How to Get to Sarria to Start the Camino de Santiago

To reach Sarria, first look for a train to its station or a bus connection via Lugo. If you fly into Galicia, compare the whole journey from the airport, rather than the flight alone: the last connection may depend on a particular departure. Your best option depends on where you start, your travel date and when you want to begin walking.

Before booking: decide when you want to arrive in Sarria

Sarria is a common starting point on the French Way, but getting there takes planning of its own. Consider keeping your travel day separate from your first walking day if you arrive late or have several connections. You will then have time to collect what you need, find your accommodation and start without turning a transport delay into a race.

Set the date of your first night in Sarria. Then compare journeys that get you there with enough time to settle in. If you have a fixed return date, look at your journey home from Santiago as well: you may want to choose your departure airport before buying your outbound ticket.

For the walking days ahead, see the guide to the last 100 km from Sarria and, when you are ready to set off, the Sarria to Portomarín stage.

Getting to Sarria by train

Sarria has its own railway station, so the train can take you directly into town. Renfe lists connections with Lugo, Ourense, A Coruña and Madrid; the services available depend on the date. Enter “Sarria” as your destination in the official booking tool and read the entire itinerary before paying.

From Madrid, compare the options on Renfe’s Madrid–Sarria route page. The booking tool shows whether you need to change trains and how much time you have between them; choose an arrival that works with your first night.

From other cities, you may need to connect at a Galician station. Buy a journey through to Sarria if the booking tool offers one. If you buy separate tickets, allow extra time between trains: a tight connection may look cheap on paper but become costly if you miss the second service.

If you are travelling with poles, a large backpack or a suitcase, check the baggage rules for your ticket. If you have a suitcase you will not use while walking, consider sending it directly to Santiago with Correos; this is a separate booking from the train.

Getting there by bus via Lugo or from elsewhere in Galicia

For many starting points, Lugo is a useful road connection. Search for a service to Lugo, then a Lugo–Sarria departure on your date. Monbus and ALSA have route and ticket searches, but check which operator actually sells each leg rather than assuming a route is available.

The route via Lugo is straightforward to understand: arrive at Lugo bus station and connect with a service to Sarria. Make sure your second ticket leaves from that station, not another stop. If you are coming from Santiago airport, Aena confirms a Monbus airport–Lugo bus; search Monbus for the onward Lugo–Sarria journey.

When the journey uses different operators, leave reasonable time between services and save both tickets. Check whether you have to move between stations or stops. Separate tickets need enough margin for that transfer and a possible delay.

From Santiago city, search Santiago–Sarria on Monbus and read the route returned: some itineraries may go via Lugo. Compare this bus ticket with a train to Sarria and the journey from your arrival point to the station.

From Santiago airport: two possible routes

Aena lists two useful services from the terminal: Tralusa’s urban 6A bus into Santiago and a Monbus intercity bus to Lugo. The first lets you connect in Santiago with a train or bus to Sarria. The second takes you to Lugo for a Lugo–Sarria connection and may save you going back towards the capital.

You can also try “Aeropuerto de Santiago” as the origin and “Sarria” as the destination in the Monbus search. If it returns a journey for your date, see whether you stay on the same bus or must change: Aena lists airport–Lugo, but does not confirm a direct airport–Sarria line. This avoids relying on a connection that may not run when you land.

If you choose the 6A, find out where it drops you in Santiago and how you will reach your next service. If you choose Lugo, check the arrival station and your ticket to Sarria. Allow time to get off the plane and collect luggage. If the last connection is too close, a night in Santiago or Lugo takes the pressure off the journey.

What if you fly to A Coruña or arrive via Ourense?

Renfe’s information names A Coruña and Ourense among the cities connected with Sarria. That does not mean every flight or road arrival has an immediate connection. Search for the transfer from your terminal to the station, then the full journey to Sarria.

When comparing airports, add the ground transport and any extra overnight stay. A cheaper flight does not always make the whole journey cheaper or shorter. The same applies from another city: identify the last service that actually reaches Sarria and plan backwards from there.

By car: plan the return before you leave

If you drive, find a permitted place to park and check its current terms with the local authority or accommodation provider. Leaving a car for several days means knowing where it will be and how you will get back to it from Santiago. A one-night accommodation booking does not automatically give you parking for a week.

If someone drops you in Sarria, agree on the exact drop-off point and allow time to reach your accommodation. Write down the same details if you share a ride. This can be useful when public transport connections are awkward, but the driver still needs to plan their own return.

Final checks before paying

• Search for “Sarria” as the final destination, not only the connecting city.
• Confirm the date, exact station or stop, and any changes.
• Allow time for luggage and travel between stops.
• Read the change and cancellation rules for each ticket.
• Save the address of your first night and how to get there from the station.

For accommodation, compare the options in the guide to albergues and private rooms. The Camino map helps you locate Sarria on the route; for departure times, use the operator’s own timetable.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a train from Madrid to Sarria?

Renfe has a dedicated Madrid–Sarria route page. Search your actual date to see available services, stations and changes. Do not buy on the basis of a timetable for another day.

Is it better to fly to Santiago or A Coruña?

It depends on when you land and what ground connection you can get to Sarria. Compare the complete journeys, not just flight prices.

Can I arrive in Sarria on the day I start walking?

Yes, if you arrive early and have enough time for the stage, but separating the days usually makes delays easier to handle. Book your first accommodation for your real arrival time.

Should I buy each leg separately?

If a through ticket to Sarria is available, it is easier to see the full route. With separate tickets, leave time between connections and check each operator’s terms.

Photo: Sarria — Nemigo · CC0.