transport from Lisbon to Valenca and sleeping bags

[taylorshi]

I have only a short vacation and am planning to walk from Valenca to Santiago in early June 2012. I am flying to Lisbon from Toronto and am unsure how to get from the airport to Valenca (or Tui) to start my walk. I have heard that there is a long bus trip available but think that I would prefer the train to a bus if possible. I will however search out whatever is recommended as the best and quickest way to get there. I have searched online but the only thing I can find is a 7 hour train ride and that seems a long time for a 375 km trip. It's hard to plan when the walk will actually start when I can't find anything that gives me an idea of how long it will take to get to Valenca/Tui.

I was also wondering if I really needed a sleeping bag or if I could manage with just a liner at that time of year. I am usually hot when I sleep and would like to reduce the amount I have to carry if possible.

Has anyone any experience or advice for me? Thanks.

 

[Finisterre]

A liner will be fine and the train moves well enough.

Turn right out of Valenca station and left when you get to the castle.
if you lose your way ask for the fire station, (bombadeiros (sp?))
the modern and comfy alberque is next door to it

 

[taylorshi]

Thank you Finisterre this really helps. My plane gets in at noon so now I have to figure out if I have enough time, after clearing customs, to catch a train right away or if I should spend the night in Lisbon. Do you know if the train station is far from the airport? or where I can find the schedules for the train? Thanks again.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Taylorshi,

If your plane is on time, you are likely to be able to get the 14:00 train, which arrives in Valenca at 20:22. There is also one at 17:00, arriving 22:10. You can get all the schedules here: http://www.cp.pt/cp/displayPage.do?vgne ... 01a8c0RCRD (I think that is the link to the English page, but if not, just go to cp.pt and you'll find it)

The airport is very close to the Oriente train station, probably around 2-3 miles, so you can get there very quickly in a cab. Probably a 10-15 minute ride if traffic is cooperating.

So I guess you have to decide whether you want to arrive in Valenca at night, or whether you'd rather spend a night in Lisbon first. If you did go into the city to spend the afternoon/evening, you could get a train the next morning from the in-city station, called Santa Apolonia. Departures from there are about 10 minutes before their departure from Oriente.

I love Lisbon and wouldn't pass up an opportunity to spend some time in the downtown historic core, but if you're anxious to get started on the Camino, you'll probably want to head right up to Valenca.

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[taylorshi]

Thank you so much Laurie. I will check out the link for train schedules you sent and probably take a day in Lisbon before I head out. Your opinion, added to the reading I have done, makes it sound like a wonderful way to start my Camino. If the helpful and friendly responses I have had on this forum are anything to go by, I am really looking forward to walking the Camino and meeting others on the way. Shirley