Best mode of transport from Ponferrada to Samos

[Giulia Falsetti]

Hello All:
Am doing the Camino Frances in August and because of my limited time, I need to take public transport from Ponferrada to Samos, both places of which I've been told not to miss. I want to leave Ponferrada in the afternoon, after visiting the Templar Castle, and arrive in Samos in the evening. I presume I will have to make transfers / stops along the way, but not sure where? The distance seems quite far and $$$ via cab. Has anyone done this specific route? Thanks much, GF

 

[William Marques]

Giulia

I am not sure why you would want to miss the section you have indicated. To me and I think to many others it is one of the most interesting sections of the Camino.

I do not care for Ponferrada and if you are starting in Samos why not get a train or bus to Sarria and a taxi or bus from there.

 

[Giulia Falsetti]

Thanks for your input - as I mentioned, I have time constraints. I am starting in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and doing 85% of the route, and, inevitably, I need to unfortunately skip certain parts. I appreciate your input and may reconsider bypassing Ponferrada...I'm curious to hear other opinions on Ponferrada......thanks again....

 

[Tincatinker]

Hi Giuilia and welcome to the forum. That is quite a challenge you have set the forum. I presume you have tried the RENFE, ALSA, MONBUS and other public transport sites already so you will be aware that there are no direct, or simple indirect routes connecting Ponferrada and Samos. Indeed the most direct route is to walk the Camino.

As William has commented Ponferrada has few attractions but the route from there via Villafranca del Bierzo and O'Cebreiro is frequently beautiful. If your time is constrained consider starting from Pamplona / Burgos / Leon giving you the opportunity to walk rather than struggle with public transport which may absorb many days of your available time.

 

[Giulia Falsetti]

Hi Giuilia and welcome to the forum. That is quite a challenge you have set the forum. I presume you have tried the RENFE, ALSA, MONBUS and other public transport sites already so you will be aware that there are no direct, or simple indirect routes connecting Ponferrada and Samos. Indeed the most direct route is to walk the Camino.

As William has commented Ponferrada has few attractions but the route from there via Villafranca del Bierzo and O'Cebreiro is frequently beautiful. If your time is constrained consider starting from Pamplona / Burgos / Leon giving you the opportunity to walk rather than struggle with public transport which may absorb many days of your available time.

 

[Giulia Falsetti]

Hello:
Thank you very much for your helpful info - I appreciate your insight. Alas, I have already booked my flight to SJPDP. Looks like I'll have to rethink my schedule......

 

[Tincatinker]

Giuilia, where are you flying in to? Bordeaux?

 

[Giulia Falsetti]

Yes, I am

 

[Tincatinker]

Then you have a possible route of train Bordeaux to Irun, Irun to Pamplona, walk from Pamplona, or train onward to Burgos and walk from there.

There are several other possibilities for skipping forward on various parts of the Camino, its just the logistics of your Ponferrada - Samos leap that are particularly challenging.

Best of luck and Buen Camino.

 

[Giulia Falsetti]

Thank you. I've actually found an ALSA bus that travels from Ponferrada to Piedrafita do Cebreiro.......perhaps I'll walk to Samos from there....

 

[whariwharangi]

Looks like there is bus service from Sarria to Piedrafita do Cebreiro that stops in Samos. Schedule is quite limited ... one per day. No information on where the bus stops.

One way would be to take the ALSA bus from Ponferrada to Piedrafita do Cebreiro and then the Empresa Monforte bus from Piedrafita do Cebreiro to Samos. Empresa Monforte does not have a website though there is a yellow pages listing.

Probably you'd be better off taking the Renfe train from Ponferrada to Sarria then take a taxi to Samos.

Another option is ALSA Ponferrada to Lugo, Monbus Lugo to Sarria, and taxi to Samos.

Concello de Samos Transporte
http://www.concellosamos.es/portal_...layout=p_95_contenedor_ayto_samos.jsp&level=1

 

[Giulia Falsetti]

Thank you so very much!!! This is perfect because there is a bus leaving Ponferrada to Piedrafita do Cebreiro at 5am.....this will give me a full day in Samos to rest, meditate and visit the monastery.....I really appreciate your help. I've spent hours to trying to find a route and you saved me more time!
Much appreciated......

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Bus

 

[Giulia Falsetti]

Thank you for helping me find my way! Much appreciated!