Return from Finisterre to Madrid

nettersweet said:

Hello, I have now timed out my trip and am hoping to reach Santiago de Compostella and then keep walking until Finisterre. How much time should I allocate getting back to Madrid to catch my flight back to the US? And any advice/thoughts on the best /fastest way to get back to Madrid from Finisterre (so that I can maximize my time on the Camino)? Thanks!

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nettersweet,

When you arrive in Santiago stop at to the Galicia Tourist office. Their staff is friendly and most helpful. Located at Rúa do Vilar, 30-32 they have a useful free multi language listing of all the current facilities in every village found along the camino to Finisterre and Muxia. This also provides bus schedules.

From Finisterre you would need to return to Santiago by bus. One Finisterre bus stop is next to the municipal albergue. You purchase your ticket from the driver as you board. Monbus should be the bus line for the Finisterre to Sanitago de Compostela routes. For on line timetables see their website >> http://horarios.monbus.es/.

From Santiago the fastest way to return to Madrid would be by plane. Ryanair goes from Santiago to Madrid. Check your possible dates for prices, times and availability at their website. >> http://www.ryanair.com/en/flights-to-sa ... ompostela/

Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

There is an overnight sleeper train from Santiago to Madrid. You can have a nice dinner in Santiago, and then go down to catch the train. It arrives in Madrid early in the morning. It's a good idea to buy your ticket when you first arrive in Santiago so if your preferred date is sold out (I don't know if the train sells out often or not), you can go to plan B.
The walk to Finisterre is really memorable. I wish I'd had four days instead of three to do it. There is a lot of solitude on that trail.
Buen Camino,
Sarah

I booked a hotel in Madrid for the Sunday before I head back home (I go back on a Tuesday). Do you think the sleeper train on a Saturday is the best bet? And take the bus from Finisterre to Santiago earlier in the day on Saturday? I'm trying to figure out just how many rest days I have to make it back in time...

I went from Fisterra to Santiago train station by bus. It left ~0930 and arrived at the train station around 1230. I then caught a train (1530?) from Santiago to Madrid arriving there about 2100. SO its an all day evolution and you have to catch the first bus from Fisterra.

The Trenhotel seems to be a popular option. It gets to Madrid at 0800. It all depends on how well you sleep on moving vehicles. My choice would be to give it a miss and sleep in a bed.

We've had people try the trenhotel and then catch an AM flight ... make sure you allow at least 3 hours to get from the train station and for check in and security at the airport.