Santiago Airport: Complete Transport & Connections Guide (2026) ✅ OPEN
Updated: May 29, 2026 | By Susana
To our surprise, this guide about Santiago Airport has had quite a reach. We have gathered and adjusted the official information available to us. With this update we believe that whether you're visiting Santiago or planning to walk the Camino de Santiago, you will have all the data you need to plan your trip efficiently and without complications. Warm regards and safe travels — we look forward to welcoming you to Santiago.
✈️ Airports to reach Santiago
Here in the neighbourhood we know how important it is to have all the info to plan your trip. That's why we've put together this guide with the main airports for reaching Santiago, including practical alternatives. Each has its own advantages, and we'll walk you through them in detail.
🟢 A Coruña Airport (Alvedro) — LCG
Distance to Santiago: 65 km (~45 min by car).
How to get to Santiago: Direct MonBus (enhanced service) from A Coruña bus station to Santiago Intermodal Station. Price: €8-10. Time: 1h 15 min.
Flights: The biggest beneficiary during the closure. Handles 80% of Santiago's flights, with activity increasing by 70%, exceeding 50 flights on some days.
New international routes: London-Heathrow (Vueling), Paris-Orly (Vueling) and Dublin (Aer Lingus).
New domestic routes: Seville, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca (Vueling) and Bilbao (Air Nostrum).
🟡 Vigo Airport (Peinador) — VGO
Distance to Santiago: 90 km (~1h 15 min by car).
How to get to Santiago: MonBus or Train (Renfe). The bus takes 1h 15 min and costs €9-12. The train from Urzáiz station takes just 53 min. Both arrive at Santiago Intermodal Station.
Flights: Receives a smaller boost during the closure, with 5 additional daily operations, mostly domestic flights.
Airlines: Air Europa, Vueling, Ryanair.
🔵 Porto Airport (Sá Carneiro) — OPO
Distance to Santiago: 230 km (~2h 30 min by car).
How to get to Santiago: Up to 22 daily direct bus services operated by ALSA, FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus. Journey time: 3h 30 min to 5h 00 min. From €9.99.
Arrival point: Santiago Intermodal Station (C/ Clara Campoamor, s/n).
Ideal for: International travelers and pilgrims. If you're coming from America, Asia or the UK, this is often the most affordable and flexible option.
💡 If you're planning to walk the Camino de Santiago, check out our Portuguese Way Guide from Porto, where we explain how to get from the airport, take the train to Tui and complete the stages efficiently.
🟠 Madrid-Barajas and High-Speed Train Connection
How to get to Santiago: AVE high-speed train (Renfe) from Madrid-Chamartín station. Time: 2h 45 min. Price: from €25. Arrives at Santiago de Compostela railway station.
Ideal for: Those who already have a flight to Madrid or find better long-haul prices. The AVE is comfortable and fast.
✈️ Direct flights from the UK and US to alternative airports
If you're flying from the United Kingdom, Ireland or the United States, here are the best options to get as close to Santiago as possible during the closure. These are the routes that will save you time, money and unnecessary connections.
🇬🇧 Direct flights from the UK to A Coruña (LCG) — The most direct option
London-Heathrow (LHR) → A Coruña (LCG)
Direct flight operated by Vueling. Flight time: 2h 15-30 min. From £44 one-way.
London-Gatwick (LGW) → A Coruña (LCG)
Direct flight operated by Vueling (codeshare with British Airways and Iberia). Flight time: ~2h 25 min.
🇬🇧 Direct flights from the UK to Porto (OPO) — The most flexible and affordable
London → Porto
Direct flights with Ryanair and easyJet from Stansted, Luton and Heathrow. Flight time: ~2h 20 min. From £15 one-way.
Manchester → Porto
Direct flights with Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2. Flight time: ~2h 25 min. From £28 one-way.
Bristol → Porto
Direct flights with easyJet and Ryanair. Flight time: ~2h 15 min. From £51 one-way.
Liverpool → Porto
Direct flight with Ryanair. Flight time: ~2h 25 min. From £59 one-way.
Edinburgh → Porto
Direct flight with Ryanair. Flight time: ~2h 50 min. From £21 one-way.
🇺🇸 Direct flights from the US — Best options
New York (Newark) — Coming soon to Santiago
From May 28, 2026, United Airlines will operate direct flights from Newark to Santiago de Compostela (3 weekly). Meanwhile, the best options are flying to Madrid-Barajas (with connections from New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston) and then taking the AVE train, or flying to Porto via connections from New York, Boston and Toronto.
