Alsa Bus and luggage

[RussGianni]

I trying to purchase my one way ticket from Santiago de Compostela to Porto.I cannot find any info on bringing my luggage with me( a small carry on and a knapsack) anyone taken this bus? Can I store at least my carry on bag above me? Or is it stored underneath the bus? I need advise here pkease!

 

[J Willhaus]

Usually not room above your head for a suitcase or large backpack. If there is an overhead shelf (not on all buses) you might fit a daybag. Bring your valuables and anything you want for the trip on board (book, etc.) and the rest goes under the bus.

 

[dick bird]

The driver or bus company staff usually supervise getting bags in and out of the underneath locker so your backpack should be safe.

 

[alexwalker]

Keep your important belongings (cards, passport, tickets, phone, etc.) with you at all times. All what you cannot lose. All other items can be bought.

 

[DTCamino]

Like the others said any large bags go underneath the bus, and keep valuables with you.
You can wait until nearly departure to put your backpack underneath the bus, I usually wait until near the end to do that, then slide someone else’s bag over mine when I stow it underneath. That way it doesn’t sit there the whole time during boarding and with another bag on top of mine, no one will bother moving a bag to get to mine. The busses board and leave fairly quickly so there isn’t that long of a window for your bag to just sit there.

 

[dick bird]

Can I store at least my carry on bag above me?

Unless it is enormous, yes, you stash it above your head or under your feet or on your lap.

 

[RussGianni]

and payment? If I decide not to pre purchase my ticket, can I pay getting on the bus with my contactless visa credit card?

 

[DTCamino]

and payment? If I decide not to pre purchase my ticket, can I pay getting on the bus with my contactless visa credit card?

I’ve always just loaded the app (Alsa) and you can buy your ticket that way contactless whenever you want. You just show the bar code which they scan.

 

[Itsnever2late]

I’ve always just loaded the app (Alsa) and you can buy your ticket that way contactless whenever you want. You just show the bar code which they scan.

Agree ALSA app is your friend, and in some situations can help you avoid unwanted passport/ID checks.

As mentioned above prepare to store all large luggage (anything larger than 25L, estimate) and follow usual best practices for keeping your luggage safe.

 

[Rhys]

I have ridden a few Alsa buses in the past month.

(1) first if you know the bus you want buy the ticket ahead on the Alsa app, (which is much better than the Renfe app). Tickets do sell out as I have learned much to my chagrin. Set up an Alsa account and then you can put your ticket in your Apple wallet. Also, in many cases, if you buy on the app, you can pay an extra € or so to select your seat and not be in the last row. I like a window seat toward the front of the bus so I can enjoy the scenery.

(2). My 36 L backpack goes underneath with everyone else’s luggage – lots of shopping, suitcases, etc. I keep my Crossbody/day bag with me with all the important stuff. I have never worried about my backpack in the bowels of an Alsa or other bus.

 

[RussGianni]

I have ridden a few Alsa buses in the past month.

(1) first if you know the bus you want buy the ticket ahead on the Alsa app, (which is much better than the Renfe app). Tickets do sell out as I have learned much to my chagrin. Set up an Alsa account and then you can put your ticket in your Apple wallet. Also, in many cases, if you buy on the app, you can pay an extra € or so to select your seat and not be in the last row. I like a window seat toward the front of the bus so I can enjoy the scenery.

(2). My 36 L backpack goes underneath with everyone else’s luggage – lots of shopping, suitcases, etc. I keep my Crossbody/day bag with me with all the important stuff. I have never worried about my backpack in the bowels of an Alsa or other bus.

Thanks! Just downloaded the app, bought my ticket, and it’s in my Apple wallet as well as my offline Google Drive!

 

[alexwalker]

and payment? If I decide not to pre purchase my ticket, can I pay getting on the bus with my contactless visa credit card?

In my 16+ years of Caminos, I have never pre-booked buses/trains for getting from A to B. But I walk in spring and/or autumn. I buy my ticket at the station, the same day.

 

[RussGianni]

In my 16+ years of Caminos, I have never pre-booked buses/trains for getting from A to B. But I walk in spring and/or autumn.

