travel after the Camino

[Andrea Mayfield]

I will be flying home (US) from Madrid after my Camino. I'm thinking about either flying or taking the train from Santiago to Madrid. My first thought was to fly (it's quick) but the more I thought about it, it seemed better to take the train (not quick) so I could take in a little more of the Spanish countryside before heading home. Any thoughts on this transition time from our experienced peragrinos??

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I will be flying home (US) from Madrid after my Camino. I'm thinking about either flying or taking the train from Santiago to Madrid. My first thought was to fly (it's quick) but the more I thought about it, it seemed better to take the train (not quick) so I could take in a little more of the Spanish countryside before heading home. Any thoughts on this transition time from our experienced peragrinos??

Fly, the scenary is rarely beautiful along train tracks and highways. Then spend some time in Madrid if you want.

 

[OzAnnie]

I will be flying home (US) from Madrid after my Camino. I'm thinking about either flying or taking the train from Santiago to Madrid. My first thought was to fly (it's quick) but the more I thought about it, it seemed better to take the train (not quick) so I could take in a little more of the Spanish countryside before heading home. Any thoughts on this transition time from our experienced peragrinos??

Welcome Andrea
If you feel this way and it is your first time to Spain, I would act on my impulse. Depending on time available.

Positive aspects as well are; you wind back a little more slowly to fast flow of life ( You'll be flying all the way to USA from Madrid anyway). Usually more freedom to move about in train.If flying and have check in baggage, train means you wouldn't have to wait at the carousel to collect. The train will take you direct to Madrid centre. If you are planning to stay there for a break this fits.
Kick back and watch Spain as you travel. Sounds nice

Annie

 

[Kitsambler]

Any thoughts on this transition time from our experienced peragrinos??

I can't speak from personal experience in Spain, but I faced the same issue in France. The train allows for some valuable mental and emotional transition time - both because of the train journey itself and because the terminals are so much easier to navigate. There is a substantial shock, at the end of one's pilgrimage, upon returning to the stresses, fast pace, and commercialism of Western urban life. Be gentle with yourself if you're able.

 

[Andrea Mayfield]

thanks for your thoughts -- it helps me in my thinking....

 

[SRM]

I will be flying home (US) from Madrid after my Camino. I'm thinking about either flying or taking the train from Santiago to Madrid. My first thought was to fly (it's quick) but the more I thought about it, it seemed better to take the train (not quick) so I could take in a little more of the Spanish countryside before heading home. Any thoughts on this transition time from our experienced peragrinos??

Depending on the time I have, I have been thinking about renting a car and driving south, either through Spain or Portugal. I am staying in southern Spain for a while but will be flying out of Malaga at the end. I was in Spain about eight years ago and rented a car the time I was there and drove around a great deal. The country is beautiful. I want to be off the beaten track and think this might be the best way. Buen Camino Stephen

 

[naplesdon]

Be aware that the drop off charges rise astronomically if you rent in one country and drop off in another country.

 

[SRM]

Be aware that the drop off charges rise astronomically if you rent in one country and drop off in another country.

Looking on line it appears that I can pick up in Santiago and drop off in Malaga without a penalty through a company like Avis. But if I have to fly or take a train to Malaga to pick up a car for my stay it will probably be about the same and I will miss the adventure of the trip down by car. My main question is safety traveling in Portugal by myself. I am not a small man and people usually don't intimidate me. My two weeks driving around Andalusia last time were great and the people I met were wonderful. I would like to see some of Portugal while I am there, just have no experience with the people.

 

[Patch]

I took the local train from Madrid to Jaca in the Pyrenees a few years back. It was fast, inexpensive, clean and generally a good all round service. The return journey was an express and it had a bar on it. I know how to order a beer in Spanish and that's it but had no problems with tickets etc. Worth bearing in mind that their is more then one train company in Spain so you have to careful when you buy a ticket, also not sure if I had to punch the ticket before the start of the journey. Better then driving in my opinion as you can always get on/off train to have a look around the towns/country.

 

[Introibo]

I took a languorous 3 days to travel to the start of my Camino.
Travelling back, I was home within 8 hours !
On balance, if you can afford the time, and can enjoy the extra time, take it.

It's like the difference between a slow wake up and get up on a Saturday morning, and the harsh
reality of a Monday morning.

