Madrid vs Porto?

[TheLazyPilgrim]

Good morning from Brisbane!

I just had a question about travelling from Santiago back to Paris. I have booked a return flight from Paris to Brisbane as this was the cheapest option for me, and of course I am starting in SJPdP. Once I finish the Camino, I plan on getting back to Paris, but I haven't yet booked my return route, and I certainly won't be walking there. My question is: what is the easiest way to return to Paris?

I had thought to catch a bus or train to either Porto or Madrid, spend a couple of nights there and then catch a cheap flight back to Paris. Thoughts on this? I have no real knowledge of either city, but I would love to visit one of them if possible.

Thanks in advance!

Scott

 

[terryenroute]

Hello Scott;

When I did this same thing, I stayed in this albergue in Santiago.

https://www.gronze.com/galicia/coruna/santiago-compostela/residencia-peregrinos-san-lazaro

It was great in that there is a bus stop right on the corner. When returning home, I simply went to the corner, caught the bus clearly marked airport, and was at the Santiago airport in 5 minutes. From there, I used this goeuro site to book a flight to Paris a few days ahead.

https://www.goeuro.com/travel-searc...-be84dd0cab5b&user_locale=en&v=wa_dw_bwg:ctrl

I just had a look try and got this price. (see attached)
Easy peasy!

I see that you are in Brisbane OZ.
Mistermac a multicamino pilgrim who is on this site is in Brisbane as well, and I am sure that he would be glad to offer any advice.

Have Fun!

 

[Anamiri]

Last year we flew to Paris directly from Santiago. Easy.
An airport full of pilgrims and their stories, so it extended the length of our Camino a bit as well. .

 

[TheLazyPilgrim]

Hello Scott;

When I did this same thing, I stayed in this albergue in Santiago.

https://www.gronze.com/galicia/coruna/santiago-compostela/residencia-peregrinos-san-lazaro

It was great in that there is a bus stop right on the corner. When returning home, I simply went to the corner, caught the bus clearly marked airport, and was at the Santiago airport in 5 minutes. From there, I used this goeuro site to book a flight to Paris a few days ahead.

Hi Terry,

Thanks for the recommendation for the albergue - I'll definitely take a look. I am interested in visiting either Porto or Madrid on my way home though, as while my main reason for going to Europe is the Camino, it is also my first trip to Europe, so I am interested in taking in at least one more major city before I have to depart. If you have visited either Porto or Madrid, I'd be interested in hearing your opinion on those cities .

Thanks, Scott!

 

[Anamiri]

I haven't been to Porto, but loved Madrid.

 

[Dorpie]

Hi Scott,

Sorry, can't give specific advice on flights though I suspect both would work out well. I have however visited both cities after Caminos though and they were both great. Porto was definitely less hassle, cheaper and quicker to get to and for me was a marginal favourite. While for a capital city Madrid is relaxed and stylish and many other wonderful things I found Porto utterly charming with lots to do and see in a reltively small area, a definite plus after lots of walking.

But I really don't think you'd be disappointed with either of them.

Buen Camino,

Rob.

 

[natefaith]

I love Porto and can recommend it highly. There is a lot to do, but it's accessible, cheaper than a major city, and has water in the form of the River Douro and the ocean. It would be a great stop especially since it's easy to get to from Santiago. Madrid will always be there . I'd go to Porto if I were you!

Enjoy all the planning and Buen Camino!
Faith

 

[Rob the Slob]

Both cities are wonderful, although Porto is perhaps slightly more picturesque. However, tourist numbers in Porto are rising explosively, from what I've heard, so you might want to make it a priority now before it turns into another Dubrovnik or Venice.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I have flown TAP several times, which has made Porto a possible destination/connection city. I have never found cheap flights from there, so I think you will do better with Madrid. They have cheap flights all the time at the odder hours of the day, though I got a midday flight to Toulouse for 45E one time.

 

[dfox]

Hi Terry,
Thanks for the recommendation for the albergue -

Last April, I stayed in a single-person in San Martín Pinario, Santiago de Compostela, for 23 euro including breakfast. The lunch was 10 euro including a bottle of wine and a bottle of water, even though I was the only person at the table. It is two minutes walk to the Cathedral. Highly recommended. (There are more "expensive" rooms in this "hotel" too.)

Madrid or Porto, both of them are good. Each of them has its uniqueness.

 

[TheLazyPilgrim]

Hi Scott,

Sorry, can't give specific advice on flights though I suspect both would work out well. I have however visited both cities after Caminos though and they were both great. Porto was definitely less hassle, cheaper and quicker to get to and for me was a marginal favourite. While for a capital city Madrid is relaxed and stylish and many other wonderful things I found Porto utterly charming with lots to do and see in a reltively small area, a definite plus after lots of walking.

But I really don't think you'd be disappointed with either of them.

Buen Camino,

Rob.

Thanks Rob,

Coupled with some more advice I've received above, I think with the money I save in Porto compared to Madrid I can afford to spend a bit extra flying from Porto back to Paris. Thanks for taking the time to reply!

Scott

 

[TheLazyPilgrim]

I love Porto and can recommend it highly. There is a lot to do, but it's accessible, cheaper than a major city, and has water in the form of the River Douro and the ocean. It would be a great stop especially since it's easy to get to from Santiago. Madrid will always be there . I'd go to Porto if I were you!

Enjoy all the planning and Buen Camino!
Faith

Thanks Faith!

I think I'm sold on Porto .

Scott

 

[TheLazyPilgrim]

I have flown TAP several times, which has made Porto a possible destination/connection city. I have never found cheap flights from there, so I think you will do better with Madrid. They have cheap flights all the time at the odder hours of the day, though I got a midday flight to Toulouse for 45E one time.

Thanks for the advice!

Scott

 

[RJM]

I believe Vueling airlines has a direct flight from Santiago to Paris CDG.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Porto? Madrid? Neither is a bad option. I'd wait and see where I could get a cheap flight from and take it from there!

 

[Thurland]

I haven't been to Porto, but loved Madrid.

I haven't been to Madrid - but I loved Porto!!

 

[KariC]

Hello Scott;

When I did this same thing, I stayed in this albergue in Santiago.

https://www.gronze.com/galicia/coruna/santiago-compostela/residencia-peregrinos-san-lazaro

It was great in that there is a bus stop right on the corner. When returning home, I simply went to the corner, caught the bus clearly marked airport, and was at the Santiago airport in 5 minutes. From there, I used this goeuro site to book a flight to Paris a few days ahead.

https://www.goeuro.com/travel-search2/results/804953191/flight?abTestParameters=&adults=1&arrival_fk=379727&children=0&departure_date=02/10/2018&departure_fk=378431&infants=0&srpQueryParams=v=wa_dw_bwg:ctrl&travel_mode=train&user_currency=USD&user_domain=com&user_id=522e3c18-1178-4a2c-9948-be84dd0cab5b&user_locale=en&v=wa_dw_bwg:ctrl

I just had a look try and got this price. (see attached)
Easy peasy!

I see that you are in Brisbane OZ.
Mistermac a multicamino pilgrim who is on this site is in Brisbane as well, and I am sure that he would be glad to offer any advice.

Have Fun!

I too returned home from Paris, and flew from Santiago to Paris direct.