How to Get to Lugo

Do you dream of starting your Camino de Santiago surrounded by Roman walls, savoring delicious “pulpo á feira,” and with a very special Jacobean route ahead? Lugo is the perfect starting point: a two-thousand-year-old city, calm atmosphere, and everything you need to begin walking towards Santiago and obtain your Compostela. Let’s see how you can get to Lugo from different parts of Spain with various transport options.

Lugo behind the Roman Wall

Lugo at a glance

Before putting on your pilgrim boots, it’s worth spending a few hours getting to know the city. With around 100,000 inhabitants, Lugo is one of the top five Galician cities and the capital of the province bearing the same name. It doesn’t have its own airport but is well connected by train and bus and lies less than 75 km from Santiago (SCQ) and A Coruña (LCG) airports.

Lugo stands in the heart of Galicia on the banks of the Miño River. It is famous for its Roman wall, the only one in the world with its entire perimeter intact (2.1 km), declared a World Heritage Site and fully walkable. At its Cathedral of Santa María, a Romanesque-Gothic temple, you can obtain the daily perpetual indulgence thanks to the permanent exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. These are some of the highlights of this starting point of the last 100 km of the Primitive Way and a crossroads of the historic variant described by Hermann Künig in the 15th century. Oh! And as the saying goes, “para comer, Lugo” (“for eating, Lugo”).

Lugo’s Roman Wall

How to get to Lugo from Madrid

From the capital, you have several quick and convenient options to reach the walled city:

• By train: You can take a train from your departure point with a transfer in Ourense. The total journey to Lugo usually takes around 4 hours.
• By plane: If you choose to fly, you can easily reach Galicia by landing at Santiago de Compostela or A Coruña airports. From there, you have connections to Lugo by bus or train.
• By bus: Another option is to travel with ALSA, which offers daily services from various Spanish cities. Although it’s the longest journey, around 6 hours and 45 minutes, it can be ideal if you’re looking for a direct and affordable option without transfers.
• By car: If you prefer to drive, Lugo is about 500 km via the A-6 motorway. This trip usually takes around 5 hours, depending on traffic and stops, offering you the freedom to travel at your own pace and enjoy the scenery.

The Primitive Way from Lugo offers views like this

Getting to Lugo from Barcelona

If you’re coming from the Mediterranean, these connections will get you to Lugo as quickly as possible:

• By train: You can travel by train from Barcelona with a connection in Ourense, a trip of about 9 hours.
• By plane: You can fly directly from Barcelona to Santiago de Compostela or A Coruña. The flight takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes, and once in Santiago, you can take a direct bus or train to Lugo from the airport or the Intermodal Station.
• By bus: ALSA offers direct routes from Barcelona to Lugo. Although the journey is long —around 13 hours— it can be a practical option if you prefer to avoid transfers or are looking for a more economical alternative.
• By car: Driving from Barcelona, you’ll cover around 1,060 kilometers via the AP-7, A-2, and A-6. The trip usually takes about 11 hours, depending on your pace and stops, giving you complete flexibility to plan your route and breaks.

Octopus is one of Lugo’s most iconic delicacies

Getting to Lugo from Valencia

From the east to the west of Spain, here are the fastest options to reach Lugo, depending on your preferred transport and comfort level:

• By train: You can combine high-speed and medium-distance trains by traveling from Valencia to Madrid, and from there to Lugo via Ourense.
• By plane: Flying directly from Valencia or other eastern cities to Santiago de Compostela is one of the quickest ways to get closer to Lugo. The flight takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Once you land, you can take a direct bus or train from the airport or Santiago’s Intermodal Station to Lugo.
• By bus: If you choose the bus, the route usually involves a stop in Madrid. The total journey to Lugo takes between 11 and 12 hours, depending on waiting and connection times. It’s a valid option for those looking for a direct trip without needing to drive.
• By car: If you choose to drive, you’ll cover about 950 kilometers via the A‑3, A‑6, and A‑52. The trip takes around 9 hours and 45 minutes and allows you to plan stops and adapt the journey to your pace.

Roman Baths in Lugo

Traveling to Lugo from Seville

If you’re coming from Andalusia to northern Galicia, you can combine train, plane, or car depending on your pace and budget:

• By train: You can take a train from Seville with a transfer in Madrid towards Lugo. This route gets you to your destination in about 8 hours and 30 minutes.
• By plane: A direct flight from Seville to Santiago de Compostela takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, and from the airport or Santiago’s Intermodal Station, you can take a direct bus or train to Lugo.
• By bus: ALSA offers long-distance services connecting Andalusia with Lugo. Although the journey may take around 12 hours, it’s a direct and affordable option for those who prefer not to deal with transfers.
• By car: Driving from Seville to Lugo covers around 830 km via the A‑66 and A‑52 highways. This journey typically takes about 8 hours and offers the freedom to stop whenever you like and adjust the trip to your preferences.

Blessed Sacrament in Lugo’s Cathedral

Tips to reach Lugo from Santiago or A Coruña

If you’re already in Galicia or land at one of its main airports, reaching Lugo is easy from both Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña:

• From Santiago de Compostela to Lugo: To get from Santiago, you can choose the train with Renfe or the bus with Monbus, both connecting directly from the Intermodal Station. There are also connections from the airport, so you won’t need to go through the city center if you’re flying in.
• From A Coruña to Lugo: From A Coruña, you can also choose between the Renfe train and Arriva buses, both with regular departures.

Lugo City Hall

What if I come by car?

If you’re traveling in your own vehicle, here are some helpful tips to park stress-free and forget about driving during your Camino experience.

Lugo has several monitored parking lots located in the city center, which is a convenient first option if you want to keep your car in a secure place. However, if your priority is to avoid extra costs, you can choose to park in more distant neighborhoods where parking is free. From there, you can easily reach the center by bus or taxi in a 15–20 minute ride. Keep in mind that much of the city center is within a pay-parking zone (ORA), so it’s best to plan your parking spot well.

If you’re coming by car, we have a great option to take care of it while you enjoy your Camino

But if you’re really looking to forget about it completely, you can rely on our vehicle transfer service, which will take your car from Lugo to Santiago while you enjoy the Camino. We also organize private custom transfers from A Coruña or Santiago airports, offering flexible and personalized solutions to help you reach the starting point of your route with ease.

Now that you know everything about how to get to Lugo and start your adventure on the last 100 km of the Primitive Way, it’s time to take the first step. Choose the travel option that suits you best and leave the rest to us: hand-picked accommodations, luggage transfers, custom packages, and all our expertise so you can enjoy every kilometer between Roman walls and Galician forests.

Buen Camino and see you soon under the arches of the Wall!