Getting to Ponferrada from Santander

[windmill walker]

We (husband and self) are looking forward to walking part of the camino and hope to start in Ponferrada. We fly into Santander arriving lunchtime on Sun 7th April. Had thought of hiring a car one way to Ponferrada but can only find on one site at prohibitive rate. Would be grateful for suggestions.

 

[Tia Valeria]

The slow way is on the train. The FEVE leaves Santander at 16.10 to Oviedo arrives 20.40, and then bus to Ponferrada.
The ALSA bus leaves Santander for Oviedo - approx 3 hour journey. Bus from Oviedo to Ponferrada is another 3 hours.
If checking bus times on ALSA you need to check the 'query no date' to call up the timetables. For Sunday buses you need to make sure that there is a 'D' in the listing (LMXJVSD)

 

[windmill walker]

Thank-you very much for all that information. I've looked at all the options and was a bit dispirited by the long journey time .... then went back to the car hire sites and by keeping the car until mon am (we will spend night in Ponferrada) it becomes much more affordable - about the same price per person as public transport. Apparently dropping off a car on a sunday evening in ponferrada is an expensive thing to do - so in the case of hiring a car on a sun - keeping until mon am is better - more is less.....