Bus from Santiago to Porto

[LesBrass]

Hi pilgrims! We're planning to walk from Porto to Santiago at the end of September. This is my third time on this route but my husband's first (he's tried twice but fate intervened... so third time lucky for us both!)

However... we're struggling to find a bus back to Porto in mid October.

Flix , Alsa and Rede all have many buses on the 30 September and none on 1 October... does anyone know if this is just a winter schedule thing and are they all awaiting winter timetables?

many thanks

 

[CalgaryLynn]

Hi pilgrims! We're planning to walk from Porto to Santiago at the end of September. This is my third time on this route but my husband's first (he's tried twice but fate intervened... so third time lucky for us both!)

However... we're struggling to find a bus back to Porto in mid October.

Flix , Alsa and Rede all have many buses on the 30 September and none on 1 October... does anyone know if this is just a winter schedule thing and are they all awaiting winter timetables?

many thanks

Excellent question. I am finding the same problem myself, heading back to Porto on the 8th of October. If I have to, I will rent a car to get myself back.

 

[trecile]

You can also take the train, though overall it takes more time because you need to change trains in Vigo.

https://www.raileurope.com/en/journey/santiago-de-compostela-porto-campanha-v75s5g

 

[LesBrass]

Thanks Trecile... We'll do that if the buses don't run, I really like train journeys. We also thought we could perhaps get to Tui and just walk back over the bridge and get a bus in Valenca ... but we're lazy when we're not walking the camino so we like the idea of the non-stop bus

 

[LesBrass]

Excellent question. I am finding the same problem myself, heading back to Porto on the 8th of October. If I have to, I will rent a car to get myself back.

If you find a one-way rental do let us know the cost... we'd be happy to do that. Shame we're not travelling at the same time. I have a friend returning on the 1 October and we're going back on the 14th October.

 

[Phoenix]

Thanks Trecile... We'll do that if the buses don't run, I really like train journeys. We also thought we could perhaps get to Tui and just walk back over the bridge and get a bus in Valenca ... but we're lazy when we're not walking the camino so we like the idea of the non-stop bus

Hope you get things worked out.

Even if a bus was available, I'll take the train if I do it again. For whatever reason, the bus ride from SdC to Porto felt like the longest of my life. Then add on the segment from Porto to Lisbon and it felt like the longest of two lifetimes (it seemed like we stopped at a station every 10 minutes).

 

[LesBrass]

Hope you get things worked out.

Even if a bus was available, I'll take the train if I do it again. For whatever reason, the bus ride from SdC to Porto felt like the longest of my life. Then add on the segment from Porto to Lisbon and it felt like the longest of two lifetimes (it seemed like we stopped at a station every 10 minutes).

A few years back we walked from the coast to Oviedo and on the Santiago... we parked up and planned to take the bus back when we we're done... that journey felt the same... so maybe we'll look at the train

 

[BigT]

Recommend that you verify that you can rent a car in Spain and drop it in Portugal.
We tried to rent in Santiago and drop in Paris and were told that we had to deliver it in the same country where we had rented the vehicle.

 

[Mary-Rose O’Regan]

Thanks Trecile... We'll do that if the buses don't run, I really like train journeys. We also thought we could perhaps get to Tui and just walk back over the bridge and get a bus in Valenca ... but we're lazy when we're not walking the camino so we like the idea of the non-stop bus

You’ll definitely be able to get a train…. Change at Vigo…. Just a bit of a wait at Vigo…. All will be ok

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

New fast train Vigo to Porto...

Renfe - Mi Más Renfe

PAGINAS OFICIALES DE RENFE, HORARIOS, RESERVA, VENTA, BILLETES, ALQUILER

venta.renfe.com

 

[LesBrass]

thank you all for the replies! Looks like we'll take the train

 

[auburnfive]

The train is a good option.
another thought… have you looked at BlaBla car?

 

[peregrina2000]

I can’t imagine that there will be no buses in all of October for this route (I checked another few dates and got the same result), when there are 3 a day in September. And remember when you look at schedules that there is an hour time difrference between the two countries.

Good luck, I’m sure you’ll have no trouble getting there. BlaBla car, as suggested above, is a good option. But that is also something that you are likely to only be able to do a few days before the date.

 

[Tiapatrol]

Hi pilgrims! We're planning to walk from Porto to Santiago at the end of September. This is my third time on this route but my husband's first (he's tried twice but fate intervened... so third time lucky for us both!)

However... we're struggling to find a bus back to Porto in mid October.

Flix , Alsa and Rede all have many buses on the 30 September and none on 1 October... does anyone know if this is just a winter schedule thing and are they all awaiting winter timetables?

many thanks

Check on the trains too.

 

[trecile]

I can’t imagine that there will be no buses in all of October for this route (I checked another few dates and got the same result), when there are 3 a day in September.

I agree. In fact between Alsa and Flixbus there are 7 a day!

 

[peregrina2000]

However... we're struggling to find a bus back to Porto in mid October.

October Alsa schedules are posted online. You will be fine. Though I much prefer trains to buses, in this case I’d go for the direct bus. Stops in Vigo, Valença, and Braga and no need to transfer. The bus ride is under 4 hours.

As of right now there is just one train a day from Vigo to Porto. At around 9 am and it takes almost two and a half hours. Getting to Vigo, it looks like a 7:30 am train would get you there in time to transfer. The Renfe schedule for October might also be incomplete at this point, so you should keep checking if you think the train is better.

 

[LesBrass]

October Alsa schedules are posted online. You will be fine. Though I much prefer trains to buses, in this case I’d go for the direct bus. Stops in Vigo, Valença, and Braga and no need to transfer. The bus ride is under 4 hours.

As of right now there is just one train a day from Vigo to Porto. At around 9 am and it takes almost two and a half hours. Getting to Vigo, it looks like a 7:30 am train would get you there in time to transfer. The Renfe schedule for October might also be incomplete at this point, so you should keep checking if you think the train is better.

Oh thank you! I haven't checked as I'm currently in an alburgue in Zubiri ...after a hot walk in from Roncesvalles

 

[Murdoch]

If you take the bus from Santiago to Porto, do you recommend booking in advance or getting a ticket while you are in Santiago. We're looking at early May for the journey.

 

[trecile]

If you take the bus from Santiago to Porto, do you recommend booking in advance or getting a ticket while you are in Santiago. We're looking at early May for the journey.

I've taken the bus from Santiago to Porto twice. Once with Alsa and once with Flixbus. Both times I bought tickets a day or two ahead.