ARRIVAL-PARKING-DEPARTURE
ARRIVAL BY PLANE
Airport: Madrid (MAD), Pamplona (PNA), Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)
Flights can be booked individually. For details see your final travel documents.
ARRIVAL BY TRAIN
Train station: Madrid, Pamplona
There are 2-5 trains a day from Madrid-Chamartín to Astorga at about EUR 45.- Travelling from Madrid-Chamartín to León offers more options, but you need to change trains in León, tickets at approx. EUR 35.-.
TRANSFERS
Transfer from Madrid to Astorga is very easy by bus. The bus company ALSA runs a daily service from Madrid to Astorga (buses leaving either from Madrid South station "Estación Sur" or the Airport, Terminal 4), ticket cost approx. EUR 30.-.
For the 18-day-tour it is easiest to go to Pamplona first (nearest international airport is Bilbao (BIO)), then you continue by bus AUTOBUSES LA UNION, approx. 2h, ticket cost about EUR 15.-.
Return flight is recommended from Santiago de Compostela, Transfer from Santiago to Madrid is also possible by bus.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please take note that bike helmets are compulsory outside of built-up areas/towns!
The pilgrim passport:
In former times a pilgrim would obtain his credentials (pilgrim passport) from his own church and present it along the way in order to be given food and lodging in many "hospitals". He had his papers stamped at different stages so that once he arrived in Santiago, he could obtain his "Compostela" or certificate of pilgrimage from the Cathedral Authorities.
This procedure is still possible, not compulsory. We recommend to make the effort to get your pilgrim passport at the pilgrims´ hostel in Astorga on your first day, and get it stamped along the way at cafes, restaurants, hostels, etc. Once you reach Santiago you can present your stamped passport at the Cathedral´s office to get a (latin) certificate to take home with you.
