Camino Portugues -- Coastal Route

[Julie Richards-Stanley]

I am planning to do the coastal route from Porto end of April so I have loads of questions! What are the best books covering the route? How do you g et from Lisbon Airport to Porto? I'm having trouble finding reasonably priced flights from Wales to Lisbon or Porto and then flights back to Wales from Santiago any suggestions?What sort of weather can I expect end of April beginning of May?

 

[gracethepilgrim]

Hi Julie,
You must be excited with the planning stage. I travelled from Lisbon to Porto by train - very easy and lovely trip. You may want to spend a few days in Lisbon (and a day-trip to Sintra while you’re there. Porto is also gorgeous and worthy of an extra day or 3!!
As for books, I used the csj (UK) guide although it wasn’t really necessary. The route is very well marked. I’m sure others may have recommendations for you.
The coastal route is lovely although I have not done the entire section from Porto. I actually did a combination, walking all the way to the Spanish border (Valenca) via the central route and then I took a bus (backwards a little) to join the coastal route at Caminha (ferry crossing to A Guarda in Spain). It was a good combination of both the Central and the Coastal and under 2 weeks I believe (sorry, I can’t remember how long I took).
Cheers

 

[miguel_gp]

Bus schedules can be obtained from here between Lisbon (City) and Porto. You may need to get into Lisbon from the airport as not clear if the bus route calls in at the airport.

You can get the train from Lisbon Oriente to Porto (many trains per day). The rail station can be reached from the airport by short bus, metro or taxi ride.

Train schedules can be obtained from the Portugues National Rail site

Lastly, a search in Google Maps will bring up several options for travel between the two cities.
Google maps search

 

[miguel_gp]

With regards flights, I don't think you will be able to get anything direct to Wales (Cardiff Airport?) from Galicia.

Some options to London are :
EasyJet (Santiago - Gatwick)
RyanAir (Santiago - Stansted)
Vueling (A Coruna - Heathrow)

If you are in North Wales then there are direct flights from Madrid to Liverpool with Easyjet, buses and trains connect Santiago to Madrid.

There are also flights from Vigo to Dublin with Ryanair a couple of days per week during the summer, if you don't mind then taking the ferry across the Irish Sea.

skyscanner.net is a good site to look at routes available.

 

[JohnMcM]

I am planning to do the coastal route from Porto end of April so I have loads of questions! What are the best books covering the route? How do you g et from Lisbon Airport to Porto? I'm having trouble finding reasonably priced flights from Wales to Lisbon or Porto and then flights back to Wales from Santiago any suggestions?What sort of weather can I expect end of April beginning of May?

Hi Julie,
Depending on where you are in Wales, you might want to consider Bristol to Lisbon with Easyjet. Flights are currently 0700-0930, approx £70 with one checked hold bag of up to 15kg.

Buen Camino

 

[Olive Mhic Dhonncha]

Hi Julie,
My husband and I are flying from Dublin to Lisbon and from Lisbon to Porto in July with Ryanair where we hope to make our way to the coast . Our flights from Lisbon to Porto cost €36 in total !
Buen camino

 

[Julie Richards-Stanley]

Hi Julie,
You must be excited with the planning stage. I travelled from Lisbon to Porto by train - very easy and lovely trip. You may want to spend a few days in Lisbon (and a day-trip to Sintra while you’re there. Porto is also gorgeous and worthy of an extra day or 3!!
As for books, I used the csj (UK) guide although it wasn’t really necessary. The route is very well marked. I’m sure others may have recommendations for you.
The coastal route is lovely although I have not done the entire section from Porto. I actually did a combination, walking all the way to the Spanish border (Valenca) via the central route and then I took a bus (backwards a little) to join the coastal route at Caminha (ferry crossing to A Guarda in Spain). It was a good combination of both the Central and the Coastal and under 2 weeks I believe (sorry, I can’t remember how long I took).
Cheers

You re so right! I am getting quite addicted to planning my trip some posts suggest doing coastal and then joining central - hadn't even thought of that. I wish I had longer than 2weeks but intend to make the most of such precious 'me' time.

