Have you ever wondered how to get to Ferrol, the historic starting point of the Camino Inglés? If you’re going to do the Camino de Santiago and are traveling from different parts of Spain, we bring you all the information you need to get to Ferrol. Join us to discover the best ways to reach the start of the Camino Inglés from Ferrol and begin this unique experience. You can’t miss it!
On the Camino Inglés, you can enjoy the Rías Altas
Ferrol, located in the north of Galicia and the province of A Coruña, is the starting point for many pilgrims who choose the Camino Inglés. With a population of just over 60,000 inhabitants, the city has a deep connection with the sea, as does the route itself, which takes its name from the maritime origin of its pilgrims from the British Isles. Well connected both within Galicia and with other Spanish cities, whatever your starting point, there are several transport options to get to Ferrol, tailored to your style and budget.
How to get to Ferrol from Madrid
Perhaps the easiest way to reach Ferrol is from Madrid. Let’s see what options are available.
By plane and train/bus
You can fly from Madrid Airport to either the A Coruña or Santiago airport, and from there take a bus to Ferrol (which is almost better than the train). This trip is quick, with an estimated time of around 4-5 hours in total (considering the waiting time at airports).
By train
From Madrid, you can take a direct train to A Coruña. There are direct trains with Renfe, and others that require a transfer in A Coruña. The total trip takes around 6 hours.
By bus
The company Alsa offers direct routes from Madrid to Ferrol, with several departures daily. The journey takes between 7 – 8 hours.
By car
If you choose to travel by car, the distance from Madrid to Ferrol is approximately 600 km, which will take you about 6 hours of travel. The fastest route is to take the A-6, A-8, and AG-64, or the A-6 and then the AP-9 towards Ferrol.
Pilgrims on the Camino Inglés
How to get to Ferrol from Barcelona
From Barcelona, there are options, although some go through Madrid. Let’s take a look at them.
By plane and train/bus
You can fly from Barcelona Airport to either the A Coruña or Santiago airport, and from there take a bus to Ferrol (which is almost better than the train). This trip is quick, with an estimated time of around 5 – 6 hours in total (considering the waiting time at airports).
By train
From Barcelona, you can take a train with Renfe, but you’ll have to change trains in Madrid. The trip takes about 10 hours depending on the connections.
By bus
The company Alsa offers routes from Barcelona to Ferrol, but with stops that make the trip take a lot of hours. This may not be the best option.
By car
If you prefer to go by car, the distance from Barcelona to Ferrol is about 1,100 km, which will take you about 11 hours of driving. The most direct option is to take the A-2, AP-68, AP-1, A-231, and other roads. Finally, you’ll need to reach the A-6, A-8, and AG-64, or the A-6 and then the AP-9 towards Ferrol.
View of the Ría de Pontedeume with the highway bridge in the background
How to get from Valencia to Ferrol
There are various alternatives from Valencia. Let’s look at them one by one.
By plane and train/bus
You can fly from Valencia Airport to either the A Coruña or Santiago airport, and from there take a bus to Ferrol (which is almost better than the train). This trip is quick, with an estimated time of around 5 – 6 hours in total.
By train
From Valencia, you can take a train with Renfe, but you’ll need to change trains in Madrid. The trip takes about 9 hours depending on the connections.
By bus
By bus, you need to arrive in Madrid (about 4 hours), and then transfer to get to Ferrol, which makes the trip take a lot of hours. This is not the best option.
By car
The distance between Valencia and Ferrol is approximately 1,000 km, which means about 10 hours of travel by road. Take the A-3, A-6, A-8, and AG-64, or the A-3, A-6, and then the AP-9 towards Ferrol.
On the Camino Inglés, you’ll find many bridges crossing rivers and rías
How to get to Ferrol from Sevilla
From Sevilla, there are also options to get to Ferrol, which we’ll see below.
By plane and train/bus
Another option is to fly from Sevilla to the A Coruña or Santiago airport and take a bus or train to Ferrol. This trip usually takes between 5 and 6 hours, making it a comfortable and fast option.
By train
From Sevilla, you can take a train to Madrid, and from there continue the journey to Ferrol with a transfer in Madrid. The estimated travel time is about 10 hours.
By bus
By bus, from Sevilla, you’ll go through Extremadura. You’ll have a transfer in Salamanca, and then continue to Ferrol, but the many hours make this not the best option.
By car
From Sevilla, the distance to Ferrol is a bit more than 900 km, which equates to about 10 hours of travel. The most direct route is to take the A-66, A-6, A-8, and AG-64, or the A-66, and then continue on the A-6 and later the AP-9 towards Ferrol.
On the Camino Inglés from Ferrol, you will discover that the Camino is life
Connections between airports and Ferrol
From Santiago airport, there are some direct departures to Ferrol by bus with the company Monbus, but they are limited. If you don’t match the times, you would need to go to the Intermodal Station (bus and train) in Santiago by urban bus and take the bus from there, as it has more departures.
From A Coruña Airport, there are no direct departures to Ferrol, and you would need to reach the bus or train station in A Coruña by urban bus and take a bus with Monbus (direct or with stops) or Renfe to Ferrol.
Pilgrims boarding a bus
If I come by car, what should I do with it during my Camino?
If you decide to travel by car to Ferrol, you’re probably wondering what to do with the car: leave it in Santiago to have it there when you finish? Or travel to Ferrol and come back for it? And… where do I leave it, on the street or in a parking lot?
Leave the car in Ferrol
If you arrive by car and wish to leave it in Ferrol while you walk the Camino de Santiago, there are several paid parking lots in the city. It’s not an especially dangerous city, and there are not many parking restrictions. In the area near the train and bus station, there are free parking zones.
Once you finish your pilgrimage, you can return to Ferrol from Santiago de Compostela by bus (which is a better option than by train). The company Monbus offers several daily services between both cities, with an estimated journey time of 1h 30min.
Additionally, if you wish, we can take you to Ferrol with our private transfers. And even more, we can offer a vehicle transfer service: we’ll pick up the car in Ferrol when you arrive, take it to Santiago, care for it, and return it to you when you finish your Camino.
In Santiago de Compostela center, there are several parking restrictions
Leave the car in Santiago
If at the start of your journey you wish to leave the car in Santiago, it is possible to park in Santiago, either for free or by paying for a private parking spot. Once parked, you’ll need to get to Ferrol to start your Camino with the company Monbus.
Getting to Ferrol from any city in Spain is easy, with options by train, bus, plane, and car. No matter where you’re coming from, you’ll always find an option that fits your trip. Furthermore, if you’re traveling by car, Ferrol offers places to park safely while you start your Camino. If you’re ready to begin this adventure on the Camino Inglés, don’t hesitate to organize it with us! Contact us and make your pilgrimage an unforgettable experience!
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