Are you planning to do the Camino de Santiago and have decided to start from Sarria? This is a popular choice, especially for those embarking on a pilgrimage route for the first time. But how do you get to Sarria? It’s easier than you might think, and in this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
The town of Sarria is located in the south of the province of Lugo. As the capital of the municipality, with around 13,000 inhabitants, it is the starting point for many pilgrims each year. Sarria is well connected within Galicia and even with the rest of Spain. Let’s explore the options for getting to Sarria, depending on where you’re coming from and the mode of transport you choose.
Coat of arms of the Galician city of Sarria, in Lugo
How to get to Sarria from Madrid
Madrid is one of the cities from which most people travel to Sarria, and it perhaps offers the easiest option. You have several choices for getting there.
By train
You can take a direct train from Madrid – Chamartín to Sarria with Renfe, which operates several trains a day. The journey takes between 4 and 5 hours, and it’s the most convenient and practical option. Once on the train, you just need to wait and reach your destination. Pay attention, as some departures have connections, while others do not.
Another option, if necessary, would be to travel to Lugo or Santiago de Compostela and then combine another means of transport to get to Sarria.
Pilgrims from all over the world arrive in Sarria through international flights through Madrid
By bus
There are no direct bus connections from Madrid, so you will first need to reach Lugo or Santiago de Compostela. With the ALSA company, you can check the various daily departures. Once you arrive in one of these cities, you can take another bus with the Monbus company to get to Sarria.
By car
If you prefer to drive, the distance from Madrid is about 500 kilometers, and it will take you around 5 hours driving on the A-6 highway. You can take the exit to the N-VI at Castroverde/O Corgo, follow the CP-16-11, and take the CG 2.2 towards Monforte de Lemos. In a few kilometers, you will find the exit to Sarria.
View of arrival in Sarria by car from Lugo and Santiago de Compostela
How to get to Sarria from Barcelona
Compared to Madrid, Barcelona is quite a bit farther from Sarria, but there are also several ways to get there.
By train
There are no direct trains from Barcelona to Sarria, so you will first need to pass through Madrid – Chamartín. However, despite detouring to Madrid, this way you will be directly in Sarria. The total journey can take between 9 and 12 hours.
By plane and train/bus
This is the fastest option, although it involves links, combinations, and transfers. You can fly from Barcelona to Santiago de Compostela and then take a Renfe train or a Monbus bus to Sarria.
By car
The distance is about 1000 kilometers and will take you approximately 10 hours. It’s a long journey but feasible if you enjoy driving through a combination of highways and toll roads.
Pilgrims arriving at the Sarria Public Pilgrims Hostel
How to get to Sarria from Valencia
From Valencia, it’s similar to the situation from Barcelona, and there are also several options for getting to Sarria.
By train
As with Barcelona, there are no direct trains, and the option is to take a train to Madrid – Chamartín and then another to Sarria. The total journey can take between 7 and 8 hours.
By plane and train/bus
Flying from Valencia to Santiago de Compostela and then taking a train or bus to Sarria is another option.
By car
The distance is a little over 850 kilometers and will take you approximately 8 to 9 hours. It will be a combination of highways and toll roads.
You can start your Camino from Sarria on its Paseo del Malecón
Tips for getting from Santiago to Sarria
If you are already in Santiago de Compostela, getting to Sarria is quite simple:
- By train: There are Renfe trains with transfers that run several times a day, and the journey takes between 2 and 4 hours.
- By bus: You can also opt for the bus with Monbus. There is a direct bus from Santiago de Compostela’s Intermodal Station, which stops and picks up passengers at the airport. It runs every day at 11:00 AM and takes 2 hours, but there is only one bus. If you don’t take this option, you would need to go by bus to Lugo, and from there, take another bus to Sarria.
- By car: The distance is about 120 kilometers and will take you around 1 hour and 30 minutes, with a combination of highway and road.
If I come by car, what options do I have?
Wherever you come from, if you have decided to arrive in Sarria by car, you probably have some questions. Where can I leave the car in Sarria? How do I get back to Sarria? We also have a super convenient option you may not know about.
If you come in your car, we have a very good option to take care of it while you do your Camino
Leaving the car in a parking lot in Sarria
Sarria is not a very large town, it doesn’t have many inhabitants, and it’s not dangerous. You can leave the car parked on the street, as there aren’t many parking restrictions.
Another option is to leave it in a private, enclosed, and protected parking lot, giving you more peace of mind. There are several parking options you can hire.
Returning from Santiago by bus
To pick up your car in Sarria, you can take the Monbus bus to go and get it. Remember, there is only one direct bus at 11:00 AM! Otherwise, you will need to transfer in Lugo.
Shall we take your car?
Vehicle transfer from Sarria to Santiago
And here we leave you the best proposal. Can you imagine finishing your Camino from Sarria and having your car waiting in Santiago de Compostela? It sounds like magic, but it isn’t.
In our trips, we offer a very convenient vehicle transfer service. When you arrive in Sarria, we collect your car and take it to Santiago, where we keep it safe.
This is an ideal option for those who want to pilgrimage without worries, as well as for those doing the Camino with bicycle. For this last option, it’s very advantageous, as you avoid traveling by public transport and its limitations for bicycles.
Come to Santiago with us and we will take care of your car
And if I need a transfer?
If you need a transfer, we can help. Whether from Santiago airport, the city, or any other point in Galicia, with a dog or bike, you just need to contact us.
If you are doing the Camino for the first time, you may have chosen Sarria and the last 100 km of the French Way. Getting to this town will be the first step to starting your adventure on the Camino de Santiago. No matter where you come from, there are multiple options to make your trip comfortable and hassle-free. So get ready, plan your route, and enjoy the journey! Buen Camino!
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