Flights to Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)

Direct flights to Santiago from Spain, much of Europe and, in summer, New York: which routes and airlines there are, which alternative airports to use and how to get to the city centre.

If you're doing the Camino de Santiago, chances are your trip will start or end at Santiago airport. Here's what direct flights are available, what to do if there isn't one from your city, and how to get from the airport to the city centre or to where you start walking.

Santiago airport (SCQ), in a nutshell

The Santiago–Rosalía de Castro airport (also known as Lavacolla) is about 10 km from the centre of Santiago de Compostela. The Camino Francés itself runs right past it on its final stage, so many pilgrims land just a few kilometres from the finish line.

From the airport to the centre of Santiago

• Bus 6A: connects the terminal with the city centre, stopping at the Intermodal Station (train and bus) and Praza de Galicia, a few minutes' walk from the old town. The trip takes between 25 and 50 minutes depending on traffic. Right now the ticket costs €1, paid in cash to the driver, but there's been talk of changing the fare: check before you travel.
• Taxi: there's a taxi rank right outside the terminal, and you'll be in the centre in about 20 minutes.
• Private transfer: if you're heading straight to the start of your Camino, we can pick you up at the airport. More on that below.

Direct flights to Santiago

Routes and airlines change with the season, and some only operate in summer. Before planning your trip, double-check your dates on the Aena website or the airline's own site.

From Spain

• Madrid (MAD): Iberia.
• Barcelona (BCN): Vueling and Ryanair.
• Bilbao (BIO): Air Nostrum.
• Valencia (VLC), Seville (SVQ) and Málaga (AGP): Vueling.
• Alicante (ALC): Ryanair.
• Palma de Mallorca (PMI): Vueling.
• Ibiza (IBZ): Ryanair.
• Canary Islands: Tenerife North (TFN), Gran Canaria (LPA) and Fuerteventura (FUE) with Vueling; Tenerife South (TFS) with Ryanair; Lanzarote (ACE) with Vueling and Ryanair.

From Europe

• United Kingdom: London Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick (LGW) with Vueling; London Stansted (STN) with Ryanair.
• Ireland: Dublin (DUB) with Aer Lingus and Ryanair; Cork (ORK) with Aer Lingus.
• France: Paris-Orly (ORY) with Vueling.
• Belgium: Brussels-Charleroi (CRL) with Ryanair.
• Netherlands: Amsterdam (AMS) with KLM.
• Switzerland: Geneva (GVA) and Basel-Mulhouse (BSL) with easyJet; Zurich (ZRH) with Edelweiss.
• Germany: Frankfurt (FRA) with Lufthansa.

From Italy there's currently no direct flight: the usual option is a stopover in Madrid, Barcelona, or another major European airport.

Outside Europe

• New York (Newark, EWR): United Airlines runs the first regular direct flight between Galicia and the United States in summer, and has confirmed it's coming back in summer 2027.
• Marrakech (RAK): Vueling.

If you're coming from the Americas, Asia or Oceania

Outside the New York flight's season, the most practical option is to fly into a major airport with a direct connection to Santiago: Madrid, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Paris, London, or Amsterdam. If this is your first trip to Europe, our complete guide for international pilgrims has everything you need before you set off: documents, customs, money, your phone, and luggage.

Alternative airports

• A Coruña (LCG) and Vigo (VGO): domestic flights; from either city you can reach Santiago by train in under an hour.
• Porto (OPO): plenty of international connections and direct buses to Santiago (about 3 hours). If you're doing the Portuguese Way, it might make sense to start right there.

Your backpack on the plane

• Trekking poles: most airlines won't let you bring them in the cabin; check them in or buy some once you arrive.
• Knives, sprays and liquids: check the security rules before you pack.
• Weight: flying with hand luggage only forces you to travel light, which is exactly what you need on the Camino. We've got tips on how to avoid excess weight in your backpack.
• Large suitcase: if you're bringing one, our luggage transport service moves it from one stop to the next while you walk.

Booking tips

• Separate tickets: if you're combining airlines, leave plenty of time between flights, or travel with hand luggage only.
• High season: spring and summer are the busiest months, and 2027 is a Jacobean Holy Year, so book ahead. If you haven't decided when to go yet, we can help you choose in the best time to do the Camino.
• Compare airports: also check A Coruña, Vigo, and Porto.
• Luggage: check your fare's conditions, especially with low-cost airlines.

From the airport to the start of your Camino

You're already in Santiago, but your Camino starts somewhere else. Here's how to get to the main starting points:

• How to get to Sarria
• How to get to O Cebreiro
• How to get to Tui
• How to get to Vigo
• How to get to Ferrol
• How to get to A Coruña
• How to get to Lugo
• How to get to Roncesvalles (for this one, it's better not to fly into Santiago, but into Pamplona via Madrid)

The easiest option is a private transfer: we'll pick you up at the airport, the station, or your hotel and take you to Sarria, Tui, or Finisterre, among other destinations. And if you've got a spare day before your flight home, make the most of it: you'll find ideas in what to see and do in Santiago.

Already know when you're arriving? Calculate the price of your Camino here.