Ending in Santiago DC - want to travel to Fatima (bus/train/

[TricieSue]

I am considering visiting Lourdes before starting Camino Frances
any tips for transport to St. Jean?

Also:
Ending in Santiago DC - want to travel to Fatima (bus/train/air) - not walk - no extra time
this is just an add on
any suggestions?

 

[NaKwendaSafari]

Hi TricieSue.

Ending in Santiago DC - want to travel to Fatima (bus/train/air

We took the ALSA bus from Lisboa to Santiago DC,the first stop was Fatima. You will find they have a very comprehensive website in English. Be aware the taxis at the bus station in Santiago DC will try to rip you off, you can however walk to most places from the bus station but the roads can be confusing so you would need a good street map.

visiting Lourdes before starting Camino Frances
any tips for transport to St. Jean

We flew to Tarbes from London Stanstead and took a shuttle bus to Lourdes on a separate occasion, it is worth spending a few days at Lourdes as a pilgrimage on its own, unfortunately I am not able to help you on the transport to St Jean from Lourdes, there are others in this helpful forum who can help.

 

[TricieSue]

Thank you for your kind information - a great start for me
Hugs

 

[markss]

I took a train from Santiago to OPorto, Portugal (passes through Vigo, Spain) then a bus from central Oporto to Fatima. The time schedules were somewhat limited but nevertheless it was easy to arrange without much preplanning. It was necesary to connect from the main Oporto rail station to the central area of the city for the bus to Fatima. That was accomplished with ease as there are many regualrly scheduled trians into the city center of Oporto.

Oporto itself is a very nice place to spend an extra day or two if you've got the time.

On another note there are companies selling day tour packages from Oporto to Fatima. These cost four times what you will spend going on the public bus and require that you restrict yourself to their schedule. Would not recommend this as it is a waste of money and restricts your fredom to spend whatever time you might want on your own in Fatima. A tour type arrangement is completely unnecessary.

 

[unadara]

Lourdes
I travelled last year after a pilgrimage on this route to meet my husband who was flying in from Dublin to Biarritz. You get a train from Lourdes direct to Bayonne, this is the station that the train leaves from to go to StJean. I was sorry after I didn't walk from Lourdes across the Col de Somport, it is a great option, also avoids the crowded first few days on the Camino Frances. Not that i would have missed them either as I enjoyed every moment of it.
Buen Camino

 

[miguel_gp]

Daily ALSA bus with an additional overnight bus on Sundays....



Stopping at......

 

[TricieSue]

Fabulous and very kind, useful info

Gracias!!!