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Oddly enough I was looking at something similar over the weekend (Dover to Porto, 32 hrs by coach!)Hi.
I'd like some advice please on a couple of points.
I'm getting the train from the UK to SJPP in early May, and planning to return to the UK via ferry (Brittany Ferries) from Santander to Plymouth or Portsmouth. All being well, this will be in mid-June, but I don't want to fix a definite date.
Point 1. Do people have experience of booking ferries from Santander to the UK? I assume it makes sense to book a flexible ticket now, then change if needed nearer the time.
Point 2. How easy is it to travel from Santiago to Santander? Train and/or bus? Is there somewhere interesting to stop for a night on the way?
Thanks!
Tim
Ferrol to Santander by FEVE is a two day journey but don't let that put you off. It's a great ride and a night in Oviedo is a welcome break. Take a picnic, no catering on FEVEYou could go SdC to Ferrol by bus or train (I'd choose the train) and then catch the Feve to Santander
Assuming P&O Ferries are sailing to the UK by then!There are also ferries from Bilbao with P&O ferries, I believe, it could be Bilbao or Santurce/Santurtzi, in case it is more convenient for you to go to Bilbao instead!
I took the bus from Santiago to Santander a few years ago. At the time it left from the bus station, right next to the train station. Changed at Oviedo. it was a long(ish) journey but the buses were very comfortable. In retrospect, I should have spent the night in Oviedo.Hi.
I'd like some advice please on a couple of points.
I'm getting the train from the UK to SJPP in early May, and planning to return to the UK via ferry (Brittany Ferries) from Santander to Plymouth or Portsmouth. All being well, this will be in mid-June, but I don't want to fix a definite date.
Point 1. Do people have experience of booking ferries from Santander to the UK? I assume it makes sense to book a flexible ticket now, then change if needed nearer the time.
Point 2. How easy is it to travel from Santiago to Santander? Train and/or bus? Is there somewhere interesting to stop for a night on the way?
Thanks!
Tim
MinaKamina,
Great photo!
Were you able to visit the original cave or the newer nearby copy?
MinaKamina,I visited the real cave when I was a kid. At that time, it was still possible. You had to lay down on a flat rock and look UP.... I remember seeing nothing at all. That was very confusing. Then someone pointed out to me where to look, how to look and all of a sudden, these figures started to appear.
If you are lucky, apparently the original cave can still be visited. Every Friday, 5 visitors are allowed in. If you arrive at the museum between 9.30 and 10.30 hrs., you can take part in a lottery draw and 5 participants will win the opportunity for a short visit to the cave.
I wouldn't bother to book as a foot passenger. For a flexible fare you'll pay more, and you don't seem to need to travel on a particular day. There might even be cheaper last-minute deals.Hi.
I'd like some advice please on a couple of points.
I'm getting the train from the UK to SJPP in early May, and planning to return to the UK via ferry (Brittany Ferries) from Santander to Plymouth or Portsmouth. All being well, this will be in mid-June, but I don't want to fix a definite date.
Point 1. Do people have experience of booking ferries from Santander to the UK? I assume it makes sense to book a flexible ticket now, then change if needed nearer the time.
Point 2. How easy is it to travel from Santiago to Santander? Train and/or bus? Is there somewhere interesting to stop for a night on the way?
Thanks!
Tim
P&O dropped their Spanish routes some years ago and Brittany Ferries then started sailing from Bilbao to replace this service.Assuming P&O Ferries are sailing to the UK by then!
Foot passengers are not allowed from Bilbao due to port access. They are allowed from Santander. If you want to you could check out the return fare with hotel nights, was 3 and could be in different places. Brings fare down and also gives hotel nights included so very cost effective. Worked with fixed dates and might with flexi travel date.There are also ferries from Bilbao with P&O ferries, I believe, it could be Bilbao or Santurce/Santurtzi, in case it is more convenient for you to go to Bilbao instead!
We have visited the cave when permits were given, in 1984 and 1994. Also the new museum in 2013, pre booked tickets in Santander. The photo is great and we have a bought copy, from 1994, hanging in our kitchen.If you have the time, visit the caves of Altamira, at about 30 kms from Santander.
https://turismodecantabria.com/disfrutala/que-visitar/11-cueva-de-altamira
thanks for the info, I did not know the two routes had different conditions, interesting...Foot passengers are not allowed from Bilbao due to port access. They are allowed from Santander. If you want to you could check out the return fare with hotel nights, was 3 and could be in different places. Brings fare down and also gives hotel nights included so very cost effective. Worked with fixed dates and might with flexi travel date.