That’s interesting. Because I’m glad I prebooked them as there were only two seats remaining on that certain bus and trip I needed! I never expected the bus to be so full, as in all my years of bus travel in Europe and Mexico, it has never been a problem to buy the ticket day of at the bus station

 

[alexwalker]

That’s interesting. Because I’m glad I prebooked them as there were only two seats remaining on that certain bus and trip I needed! I never expected the bus to be so full, as in all my years of bus travel in Europe and Mexico, it has never been a problem to buy the ticket day of at the bus station

I just have a relaxed attitude: If it is full (has never happened), I buy a ticket for the next day, find a place to stay for the night, have a good dinner/evening, and go the next day.

I :should say, though: I am retired, without a return ticket home (I fix it whenever I'm done), so I just keep calm and wing it. What happens, happen, and I simply adjust.

IMHO: The best plan is to not have a plan: Go with the flow.

 

[Rhys]

And I have also encountered “bus full” when I tried to book 2-3 days ahead. Fortunately, in each case there were three or four buses each day, and I could find one to book, although the schedule was less than optimal.

Demand for buses is increasing as petrol prices have risen. I also have never felt the need to book more than 24 hours in advance in past years throughout Europe. But now, with more people choosing to use the bus for economic or environmental reasons, and tourism up, I will book buses in advance.

 

[RussGianni]

And I have also encountered “bus full” when I tried to book 2-3 days ahead. Fortunately, in each case there were three or four buses each day, and I could find one to book, although the schedule was less than optimal.

Demand for buses is increasing as petrol prices have risen. I also have never felt the need to book more than 24 hours in advance in past years throughout Europe. But now, with more people choosing to use the bus for economic or environmental reasons, and tourism up, I will book buses in advance.

I am on a very tight schedule. I have to get to Porto early on that day,

 

[alexwalker]

I am on a very tight schedule. I have to get to Porto early on that day,

I fully understand you: Being still at work/occupation, days for walking a Camino are numbered. I have the luxury of not caring about time: I begin when I begin, I end when I end, and it takes as long as it takes.

The privilege of being retired with a good lifelong pension.

 

[Rhys]

@RussGianni — very glad you got the bus ticket you need.

I am *almost*as lucky — the bus I desired was sold out 5 days before, but the next one with a loooong transfer was available and will work. I grabbed it and will have a supper picnic at the bus station.

 

[RussGianni]

@RussGianni — very glad you got the bus ticket you need.

I am *almost*as lucky — the bus I desired was sold out 5 days before, but the next one with a loooong transfer was available and will work. I grabbed it and will have a supper picnic at the bus station.

When and where are you walking?

 

[J Willhaus]

In my 16+ years of Caminos, I have never pre-booked buses/trains for getting from A to B. But I walk in spring and/or autumn. I buy my ticket at the station, the same day.

We have been skunked a couple of times and had to take later trains (trains especially) and Phil and I had to sit in different cars or seat assignments that were not together on the bus a time or two. Advanced train and bus are the ONE thing that I usually do in advance. With train you often get a discount for buying early.

 

[OzAnnie]

I buy my ticket at the station, the same day.

I understand you Alex. Though sometimes the train stations are unmanned and you can’t buy tickets there. I bought my ticket online today via Renfe app on my phone.
This was the situation today at La Gineta for a 10 minute train ride to La Roda on the camino de Levante., which covered 20klms at 5.47pm.
Possibly the ticket inspector on the train may have accepted cash payment 3€ … not sure.
Re unmanned stations : it felt rather weird to see a largish station with all doors locked and not a soul about anywhere.
Edit: the train looked quite full and I doubt it would even have stopped at this station if there was no record of a ticket purchased online.

 

[WGroleau]

I trying to purchase my one way ticket from Santiago de Compostela to Porto.I cannot find any info on bringing my luggage with me( a small carry on and a knapsack) anyone taken this bus? Can I store at least my carry on bag above me? Or is it stored underneath the bus? I need advise here pkease!

I put my entire bicycle and other luggage in the luggage bays under Spanish buses. Alsa, and several other companies. They are similar to Greyhound buses, although the toilet room was always next to the exit door in the middle. Almost always there were a few pilgrims with packs underneath. On trips when I had only a mochila, I would just carry it on with me. There were always plenty of empty seats so I never had to keep it in my lap.