💡 Prices are indicative and may vary by season. Always check airline websites for current fares.
🥾 Why A Coruña is a special gateway: The Camino Inglés (English Way)
🇬🇧 The Camino Inglés — A historic route for British pilgrims
Did you know? When you fly directly to A Coruña, you're not just choosing the fastest route to Santiago — you're following in the footsteps of countless medieval pilgrims from the British Isles. This is the historic Camino Inglés (English Way), a 75 km journey (3-5 days walking) that connects A Coruña or Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela.
It's the perfect option for a shorter pilgrimage or a long weekend adventure. After you collect your Compostela, we'll be here waiting to celebrate your achievement with you.
🚌 How to get from the airports to Santiago
We know it's best to have everything well planned. Here are the connections step by step, so you don't have to worry about a thing.
🚍 A Coruña Airport (LCG) → A Coruña Bus Station
Line A4 (Alsa) / 4051
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes on weekdays (7:15-21:45) and every 60 minutes on weekends and holidays.
- Price: €1.55 single ticket.
- Airport stop: Floor 0, arrivals area.
- Connection: Directly connects with A Coruña bus station, among other stops in the city centre.
🚍 Vigo Bus Station → Vigo Airport (VGO)
Line A (Vitrasa)
- Frequency: Approximately every 36 minutes on weekdays and Saturday afternoons, every 60 minutes on Sunday mornings.
- Price: €2.00.
- Stop at Vigo Bus Station: Line A stops at the bus station itself (within Urzáiz Intermodal Station).
- Airport stop: Floor 0, opposite the arrivals terminal.
🚍 Porto Airport (OPO) → Santiago de Compostela
Up to 22 daily services
ALSA: 22 daily services, departures from 04:00 to 23:59. Journey time: 3h 59 min to 5h 00 min. Some departures from the airport at 04:30, 06:30, 06:45 and 07:00 arrive in Santiago at 08:30, 11:15 and 11:30. Arrives at Santiago Intermodal Station.
FlixBus: Up to 13 daily trips, first bus at 2:40 am, last at 5:10 pm. Journey time: ~3h 30 min. Price: between €9.99 and €19.24.
BlaBlaCar Bus: 2 times a day, journey time ~3h 25 min. Prices from €15. Departures at 14:45 and 16:55.
📊 Connection summary table
| Alternative Airport | Transport | Estimated Travel Time | Estimated Price (one-way) | Departure Point | Arrival Point in Santiago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Coruña (LCG) | MonBus (enhanced) | 1h 15 min | €8-10 | A Coruña Bus Station | Santiago Intermodal Station |
| Vigo (VGO) | MonBus or Train (Renfe) | 1h 15 min (bus) / 53 min (train) | €9-12 | Vigo Bus Station or Urzáiz Train Station | Santiago Intermodal Station |
| Porto (OPO) | ALSA, FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus | 3h 30 min - 5h 00 min | From €9.99 | Porto Airport / Campanhã Station | Santiago Intermodal Station |
| Madrid (MAD) | AVE Train (Renfe) | 2h 45 min | From €25 | Madrid-Chamartín Station | Santiago de Compostela Station |
Indicative prices. Always check official websites for up-to-date fares.
🌍 New air routes: Santiago Airport connectivity
The Lavacolla runway renovation, carried out between April and May 2026, has transformed Santiago's connectivity. Here's how operations worked during the works and, above all, the new routes that have arrived with the reopening.
During the closure (April 23 – May 27)
🟢 A Coruña Airport (Alvedro) — The big winner
- Handles 80% of Santiago's flights.
- Activity increased by 70%, exceeding 50 flights on some days.
- New international routes: London-Heathrow (Vueling), Paris-Orly (Vueling), Dublin (Aer Lingus).
- New domestic routes: Seville, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca (Vueling), Bilbao (Air Nostrum).
🟡 Vigo Airport (Peinador) — Smaller boost
- Receives 5 additional daily operations, mostly domestic flights.
