Madrid vs Porto?

TheLazyPilgrim · May 9, 2018

Good morning from Brisbane!

I just had a question about travelling from Santiago back to Paris. I have booked a return flight from Paris to Brisbane as this was the cheapest option for me, and of course I am starting in SJPdP. Once I finish the Camino, I plan on getting back to Paris, but I haven't yet booked my return route, and I certainly won't be walking there. My question is: what is the easiest way to return to Paris?

I had thought to catch a bus or train to either Porto or Madrid, spend a couple of nights there and then catch a cheap flight back to Paris. Thoughts on this? I have no real knowledge of either city, but I would love to visit one of them if possible.

Thanks in advance!

Scott

terryenroute · May 9, 2018

Hello Scott;

When I did this same thing, I stayed in this albergue in Santiago.

https://www.gronze.com/galicia/coruna/santiago-compostela/residencia-peregrinos-san-lazaro

It was great in that there is a bus stop right on the corner. When returning home, I simply went to the corner, caught the bus clearly marked airport, and was at the Santiago airport in 5 minutes. From there, I used this goeuro site to book a flight to Paris a few days ahead.

https://www.goeuro.com/travel-searc...-be84dd0cab5b&user_locale=en&v=wa_dw_bwg:ctrl

I just had a look try and got this price. (see attached)
Easy peasy!

I see that you are in Brisbane OZ.
Mistermac a multicamino pilgrim who is on this site is in Brisbane as well, and I am sure that he would be glad to offer any advice.

Have Fun!

Anamiri · May 9, 2018

Last year we flew to Paris directly from Santiago. Easy.
An airport full of pilgrims and their stories, so it extended the length of our Camino a bit as well. .

TheLazyPilgrim · May 9, 2018

terryvinet said:
Hello Scott;

When I did this same thing, I stayed in this albergue in Santiago.

https://www.gronze.com/galicia/coruna/santiago-compostela/residencia-peregrinos-san-lazaro

It was great in that there is a bus stop right on the corner. When returning home, I simply went to the corner, caught the bus clearly marked airport, and was at the Santiago airport in 5 minutes. From there, I used this goeuro site to book a flight to Paris a few days ahead.

Hi Terry,

Thanks for the recommendation for the albergue - I'll definitely take a look. I am interested in visiting either Porto or Madrid on my way home though, as while my main reason for going to Europe is the Camino, it is also my first trip to Europe, so I am interested in taking in at least one more major city before I have to depart. If you have visited either Porto or Madrid, I'd be interested in hearing your opinion on those cities .

Thanks, Scott!

Anamiri · May 9, 2018

I haven't been to Porto, but loved Madrid.

Dorpie · May 9, 2018

Hi Scott,

Sorry, can't give specific advice on flights though I suspect both would work out well. I have however visited both cities after Caminos though and they were both great. Porto was definitely less hassle, cheaper and quicker to get to and for me was a marginal favourite. While for a capital city Madrid is relaxed and stylish and many other wonderful things I found Porto utterly charming with lots to do and see in a reltively small area, a definite plus after lots of walking.

But I really don't think you'd be disappointed with either of them.

Buen Camino,

Rob.

natefaith · May 9, 2018

I love Porto and can recommend it highly. There is a lot to do, but it's accessible, cheaper than a major city, and has water in the form of the River Douro and the ocean. It would be a great stop especially since it's easy to get to from Santiago. Madrid will always be there . I'd go to Porto if I were you!

Enjoy all the planning and Buen Camino!
Faith

Rob the Slob · May 9, 2018

Both cities are wonderful, although Porto is perhaps slightly more picturesque. However, tourist numbers in Porto are rising explosively, from what I've heard, so you might want to make it a priority now before it turns into another Dubrovnik or Venice.

Deleted member 3000 · May 9, 2018

I have flown TAP several times, which has made Porto a possible destination/connection city. I have never found cheap flights from there, so I think you will do better with Madrid. They have cheap flights all the time at the odder hours of the day, though I got a midday flight to Toulouse for 45E one time.

dfox · May 9, 2018

TheLazyPilgrim said:
Hi Terry,
Thanks for the recommendation for the albergue -

Last April, I stayed in a single-person in San Martín Pinario, Santiago de Compostela, for 23 euro including breakfast. The lunch was 10 euro including a bottle of wine and a bottle of water, even though I was the only person at the table. It is two minutes walk to the Cathedral. Highly recommended. (There are more "expensive" rooms in this "hotel" too.)

Madrid or Porto, both of them are good. Each of them has its uniqueness.

