Bus station or airport for spending the night in Santiago?

[chinalil]

Hi all, I am planning to start walking the Invierno from Ponferrada on 26/4l....
I have around 5 hours to spend in SdeC from 0030 until 0545 when I catch the bus to Ponferrada
is it better to remain at the airport then get a taxi to the bus station?
...or take a taxi straight to the bus station and wait there...
Or are there other options?....apart from very brief stay somewhere!
Thank you all

 

[J Willhaus]

The bus station is quite nice now. The airport is also nice. I doubt you'll find coffee shops open at this time either place so I think it is a tossup.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, @chinalil,

I have not spent the night in either the bus station or the airport, but I think I'd opt for the airport. Others have reported that there are safe and quiet places to stretch out.

The bus station is now merged with the train station in Santiago into one big intermodal station. I am sure it's perfectly safe, but it is just a much bigger space and you might not find it as easy to sleep there.

Good luck and buen camino.

 

[Lindsay53]

I don't remember seeing many benches or corners at the bus station where you could lie down. The airport may be a better option.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Hi all, I am planning to start walking the Invierno from Ponferrada on 26/4l....
I have around 5 hours to spend in SdeC from 0030 until 0545 when I catch the bus to Ponferrada
is it better to remain at the airport then get a taxi to the bus station?
...or take a taxi straight to the bus station and wait there...
Or are there other options?....apart from very brief stay somewhere!
Thank you all

The authoritative guide to sleeping at SDC airport.

Santiago de Compostela Airport Guide

Our Santiago de Compostela Airport Guide contains information about airport lounges, wifi, nearby hotels, hours of operation, facilities and things to do on a layover.

www.sleepinginairports.net

 

[FourSeasons]

The authoritative guide to sleeping at SDC airport.

Santiago de Compostela Airport Guide

Our Santiago de Compostela Airport Guide contains information about airport lounges, wifi, nearby hotels, hours of operation, facilities and things to do on a layover.

www.sleepinginairports.net

Great info here. This is the way I’d go. Safe, clean and overnight passengers are the norm.

 

[C clearly]

Hi @chinalil ! Will you be stretching your legs by starting your walk that same day, after your restful night?

 

[OTH86]

You might catch a bus or taxi to the Rey Fernando Hostal which is very near the entry to the bus terminal. You might contact them (+34981593550) to see if you can arrive late - it might be worth a reasonable sleep... It's a decent place. I'd stay there again if I had a tight connection and an early departure at the bus station - says this lol with white hair... good luck and Buen Camino!

 

[Simperegrina]

Don’t know about the train station but you can’t access the interior of the bus station ie seats, benches, facilities etc, in the early hours. The doors are locked. I caught the 0530 bus to Ponferrada on 12 Mar to start the Invierno, and had to wait till about 0510 when the bus arrived and the gate was opened to enable the driver to drive the bus around the stands to gate 19 ( I think that was the gate). I had slept in San Martin Pinario that night. Not sure I’d have fancied setting off with no sleep but as ever YMMV.

 

[J Willhaus]

The bus station is quite nice now. The airport is also nice. I doubt you'll find coffee shops open at this time either place so I think it is a tossup.

OK, I think I have changed my mind as it sounds like the bus station won't be open. Just be sure you can get a taxi down to the bus station in time for your bus.

 

[BernardK]

Airport. Slept ( well nearly slept ) plenty of nice corners to sleep and quiet.
Had a very early flight out so went there just before 10pm and got a coffee etc and was feeling quite safe.
Good luck Bernard

 

[Marianne Hansen]

Hi all, I am planning to start walking the Invierno from Ponferrada on 26/4l....
I have around 5 hours to spend in SdeC from 0030 until 0545 when I catch the bus to Ponferrada
is it better to remain at the airport then get a taxi to the bus station?
...or take a taxi straight to the bus station and wait there...
Or are there other options?....apart from very brief stay somewhere!
Thank you all

There is a new bus station/train station in SdeC and there's an albergue less than 5 mins away. Albergue Estacione. Hope this helps

 

[Glenshiro]

If you stay at the airport you'll need to get a taxi to the Intermodal Station - first bus is at 07:00. (Last one is 00:30) Timetable here.

 

[isobelmtl]

You can’t lie down on benches in the Madrid airport either….strategic arm rests! I slept on the floor in Madrid airport using my sleeping bag last May 1 . Because that is a national holiday I could/would not pay for a high priced hotel near airport for early am flight. I am 76 and managed ok. The floor is damned hard .., marble texture but no one bothered me. I wondered it I’d be able to get up in am but, all was well

 

[Vacajoe]

It’s Spain! 5:45am is just minutes after dinner…. Seriously, you can just have a really late night meal in SdC, then head to the bus station once everything closes.