
Travel from Bayonne Station (Gare de Bayonne)

This is the most common pilgrim route into town.

Departing by Bus

Some local buses operate between Bayonne and nearby villages, though trains are generally easier.

If you’ve completed Le Puy Way Stages 1 and 2 (a combined itinerary), you’ll finish in Conques, where Toulouse has the closest airport (TLS).

Conques (Camio Le Puy: Stage 3 & 4 Combined Start)

Conques is rural and requires a combination of rail + road transfer.

Flying to Conques

Closest airport:

Toulouse Airport (TLS)

Arriving by Train & Taxi

Fly into Toulouse
Take a train towards the nearest rail station
Continue by taxi or local bus to Conques

Getting Back from The End of Your Trip

Lectoure is the finishing line for this leg of the Camino Le Puy. Toulouse is the closest airport, which you can get to by local bus.

Pilgrims descending from the Rock of Saint Michael

Lectoure (Camino Le Puy: Stage 5 & 6 Combined Start)

Flying to Lectoure

Closest airport:

Toulouse Airport (TLS)

Arriving by Bus

Lectoure is best reached via regional buses from Toulouse.

Getting Back from The End of Your Trip

St Jean Pied de Port is the end of the Camino Le Puy.

The closest airports are:

Biarritz Airport (BIQ) – the most convenient option
San Sebastián Airport (EAS) – small airport, limited flights
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Paris Orly (ORY) – best for international arrivals

Departing by Train