bus from porto to santiago

[craigmiller]

We shall be walking from Santiago to Muxia and Finisterre in Sept. Bus tickets for Porto to Santiago indicate that we should be at the embarkation desk at least 2 hours before scheduled departure (for international travel). That requirement puts us on a very tight schedule without any margin for delay. Further, there is no bus terminal in Porto, so there is no "embarkation desk". Does anyone have any experience with Alsa bus from Porto to offer some advice.

 

[whariwharangi]

Your post is the first time that there is any indication of a two hour time requirement for bus travel across Schengen zone borders. I would suggest contacting ALSA for clarification.

ALSA bus goes from Casa de Musica metro station and airport in Porto.

Autna bus goes from Airport and 2 other locations in Porto to Vigo. Monbus goes from Vigo to Santiago. Autna has more buses daily than does ALSA.

Renfe and CP operate Celta train from Porto Campanha to Vigo Guixar. Renfe operates trains from Vigo Guixar to Santiago.

 

[jsalt]

Does anyone have any experience with Alsa bus from Porto to offer some advice.

Hi, there is no point getting to the Alsa bus stop at Casa de Musica 2 hours before the bus leaves. The few times I’ve been on that Alsa bus the driver gets off and goes for a cup of coffee. He ain’t gonna let you board, or put your bags in the luggage hold, until he comes back, which is usually about 2 minutes before the scheduled bus departure time. If you have bought your tickets already, and don’t need to buy one at the ticket desk, which is in the waiting room at the top of the steps leading down to the metro, you are fine to arrive, say, 10 or 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. That bus can get quite full, so best to book in advance anyway.
Jill

 

[craigmiller]

Your post is the first time that there is any indication of a two hour time requirement for bus travel across Schengen zone borders. I would suggest contacting ALSA for clarification.

ALSA bus goes from Casa de Musica metro station and airport in Porto.

Autna bus goes from Airport and 2 other locations in Porto to Vigo. Monbus goes from Vigo to Santiago. Autna has more buses daily than does ALSA.

Renfe and CP operate Celta train from Porto Campanha to Vigo Guixar. Renfe operates trains from Vigo Guixar to Santiago.

thanks for the info.

 

[craigmiller]

Hi, there is no point getting to the Alsa bus stop at Casa de Musica 2 hours before the bus leaves. The few times I’ve been on that Alsa bus the driver gets off and goes for a cup of coffee. He ain’t gonna let you board, or put your bags in the luggage hold, until he comes back, which is usually about 2 minutes before the scheduled bus departure time. If you have bought your tickets already, and don’t need to buy one at the ticket desk, which is in the waiting room at the top of the steps leading down to the metro, you are fine to arrive, say, 10 or 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. That bus can get quite full, so best to book in advance anyway.
Jill

thanks Jill.