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It is doable, but it seems also a really, really tough schedule right after an intercontinental flight
Ponferrada, besides, it is not only a good starting point ...
I find taking the bus is a great way to get over jet lag: you open and close your eyesrepeatedly getting lots of short naps, enough to rest, not enough so that you won't sleep at night. Perfect to start walking the next day.
As to Ponferrada not being a good place to start, I am stunned. Why not? For one thing, it's the start of the Invierno, so it must not be such a bad place to start.
No need to add anxiety for people walking for the same time with comments like this one.
For one thing, you will get to see a most incredible templar fortress from the middle ages.
I think it is just a language glitch.Exactly. Thanks, @Smallest_Sparrow
And anyway, we are all entitled to our own opinions, right? This is what a forum is about, I think. A diversity of point of views. Although I can't imagine somebody not liking Ponferrada...An interesting city, really.
I agree. Plan to spend the first day un-winding and touring Ponferrada. Lots to do and see there. We spent an extra day there and loved it. Buen Camino to your group. EdAlsa buses https://www.alsa.es/ have services from Barajas airport (look for Madrid Barajas T4) to Ponferrada. It is slower than train, but you avoid the hassle of connections.
Anyway you choose, it is around a 5 hrs travel (or more), and you will arrive late afternoon, or by night. It is doable, but it seems also a really, really tough schedule right after an intercontinental flight
Ponferrada, besides, it is not only a good starting point, but it is also a very interesting place. I'd respectfully suggest an extra day to "decompress", travel calmly, enjoying the places, and start your walk in a more relaxed way.
Thank you all for your replies. Now that I am only three weeks away from leaving for Spain, I have decided to take the bus from Barajas. Whether or not I start walking the following day is still not decided. I will see how I feel once I get there.I echo the opinion that the bus may be less of a problem...and the buses I took were very modern, clean, and comfortable...some even had seats that reclined a lot for sleeping. I wouldn't start the next day for a couple of reasons. First, as others said, relax, decompress, adjust to the time difference, and especially see Ponferrada. Besides the Templar castle and the cathedral, please so see Santo Tomas de los Ollas, just 2 km from the cathedral. You will be glad you did. This is also just in case you lose luggage or something else enroute, it will have time to catch up to you in Ponferrada. Book a hotel and let them know you will be arriving late, and stay the extra day (two nights in the hotel). Then start. That extra day I think will do a lot to making the rest of the trip enjoyable.
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