Hi Tim, About 8 years ago I took the bus from SDC to Santander in June. I booked the day before at a travel agents. I don't recall any changes on route. There were regular stops for refreshments. I was dropped off in Central Santander. Very convenient. The ferry port is right at the town center. As a foot passenger I don't think a flexible open ticket would be necessary. Nice boat, good food.Hi.
I'd like some advice please on a couple of points.
I'm getting the train from the UK to SJPP in early May, and planning to return to the UK via ferry (Brittany Ferries) from Santander to Plymouth or Portsmouth. All being well, this will be in mid-June, but I don't want to fix a definite date.
Point 1. Do people have experience of booking ferries from Santander to the UK? I assume it makes sense to book a flexible ticket now, then change if needed nearer the time.
Point 2. How easy is it to travel from Santiago to Santander? Train and/or bus? Is there somewhere interesting to stop for a night on the way?
Thanks!
Tim
MinaKamina,
I, too, visited it circa 1968 when I was 29. All was quite dark and very "spooky". Afterwards I had a very strong drink and a very good lunch at the nearby Parador to recuperate. It was an unforgetable day.
Hi Tim. Sorry I am a bit late to respond. The ferry is a good choice to return (and go) to the Camino. Not as environmentally friendly as walking but better than flying. Certainly more relaxing especially if you like to be at sea.Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply. You've given me some really useful information to digest. What a great resource and community this forum is.
I think the main thing I've gathered is that I have options. So I can collate the relevant info and make decisions/book as I (hopefully) approach Santiago. Exciting times!
Buen camino (assuming newbies are entitled to say that)
Thank you, Tincatinker.Ferrol to Santander by FEVE is a two day journey but don't let that put you off. It's a great ride and a night in Oviedo is a welcome break. Take a picnic, no catering on FEVE
You can simply turn up on the day and buy tickets at the larger stations. If there is no ticket office or ticket machine simply get on board and pay the conductor. I don't think it is possible to make advance reservations on the FEVE trains.A humble question addressed to anyone who knows, please and thank you: May one, or must one, simply show up at the originating station a day or two before the day of departure, an
You're welcome. I've never but turned up at the station on my day of travel and bought a ticket. As @Bradypus says some of the remoter station are un-staffed. You have to flag down the train if you want it to stop (really! Wave a white hanky!) and purchase a ticket from the Guard.Thank you, Tincatinker.
A humble question addressed to anyone who knows, please and thank you: May one, or must one, simply show up at the originating station a day or two before the day of departure, and buy the needed tickets in person?
Thanks @Tincatinker ! About 5 weeks to go then. Already thinking about my Wales bus pass. Though I'll probably wait till later in the year before returning to Spain. Looks a tad busy this summer!Hah! According to the RENFE/FEVE website it's over 60 & 50% discount. Don't tell RENFE
Thanks for this - have always fancied including the FEVE as part of my See Spain Without Walking Too Much itinerary. The stations remind me of Doleham in East Sussex. We asked somebody in the nearby cottages when the next train was due and the response was "I think there's some kind of calendar by the shelter . . . "You can simply turn up on the day and buy tickets at the larger stations. If there is no ticket office or ticket machine simply get on board and pay the conductor. I don't think it is possible to make advance reservations on the FEVE trains.
PS: This article gives a good idea of what travel by FEVE is like. A scaled-up version of a child's train set
Traveling on Renfe's FEVE (now "Cercanías AM") Narrow-gauge Rail through Galicia — Pickle Deli Square
How to traverse through Spain’s scenic green north slowly but surely and comfortably, aboard the cute FEVE trains.www.pickledelisquare.com
I took this photo out of the window of a FEVE train a few years ago. No excuses possible - I must have had a mental age of about 8 that day but it did amuse me at the time.The stations remind me of Doleham in East Sussex.
I also found that using my Alabama state driving license was not appreciated in the UK. Especially since I have a strong Yorkshire accent.Tried using my West Sussex bus pass in Seville a couple of weeks ago. That bus driver had no sense of humour.....
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