Getting from Santiago to Bilbao

[pennyinyk]

Hoping someone might have advice as I'm getting nowhere online....I have to go to England after my camino, and have a flight booked to Bristol from Bilbao May 11 late afternoon. I can't seem to find an easy way to get from Santiago to Bilbao that doesn't involve leaving Santiago on the 10th, or paying a fortune for a flight there. Any advice? Much appreciated.

 

[whariwharangi]

Renfe train from Santiago to Bilbao. Its an all day evolution.

You could try going train via Madrid but there won't be much if any time savings.

Else fly from Santiago to Madrid and Madrid to Bilbao.

There are flights from Santiago to London.

 

[natefaith]

Hola pennyink, whariwharangi gives great advice as always, plus Turkish Airlines now flies direct from Santiago to Bilbao. But perhaps that was one of the expensive flights you found?

 

[natefaith]

Looks like Turkish Airlines stopped flying out of Santiago as of June 2016. Bummer! The other flights to Bilbao need to go through Madrid or Barcelona, hardly worth it if there's already a train from Santiago to Bilbao.

Hope you find something that works for you. Buen Camino!

 

[Jan_D]

Hate to state the obvious but Santiago-Bilbao is the same distance as the Camino, i.e. around 800km. There's no way you'll make that distance leaving on the day of the 11th for an afternoon flight on the 11th - that is, unless you fly.

Why are you so against leaving on the 10th? Why not break your journey up into two legs, maybe spend the night somewhere along the north coast? Maybe even in an albergue on the del Norte, if you're pressed for cash?

 

[FLEUR]

Santiago to Santander by train took us all day . 08.30 departure we changed trains in Palencia at lunchtime and arrived Santander around 18.30.

You could night stop there as others have suggested. It's a really nice place, rail station and bus stations are right in the town as is the ferry port.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

ALSA have a night bus leaving 6.00pm on the 10th arriving Bilbao on the 11th at 5.15am, you can buy tickets online.
Duncan

 

[MinaKamina]

ALSA have a night bus leaving 6.00pm on the 10th arriving Bilbao on the 11th at 5.15am, you can buy tickets online.
Duncan

Hi Duncan, that bus has 22 stops! Nightmares come in all sorts and sizes and this would certainly be one of mine

There is a direct flight from Vigo to Bilbao in the morning, but then Penny would have to travel there the day before. Price around €100 if I am not mistaken. Cheapest option is the day bus, the day before. I think I'd prefer the train.

 

[FLEUR]

If you are a senior buy a senior rail card and benefit from 40% discount on Mon to Thu train travel.