First Camino - Car Parking

Nikkie said:

Hi. Busy planning our first Camino for June/July 2023. We are arriving in Santander by Ferry and plan to walk the last 100km starting in Sarria. We are wondering whether it would be best to park our car in Santiago and get public transport back to our starting point or park in Sarria and get public transport back there after we have finished the walk. Has anyone done either before? Also, any recommendations for car parks at either destination?

Having read previous threads on this forum, we have decided to book our trip independent of a travel company so any advice, help, guidance greatly appreciated

Thanks!

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You may find this website useful: https://urbantaxi.es/parking/

Google Chrome will translate if needed

I'm ignoring the ease of finding a parking place or its cost here but if something comes up and you can't complete the camino and you have to leave in a hurry I think getting transport to Santiago and your car will easier and faster than getting transport to Sarria (or anywhere else).

Ferry on what route?
If available as a foot passenger I wouldn't bother with a car at all to be honest.
I would advise you to book a cabin for the crossing though. Worth every last penny.

Nikkie said:

Hi. Busy planning our first Camino for June/July 2023. We are arriving in Santander by Ferry and plan to walk the last 100km starting in Sarria. We are wondering whether it would be best to park our car in Santiago and get public transport back to our starting point or park in Sarria and get public transport back there after we have finished the walk. Has anyone done either before? Also, any recommendations for car parks at either destination?

Having read previous threads on this forum, we have decided to book our trip independent of a travel company so any advice, help, guidance greatly appreciated

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I have used Airport car parks in Spain to park my UK car while I do activities not requiring a car. In June I reserved a car parking place at Seville airport for 8 days and the cost was cheaper than a single nights parking in Central Seville.

Not sure if this available in SdC airport, but if it does you then have cheap bus transport from the rail/bus stations to/from the airport.

Ask your pensions/albergues in Sarria if they have a secure parking for 7 days. Most places that say they have “free parking” is usually on street parking in front of the albergue, so the car is only expected there for one night. Last summer when I asked, the going rate in Sarria seems to be around €5-10/day for garage.

Prices in Santiago will be higher. I would prefer to keep my car in a car park - Xoan XXIII is just behind the Cathedral/pilgrims office/San Francis church, rate per 24h was around €15 I think (do check online) and they give free EV charging (slow charger) - my car is electric.

If you are happy to leave your car in a free spot somewhere for a week, my hospitalera in Sarria recommended the Eroski near the bus station (so it’s convenient when you come back by bus from a Santiago). It’s free, open 24h/doesn’t have a barrier, no sign to say the parking limit, and there are local Spanish cars that are parked there for days… (I saw the same cars parked on Sunday when the supermarket was closed until Monday and maybe longer).

Santiago city centre/old town has so many parking restrictions so be careful where you park. But on google map, these 2 streets not far from the bus station are marked as free parking…

Parking Gratuito Ramón Cabanillas

Parking Gratuito Pontepedriña (acceso)

Hi Nikkie,
Unless you need your car for a holiday before or after your camino, I would leave it at home:
Your ferry crossing will be cheaper (so leaving you spare for a deluxe cabin, turning your ferry journey into a mini-cruise!);
If you want to explore Santander or Bilbao (both recommended) at the beginning or end of your trip, it is much easier to find a central appartment/hotel room without parking provision;
Spanish public transport is affordable and pleasant to use;
The train journey from Santiago to either port passes slowly through astonishingly beautiful scenery and is much less stressful than driving, and;
You won't be distracted from your walking by worries about whether your car is safe.

If you plan to explore more of Spain/Portugal by car after your camino, then you may be able to negotiate with a hotel in or near Sarria for eight or nine nights of parking, if you stay there a night before and a night after your camino.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your camino!