 

[Julie Richards-Stanley]

Hi Julie,
Depending on where you are in Wales, you might want to consider Bristol to Lisbon with Easyjet. Flights are currently 0700-0930, approx £70 with one checked hold bag of up to 15kg.

Buen Camino

Bristol Airport is the next closest to Cardiff Airport and yes that is a reasonable price. Thankyou. Julie

 

[Julie Richards-Stanley]

Hi Julie,
My husband and I are flying from Dublin to Lisbon and from Lisbon to Porto in July with Ryanair where we hope to make our way to the coast . Our flights from Lisbon to Porto cost €36 in total !
Buen camino

Wow that is a great price! I found a flight from Cardiff with 2 changes, Dublin and Madrid so wasn't very helpful.
Buen Camino

 

[Julie Richards-Stanley]

With regards flights, I don't think you will be able to get anything direct to Wales (Cardiff Airport?) from Galicia.

Some options to London are :
EasyJet (Santiago - Gatwick)
RyanAir (Santiago - Stansted)
Vueling (A Coruna - Heathrow)

If you are in North Wales then there are direct flights from Madrid to Liverpool with Easyjet, buses and trains connect Santiago to Madrid.

There are also flights from Vigo to Dublin with Ryanair a couple of days per week during the summer, if you don't mind then taking the ferry across the Irish Sea.

skyscanner.net is a good site to look at routes available.

You are quite right Cardiff Airport doesn't have any direct flights it seems getting home from Santiago is going to be a long day!

 

[JenPow]

I am planning to do the coastal route from Porto end of April so I have loads of questions! What are the best books covering the route? How do you g et from Lisbon Airport to Porto? I'm having trouble finding reasonably priced flights from Wales to Lisbon or Porto and then flights back to Wales from Santiago any suggestions?What sort of weather can I expect end of April beginning of May?

We would be very interested to know about your plans. There seem to be very little on the route catching the ferry from Caminha. Incidentally that ferry doesn't operate on Mondays. We are walking from Baiona to Santiago in late May. Our sundry medical issues mean we are doing it slowly (10kms per day)

 

[Julie Richards-Stanley]

We would be very interested to know about your plans. There seem to be very little on the route catching the ferry from Caminha. Incidentally that ferry doesn't operate on Mondays. We are walking from Baiona to Santiago in late May. Our sundry medical issues mean we are doing it slowly (10kms per day)

If you have the time take your time there is no need to rush! Enjoy your 'relaxing' walk you will see much more. I will let you know how my plans are going I'm in the very early stages at the moment,
Buen Camino

 

[Bradypus]

I am flying directly from Bristol to Porto next week. £38 with Easyjet. Only 30 minutes by metro into the city centre from there. If you are travelling from south Wales it is probably your simplest option and possibly the cheapest.

 

[Introibo]

Hi Julie
We flew into Lisbon from Manchester as the flight time was very convenient. Then we took the
train up to Porto. From the airport in Lisbon to the train station took us longer than we'd expected.
Give yourself a few hours, unless you like running down station platforms !

Port was great. We had a very cheap hotel right in the centre of town. Having an extra night and day
before we started walking gave us time to unwind.

Bom Caminho

 

[Camembert]

We would be very interested to know about your plans. There seem to be very little on the route catching the ferry from Caminha. Incidentally that ferry doesn't operate on Mondays. We are walking from Baiona to Santiago in late May. Our sundry medical issues mean we are doing it slowly (10kms per day)

There is no issue with the ferry. Although it does not sail on monday there is a great chance that it does not sail on other days either, it depends on the tide.
But no worry. Ask around for Mario o Pescador, Mario the fisherman. He can put you to the other side of the Minho river in his small boat. You "embark "at the sandy beach . We kept dry feet . It costs 5€ per person and you will cross the river within 5 or 6 minutes.
You can find Mario entering Caminha. There is a harbour and a restaurant. Ask for him and you get in contact.