 

[naplesdon]

Looking on line it appears that I can pick up in Santiago and drop off in Malaga without a penalty through a company like Avis. But if I have to fly or take a train to Malaga to pick up a car for my stay it will probably be about the same and I will miss the adventure of the trip down by car. My main question is safety traveling in Portugal by myself. I am not a small man and people usually don't intimidate me. My two weeks driving around Andalusia last time were great and the people I met were wonderful. I would like to see some of Portugal while I am there, just have no experience with the people.

I don't think you will find much difference between the people in Portugal and Spain, all of them are friendly and outgoing.

 

[peregrina2000]

Depending on the time I have, I have been thinking about renting a car and driving south, either through Spain or Portugal. I am staying in southern Spain for a while but will be flying out of Malaga at the end. I was in Spain about eight years ago and rented a car the time I was there and drove around a great deal. The country is beautiful. I want to be off the beaten track and think this might be the best way. Buen Camino Stephen

Hi, SRM,
There are many beautiful towns and a lot of very pretty countryside in Portugal if you head straight south from Santiago, especially if you stay off the highways. My only caution would be to make sure the car rental company knows you are traveling to Portugal if you rent the car in Spain. I learned a couple of years ago, after many years of driving back and forth between the two countries, that most car rental places do not insure you outside of Spain (if you rent in Spain) or Portugal (if you rent in Portugal). This seems contrary to the whole EU concept, but that is what I have learned.

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[SRM]

I don't think you will find much difference between the people in Portugal and Spain, all of them are friendly and outgoing.

Thank you , I have found that if I am nice most people react in the same way.

 

[SRM]

Hi, SRM,
There are many beautiful towns and a lot of very pretty countryside in Portugal if you head straight south from Santiago, especially if you stay off the highways. My only caution would be to make sure the car rental company knows you are traveling to Portugal if you rent the car in Spain. I learned a couple of years ago, after many years of driving back and forth between the two countries, that most car rental places do not insure you outside of Spain (if you rent in Spain) or Portugal (if you rent in Portugal). This seems contrary to the whole EU concept, but that is what I have learned.

Buen camino, Laurie

Thanks, I will look into that to help make my decision.

 

[ebrandt]

Looking on line it appears that I can pick up in Santiago and drop off in Malaga without a penalty through a company like Avis. But if I have to fly or take a train to Malaga to pick up a car for my stay it will probably be about the same and I will miss the adventure of the trip down by car. My main question is safety traveling in Portugal by myself. I am not a small man and people usually don't intimidate me. My two weeks driving around Andalusia last time were great and the people I met were wonderful. I would like to see some of Portugal while I am there, just have no experience with the people.

SRM -- I am just emphasizing BiarritzDon's advice. Double check your Avis info by getting on a European car hire site and running the numbers. Car rentals are priced differently in Europe than in the US. For example it is usually not possible to waive insurance in Europe unless you can prove you have coverage. The car hire prices may include insurance but may not. Same thing with one way rentals. Because of these differences, US travel sites often report the final price incorrectly. We have been surprised by additional unexpected charges several times. Liz

 

[SRM]

SRM -- I am just emphasizing BiarritzDon's advice. Double check your Avis info by getting on a European car hire site and running the numbers. Car rentals are priced differently in Europe than in the US. For example it is usually not possible to waive insurance in Europe unless you can prove you have coverage. The car hire prices may include insurance but may not. Same thing with one way rentals. Because of these differences, US travel sites often report the final price incorrectly. We have been surprised by additional unexpected charges several times. Liz

Thanks Liz, I am expecting some additional charges. I usually over insure when I rent in Europe so I don't have problems. I was surprised at the same price regardless of where I picked up, so I expect changes. To be able to see more of the country may be well worth the extra. I really appreciate everyone's advice and help in this. This is a great forum with many wonderful people.
Stephen

 

[fallow]

I am hoping that someone out there can help me - I have wasted hours and hours trying to work out how best to get from Sarria to Madrid at the end of my Camino in September. It is a very frustrating process - neither renfe nor petrabax have given me any answers - anyone able to assist? My thanks in anticipation!

 

[Kanga]

@fallow is this thread any use?

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...including-santiago-sarria-and-fisterra.23478/

If not, try searching through this part of the forum

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/traveling-to-from-the-camino.19/

 

[mspath]

Fallow,

Try clicking on these suggestions from a Rome2Rio search.

Good luck and Buen camino!

MM