Best route to get to Ferrol

[Susan B Johnson]

Greeting from Minnesota, U.S.! I will be starting the Camino in Ferrol. What is the best mode of transportation to get from Madrid to Ferrol? I don't want to fly into Santiago, because it would spoil my arrival there after the first leg of my journey.

Thanks for any information you can share!

Susan

 

[whariwharangi]

Renfe Train from Madrid Chamartin Renfe Station.

Otherwise fly Madrid to A Coruña
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-A-Coruna/en/Home.html

Take local bus from airport to a bus stop located between bus station and train station. Take Renfe Train from A Coruña to Ferrol.

Renfe
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/

Chamartin station is connected to Madrid Airport by Metro (T1T2T3 and T4) and Cercanias train (T4).

 

[Susan B Johnson]

Thank you for your prompt response! Let me see if I understand your information.

The airport nearest Ferrol is A Coruña?

Do you know if it's possible to purchase a one-way train ticket to Ferrol? I don't see that option on the Renfe booking link.

Thanks again!
Susan

 

[Tincatinker]

One-way tickets are always available. Just enter your date of travel, leave return blank. And yes, A Coruna is the nearest airport to Ferrol.

 

[Castilian]

The airport nearest Ferrol is A Coruña?

Yes, it is. The IATA code of A Coruña airport is LCG. From downtown A Coruña, you can go to Ferrol by train, as whariwharangi told you, or by bus. Buses from downtown A Coruña to Ferrol are operated by www.arriva.gal

Do you know if it's possible to purchase a one-way train ticket to Ferrol?

Yes, it is. You just have to leave blank the return box. BTW, you may be interested in taking a look at www.seat61.com/Spain-trains.htm to know how to use the RENFE web and how to avoid common problems with it.

 

[mylifeonvacation]

I'll just add that if you fly into Coruna and have time, it's an extremely charming city to explore for a day or two. The port in Coruna is the historical starting point for the English Route, located near the church of Santiago (built in the 12th century). I started and ended both of my camino trips there, and been back just for leisure as well. (I'm going back later this month again too! ) It's known as the "Crystal City", and it's truly a jewel of Galicia.

 

[Susan B Johnson]

I'll just add that if you fly into Coruna and have time, it's an extremely charming city to explore for a day or two. The port in Coruna is the historical starting point for the English Route, located near the church of Santiago (built in the 12th century). I started and ended both of my camino trips there, and been back just for leisure as well. (I'm going back later this month again too! ) It's known as the "Crystal City", and it's truly a jewel of Galicia.

Thank you for the information about Coruna. I will arrive in Madrid and have 3 days to fill before starting my camino. Do you recommend I spend my time in Coruna instead of Madrid? Do you advise flying or taking the train from Madrid to Coruna? Thank you for any information you can provide. Susan

 

[mylifeonvacation]

Thank you for the information about Coruna. I will arrive in Madrid and have 3 days to fill before starting my camino. Do you recommend I spend my time in Coruna instead of Madrid? Do you advise flying or taking the train from Madrid to Coruna? Thank you for any information you can provide. Susan

Oh, that's a tough one since there are so many factors to consider. If you haven't been to Madrid, it's definitely worth a visit as a beautiful grand capital city. If museums are your thing, Madrid has a slew of world class sites (The Prado! Reina Sofia! Thyssen-Bornemisma, and many more). Coruña on the other hand is an easy to navigate small charming port city with unique architecture, beautiful beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere. No world class museums, but several small ones, such as Picasso House Museum, which commemorates the time the artist lived in Coruña, from age 9-13. You will eat very well in both places (if you enjoy seafood, Galicia can't be beat). Overall, everything will be less expensive in the north.

For travel options, www.rome2rio.com provides plane, train, bus and car options. With a relatively short time to work with, you'll want to see what option fits best with your arrival times and budget, of course. I've never traveled from Madrid to Coruña so can't speak from experience.

Perhaps most importantly, both cities have excellent spots for churros con chocolate: Chocolateria San Gines in Madrid and Bonilla a Vista in Coruña. (Bonilla also makes some fantastic potato chips if you like salty treats!)

The bus ride from Coruña to Ferrol is about an hour, with departures regularly (perhaps almost hourly?), so you will want to take that into account when planning the journey.

Since we have veered into a tourism conversation, please feel free to PM me if I can help with any additional information. I'm going back to Coruña at the end of the month and have links to several maps and other recommendations that I'd be happy to share. Buen Camino!!

 

[Susan B Johnson]

Renfe Train from Madrid Chamartin Renfe Station.

Otherwise fly Madrid to A Coruña
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-A-Coruna/en/Home.html

Take local bus from airport to a bus stop located between bus station and train station. Take Renfe Train from A Coruña to Ferrol.

Renfe
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/

Chamartin station is connected to Madrid Airport by Metro (T1T2T3 and T4) and Cercanias train (T4).

Hello! thank you for responding. I will finish my walk in Finisterra. I'm trying to figure out how to get back to A Coruña from Finisterra, as the train does not run between those two points.

 

[whariwharangi]

Hello! thank you for responding. I will finish my walk in Finisterra. I'm trying to figure out how to get back to A Coruña from Finisterra, as the train does not run between those two points.

Take Monbus (Empresa Monforte) from Fisterra to Santiago. The bus passes the train station where you can catch Renfe train from Santiago to A Coruña or continue to bus station and take Monbus (Castromil) from Santiago bus station to A Coruña bus station.

Monbus
http://www.monbus.es/es

 

[Castilian]

I'm trying to figure out how to get back to A Coruña from Finisterra

http://autocaresvazquez.net has direct buses from Fisterra to A Coruña.