TheLazyPilgrim · May 10, 2018

Dorpie said:
Hi Scott,

Sorry, can't give specific advice on flights though I suspect both would work out well. I have however visited both cities after Caminos though and they were both great. Porto was definitely less hassle, cheaper and quicker to get to and for me was a marginal favourite. While for a capital city Madrid is relaxed and stylish and many other wonderful things I found Porto utterly charming with lots to do and see in a reltively small area, a definite plus after lots of walking.

But I really don't think you'd be disappointed with either of them.

Buen Camino,

Rob.

Thanks Rob,

Coupled with some more advice I've received above, I think with the money I save in Porto compared to Madrid I can afford to spend a bit extra flying from Porto back to Paris. Thanks for taking the time to reply!

Scott

TheLazyPilgrim · May 10, 2018

natefaith said:
I love Porto and can recommend it highly. There is a lot to do, but it's accessible, cheaper than a major city, and has water in the form of the River Douro and the ocean. It would be a great stop especially since it's easy to get to from Santiago. Madrid will always be there . I'd go to Porto if I were you!

Enjoy all the planning and Buen Camino!
Faith

Thanks Faith!

I think I'm sold on Porto .

Scott

TheLazyPilgrim · May 10, 2018

falcon269 said:
I have flown TAP several times, which has made Porto a possible destination/connection city. I have never found cheap flights from there, so I think you will do better with Madrid. They have cheap flights all the time at the odder hours of the day, though I got a midday flight to Toulouse for 45E one time.

Thanks for the advice!

Scott

RJM · May 10, 2018

I believe Vueling airlines has a direct flight from Santiago to Paris CDG.

Kiwi-family · May 10, 2018

Porto? Madrid? Neither is a bad option. I'd wait and see where I could get a cheap flight from and take it from there!

Thurland · May 12, 2018

Anamiri said:
I haven't been to Porto, but loved Madrid.

I haven't been to Madrid - but I loved Porto!!

KariC · May 13, 2018

terryvinet said:
Hello Scott;

When I did this same thing, I stayed in this albergue in Santiago.

https://www.gronze.com/galicia/coruna/santiago-compostela/residencia-peregrinos-san-lazaro

It was great in that there is a bus stop right on the corner. When returning home, I simply went to the corner, caught the bus clearly marked airport, and was at the Santiago airport in 5 minutes. From there, I used this goeuro site to book a flight to Paris a few days ahead.

https://www.goeuro.com/travel-search2/results/804953191/flight?abTestParameters=&adults=1&arrival_fk=379727&children=0&departure_date=02/10/2018&departure_fk=378431&infants=0&srpQueryParams=v=wa_dw_bwg:ctrl&travel_mode=train&user_currency=USD&user_domain=com&user_id=522e3c18-1178-4a2c-9948-be84dd0cab5b&user_locale=en&v=wa_dw_bwg:ctrl

I just had a look try and got this price. (see attached)
Easy peasy!

I see that you are in Brisbane OZ.
Mistermac a multicamino pilgrim who is on this site is in Brisbane as well, and I am sure that he would be glad to offer any advice.

Have Fun!

I too returned home from Paris, and flew from Santiago to Paris direct.

SideWinder · Tuesday at 6:32 PM

I begin my first Camino in mid-May from SJPdP. Due to time constraints related to available PTO, I unfortunately have to skip a few towns along the way if I am to start in SJPdP and end in...

Bedspring · Monday at 9:54 AM

I have just popped my Targeta Dorada (Golden Ticket) in my packing box. They cost €12 and cannot be bought online, but can be renewed online. If journeying too or from the Camino on Spanish trains...

chris68 · Friday at 3:30 AM

I am flying to Santiago via Dublin and have about a 10 hour layover. I arrive 0830 and my flight on Ryanair is not till 1930. Any suggestions on how I can spend my time? Is it practical to go...

cathyg · Monday at 4:35 PM

Hi there i'm a first time Camino walker - planning for Sept this year. I have a question if anyone can help. We are going with friends but we can't fly out at the same time so we are going to fly...

JabbaPapa · Wednesday at 4:09 AM

Warning for those flying in to France -- there's a strike tomorrow April 25th, which likely will NOT prevent flying in or out of the country on international flights, but is very likely to affect...

JIMMCC13 · Tuesday at 7:04 PM

A friend due to walk from Sarria to SdC next month is now injured still wants to go along with group walking. Any advice on transport options for him to go from Stage to Stage. All options...

Madrid vs Porto?

New Member

Member

Attachments

Veteran Member

New Member

Veteran Member

RIP 2019

Veteran Member

A slob

Deleted member 3000

Guest

Active Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

Veteran Member

{Rachael, the Mama of the family}

Member

Active Member

Most read last week in this forum

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency