How to get to Sarria

Sarria, in Lugo, is the most popular starting point of the French Way. We tell you how to get there from Santiago and its airport, and from Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia, by train, bus, car or plane.

Are you planning to do the Camino de Santiago and have decided to start the Camino de Santiago from Sarria? It is a very popular choice, especially for those walking the Camino for the first time: from here you walk the last 100 km, the minimum distance to earn the Compostela. Getting to Sarria is easier than you might think, and in this article we tell you everything you need to know.

The town of Sarria is in the south of the province of Lugo. It has about 13,000 inhabitants and is the most common starting point of the French Way: in 2025, more than 160,000 pilgrims began their journey here, according to the Pilgrim's Office statistics. Sarria is well connected to Galicia and to the rest of Spain. Let's look at the options for getting to Sarria, depending on where you are coming from and the means of transport you choose.

How to get from Santiago de Compostela to Sarria

If you are already in Santiago or you land at its airport, you have several ways to get to Sarria to start the Camino.

By bus

This is the most direct option. Monbus runs one direct bus a day from the Santiago "Estación Intermodal" bus and train station, next to the train station, usually at 11:00, and it reaches Sarria bus station in about two hours, after stopping in Arzúa, Melide, Palas de Rei and Portomarín. Tickets can also be bought online, and it is worth checking the timetable for the day you travel, because it may change at weekends.

It is the only direct bus of the day: if it does not suit you, you can take a bus to Lugo and change there for the Sarria bus, a journey of about 30 minutes. During the week there are quite a few buses from Lugo to Sarria; on public holidays, fewer.

By train

There is no direct train from Santiago. You have to change trains, and the whole journey usually takes between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the wait between trains. Sarria station is right in the town itself.

From Santiago airport

The direct bus to Sarria also stops at Rosalía de Castro airport, about 15 minutes after leaving Santiago. If you land later, the city bus line 6A takes you to the Estación Intermodal, and from there you continue by train or by bus via Lugo. If you haven't booked your flight yet, here are the flights to Santiago airport.

By car or with a private transfer

By road it is about 113 kilometers, around 1 hour and 20 minutes. If you prefer not to depend on timetables, we can arrange a private transfer for you from Santiago or from the airport.

How to get to Sarria from Madrid

Madrid is one of the cities from which most people set off for Sarria, and it offers perhaps the easiest option. You have several ways to get there.

By train

You can take a direct Renfe train from Madrid-Chamartín to Sarria. The journey takes about 4 hours, and it is the most comfortable and practical option: once you are on the train, all you have to do is wait to reach your destination. Pay attention when you buy your ticket, because not all trains are direct: on others you have to change in Ourense or Monforte de Lemos.

By plane and train or bus

You can fly from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela and continue from there by bus with Monbus (the direct one or with a change in Lugo) or by train with Renfe, as we explained above. The flight is short, but remember to add the time for connections.

By bus

By bus there is no direct line from Madrid, so you will first need to get to Lugo: with ALSA the journey takes about 6 and a half hours; check the day's departures on their website. In Lugo you can take the Monbus bus to Sarria.

By car

If you prefer to drive, the distance from Madrid is about 500 kilometers, around 5 hours on the A-6 motorway. Before reaching Lugo, take the exit towards Sarria and Monforte de Lemos and continue along the LU-546; you can also get to Lugo and drive from there the roughly 30 km of the CG-2.2 dual carriageway to Sarria.

Can you get to Sarria from Barcelona?

Barcelona is quite a bit farther from Sarria than Madrid, but there are also several ways to get there.

By plane and train or bus

This is the fastest option, although it involves connections and changes. You can fly from Barcelona to Santiago de Compostela and then continue by bus with Monbus or by train with Renfe to Sarria.

By train

There are no direct trains from Barcelona to Sarria, so the simplest way is to go through Madrid and take a train to Sarria from there: the direct one, if you find a seat, or one with a change in Ourense or Monforte de Lemos. The whole journey can take between 9 and 12 hours.

By car

The distance is about 1,000 kilometers and it will take you around 10 hours. It is a long trip, but doable if you enjoy driving, along a combination of motorways and toll roads.

How to get to Sarria from Valencia

From Valencia it is much the same as from Barcelona, and there are also several options for getting to Sarria.

By plane and train or bus

One option is to fly from Valencia to Santiago de Compostela and then continue by train or bus to Sarria.

By train

As from Barcelona, there are no direct trains: the most common option is to take a train to Madrid and catch one to Sarria there. The whole journey can take between 7 and 8 hours.

By car

The distance is a little over 850 kilometers and it will take you between 8 and 9 hours, along a combination of motorways and toll roads.

And if I come by car, what are my options?

Wherever you are coming from, if you have decided to get to Sarria by car, some questions will probably come up: where do I leave the car in Sarria? How do I get back to it? We also suggest a very convenient option you may not know about.

Leaving your car in Sarria

Sarria is a small, quiet town, and you have several options for leaving your car while you walk. We explain them in our guide to parking for walking the Camino from Sarria.

If you want more peace of mind, you can leave it in a private car park: in Sarria there are several long-stay car parks designed for pilgrims, and from May to October it is best to book a space in advance.

Coming back from Santiago by bus

To pick up your car in Sarria, you can take the Monbus bus. Keep in mind that there is only one direct bus a day, the one leaving Santiago around 11:00. If you cannot catch it, you will have to take a bus to Lugo and change there.

Vehicle transfer from Sarria to Santiago

And here is the best proposal. Can you imagine finishing your Camino from Sarria and, when you reach Santiago de Compostela, finding your car waiting for you? It seems like magic, but it isn't.

On our trips we offer a very convenient vehicle transfer service: when you start walking in Sarria, we pick up your car and take it to Santiago, where we hand it back to you when you finish.

It is an ideal option for anyone who wants to walk the Camino without worries, and also for those who are going to do the Camino by bike: that way you avoid public transport and its limits on carrying a bike.

What if I need a transfer?

If you need a transfer, we can help you. Whether from Santiago airport, from the city or from any other point in Galicia, you can request it online on our transfers page.

If you are going to do the Camino for the first time, you have very likely chosen Sarria and the last 100 km of the French Way. Getting here will be the first step of your adventure on the Camino de Santiago, and wherever you are coming from there are plenty of options to make the journey comfortable and hassle-free. So get ready and, once you have it clear, calculate the price of your Camino from Sarria here. Buen Camino!