After reopening (from May 27, 2026)
Lavacolla has reopened in style. 12 new international routes now connect Santiago with the world like never before:
| Destination | Airline | Frequency | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🗽 New York (Newark) | United Airlines | 3 weekly (Mon, Thu, Sat) | May 28, 2026 |
| 🌍 Marrakech | Vueling | 2 weekly (Wed, Sat; Wed, Sun in summer) | Already operating (since Mar 27, 2026) |
| 🏝️ Ibiza | Vueling | 2 weekly (Thu, Sun) | June 18, 2026 |
| 🍷 Jerez de la Frontera | Vueling | 2 weekly (Wed, Sat) | June 3, 2026 |
| 🇨🇭 Zurich | Vueling | Full summer season | Already operating |
| 🇩🇪 Frankfurt | Lufthansa | Boost with 42 new frequencies. 1 daily in Jul/Aug, 5 weekly in Jun, Sep, Oct | Seasonal boost |
| 🇮🇪 Dublin | Aer Lingus | 5 weekly flights | May 30, 2026 |
| 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | KLM | New route | Coming soon |
| 🇮🇪 Cork | Aer Lingus | 2 weekly frequencies | Coming soon |
📌 The Marrakech route (Vueling) was already operating since March 27, 2026, before the airport closure. It remained active during the works and continues operating after the reopening.
📅 Opening and closure calendar
Here's a visual summary of the key dates:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 23, 2026 | 🔴 Santiago Airport (Lavacolla) closes |
| Apr 23 – May 27, 2026 | 🟢 Operations from A Coruña (Alvedro) and Vigo (Peinador) |
| May 27, 2026 | ✅ Santiago Airport reopens |
| May 28, 2026 | ✈️ New York flight starts (United Airlines) |
| May 30, 2026 | ✈️ Dublin boost (Aer Lingus, 5 weekly) |
| June 3, 2026 | ✈️ Jerez flight starts (Vueling) |
| June 18, 2026 | ✈️ Ibiza flight starts (Vueling) |
❓ Frequently asked questions
How do I get from A Coruña Airport (Alvedro) to A Coruña bus station?
Take bus line A4 (Alsa) directly from the airport to A Coruña bus station. The service runs every 30 minutes on weekdays and every hour on weekends. Single ticket: €1.55.
How often do the MonBus direct buses run between Santiago and A Coruña Airport?
From Monday to Friday there are 6 services in each direction. New buses from Santiago depart at 10:05, 14:25, 18:55 and 19:55, plus the existing 09:30 and 17:00 services. From A Coruña, new departures at 10:15, 12:15, 18:15 and 21:15, plus the existing 05:30 and 13:15.
How many daily buses are there from Porto Airport to Santiago de Compostela?
Up to 22 daily services operated by ALSA, FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus. Prices start from €9.99. Journey time ranges from 3 to 5 hours depending on traffic and route.
When did Santiago Airport reopen and what new routes does it have?
It reopened on May 27, 2026 after 35 days of works. It has debuted 12 new international routes, including direct flights to New York (United Airlines, from May 28), Marrakech (Vueling), Amsterdam (KLM), and Ibiza and Jerez (Vueling, from June). This is the first time Santiago has direct connections to three continents.
Is it worth flying to Porto and then taking a bus to Santiago?
If you're coming from the UK, the US or Asia, very often yes. Porto Airport (Sá Carneiro) has a wide range of international flights — especially from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Liverpool — and buses to Santiago are frequent and affordable (from €9.99). Plus, the journey takes you through the beautiful north of Portugal and Galicia.
Do the MonBus services from A Coruña and Vigo run every day?
Yes, they operate every day of the week, but frequency varies. Monday to Friday there are more services (every 30-60 min), while weekends and public holidays have reduced frequency. Always check the MonBus website for updated schedules.
🔗 Official travel planning links
Check updated timetables and prices directly on the official websites:
🚍 Transport to/from airports
- 🚌 Monbus – Direct buses from A Coruña and Vigo airports to Santiago
- 🚌 ALSA – Buses from Porto Airport (Portugal) to Santiago
- 🚌 FlixBus – Alternative bus connections from Porto and other European cities
- 🚆 Renfe – AVE and Avlo high-speed trains from Madrid (Chamartín), Barcelona and other cities
✈️ Official airport information
- 🇪🇸 Aena – Operator of Spanish airports (A Coruña, Vigo, Madrid-Barajas)
- 🇵🇹 Aeroporto do Porto – Official website of Porto Airport (Francisco Sá Carneiro)
🔔 All links open in a new window. Timetables and prices are for guidance only; always check official websites before travelling.
📝 Final recommendations
- Book buses and trains in advance, especially during peak season.
- If you're coming from afar, consider flying to Porto and then taking a bus to Santiago. It's often cheaper and offers more flight options, especially from the UK.
- If you're planning to walk the Camino de Santiago, check out our Portuguese Way Guide from Porto for an efficient route without going through Madrid.
- Share this guide in pilgrim and traveler groups. We all help each other.
- Check official websites for the links we provide. We are a burger joint, not a travel agency — we do our best to compile accurate official information, but frequencies, prices and routes can change over time.