Alternative is a day detour walking to Vila Nova de Cerveira where is a bridge. From there walk back to A Guarda at the other side of the river. A detour of about 25 kms.

 

[peregrina2000]

I am flying directly from Bristol to Porto next week. £38 with Easyjet. Only 30 minutes by metro into the city centre from there. If you are travelling from south Wales it is probably your simplest option and possibly the cheapest.

Let's hope the rains subside by then or you will wish you were your avatar! Bom Caminho, Laurie

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi Julie
We flew into Lisbon from Manchester as the flight time was very convenient. Then we took the
train up to Porto. From the airport in Lisbon to the train station took us longer than we'd expected.
Give yourself a few hours, unless you like running down station platforms !

Bom Caminho

Hi, Introibo, Just wondering if perhaps you went from the airport to the in-town Santa Apolonia train station. Because the Oriente train station is very close, surely no more than a 10 minute cab ride. At least when there's no huge amount of traffic. All trains stop at both places, btw.

 

[Bradypus]

Let's hope the rains subside by then or you will wish you were your avatar! Bom Caminho, Laurie

That was me taking a dip in the Ganges near Varanasi - a very long time ago. Probably not so warm in Portugal this time of year

 

[Julie Richards-Stanley]

I am flying directly from Bristol to Porto next week. £38 with Easyjet. Only 30 minutes by metro into the city centre from there. If you are travelling from south Wales it is probably your simplest option and possibly the cheapest.

What days are available Bristol to Porto? What day/time are you flying? How are you getting back? Have a great trip.
Buen Camino

 

[Julie Richards-Stanley]

There is no issue with the ferry. Although it does not sail on monday there is a great chance that it does not sail on other days either, it depends on the tide.
But no worry. Ask around for Mario o Pescador, Mario the fisherman. He can put you to the other side of the Minho river in his small boat. You "embark "at the sandy beach . We kept dry feet . It costs 5€ per person and you will cross the river within 5 or 6 minutes.
You can find Mario entering Caminha. There is a harbour and a restaurant. Ask for him and you get in contact.

Alternative is a day detour walking to Vila Nova de Cerveira where is a bridge. From there walk back to A Guarda at the other side of the river. A detour of about 25 kms.

Hi Albertinho

Travelling with Mario o Pescador sounds like fun

 

[Bradypus]

At the moment flights are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Looks like the Thursday one is being stopped soon though. I'm flying next Thursday on a 10:10 flight. Returning on a Vueling flight from A Coruna to Heathrow, then National Express bus back to Swansea. That one leaves at 15:40 and getting to A Coruna is pretty quick and cheap from Santiago.

PS. Just had a look on the Easyjet website. Still 3 flights per week Bristol to Porto in April. The time of the flights seems to vary a lot though.

 

[Camembert]

Hi Albertinho

Travelling with Mario o Pescador sounds like fun

That depends on the weather when the ocean is rough
But it is a nice crossing. I am glad we did it.
Look at my vid. You can see Mario and his boat

Bom caminho

 

[Introibo]

Ah ......We may well have gone to the Santa Apolonia station !

 

[JenPow]

That depends on the weather when the ocean is rough
But it is a nice crossing. I am glad we did it.
Look at my vid. You can see Mario and his boat

Bom caminho

In that case we'd better see what the weather is like on the day and, if it looks iffy, then we can continue on train to Valenca and then bus to A Guarda. I don't suppose you have a mobile number for Mario?

 

[Camembert]

In that case we'd better see what the weather is like on the day and, if it looks iffy, then we can continue on train to Valenca and then bus to A Guarda. I don't suppose you have a mobile number for Mario?

+ 351 9634166259