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How to get from Porto to Santiago de Compostela
Direct buses from Porto to Santiago de Compostela take about 3 h 30 to 4 h for roughly €15–30. Driving takes about 2 h 30. By rail you take the cross-border train from Porto Campanhã to Vigo, then a Renfe train to Santiago, about 3 h 30 to 4 h in total.
Best option: Bus. Direct buses need no change and cost less than the train combination, with several departures a day.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bus Direct long-distance buses (e.g. FlixBus, ALSA) from Porto to Santiago de Compostela bus station; some also stop at Porto airport | about 3 h 30 – 4 h | several a day | about €15–30 | Book online for the best fares; check the departure point in Porto. |
| car A3 motorway north to Valença and Tui, then the Spanish AP-9 to Santiago | about 2 h 30 | fuel plus about €15–25 in tolls | Portuguese motorways use electronic tolls; rental cars usually have a device, otherwise register your plate. Santiago's old town is largely closed to traffic. | |
| train Cross-border train from Porto Campanhã to Vigo Guixar, then a Renfe train from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela | about 3 h 30 – 4 h including the change | only about two cross-border trains a day | about €25–40 in total | In Vigo, trains to Santiago usually leave from Vigo Urzaiz, a short walk from Guixar. Check current timetables. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Pilgrims walking the Portuguese Camino from Porto take around 10–14 days on foot.
- Santiago's bus station is a 20-minute walk or short bus ride from the cathedral.
- Drivers: sort out Portuguese electronic tolls before reaching the motorway.
- Spain is one hour ahead of Portugal; check departure times in local time.
Common questions
Is there a direct train from Porto to Santiago de Compostela?
No. You take the cross-border train from Porto Campanhã to Vigo, of which there are only about two a day, then a Renfe train from Vigo to Santiago. In Vigo you usually change from Guixar to Urzaiz station on foot. Total time is about 3 hours 30 to 4 hours, so the direct bus is often simpler.
How long is the bus from Porto to Santiago?
About 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours on direct buses run by companies such as FlixBus and ALSA. Several buses run each day, and some also stop at Porto airport. Remember that Spain is one hour ahead of Portugal, so arrival times on your ticket will be in Spanish time.
Can I drive from Porto to Santiago de Compostela?
Yes, it takes about 2 hours 30 minutes on the A3 to the border at Valença and Tui and then the AP-9. Portuguese motorways use electronic tolls, so make sure your rental car has a toll device. Santiago's historic centre has limited traffic, so use a public car park near the old town.
Can I do Santiago as a day trip from Porto?
By car it is possible, with about five hours of driving in total, leaving time for the cathedral and the old town. By bus it is a long day of seven to eight hours of travel. Most travellers stay at least one night, especially to see the cathedral and Praza do Obradoiro in the evening.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.