Cavangal

I plan visits to Santiago and Portugal end of August staying about 12 days. Looking at various tours but may not have enough time in Santiago to walk around historic sites.The tour to Santiago is only a day trip which would give little time to see areas. Is there public transportation covering some of the Camino route? I did see a tour from UK that travels via Burgos, Leon on to Santiago. If there is transportation I could connect with along this route to Santiago I might like this route if its a good choice? I need some help please organizing best route. If I decide to travel east towards Bilbao for flight, would this be a scenic route? Have not booked flights yet so am flexible, could leave from Porto, Lisbon or Bilbao stopping in Ireland enroute to NY.
Looking forward to receiving some suggestions. Thank youl

Aduchamp1

I am little confused by your options.

Santiago is relatively small city and the major sights are near one another.

There are buses between Santiago and Astorga and Leon which are on the Camino. Lugo is an interesting town.

adrienne

Porto to Santiago is a little over 2 hours driving (according to google) so a day trip by bus is possible. The train takes almost 5 hours so that would be out as a day trip.

I'm confused by your post too but I think it is because you are confused about where you want to go. Your other thread mentioned Lisbon/Algarve and now you're thinking about Santiago and the French Camino.

Perhaps you should walk from Porto to Santiago. I think there's a thread on this board about walking the Portuguese Camino.

ribeirasacra

Q) Is there public transportation covering some of the Camino route?
Yes you have to look at www.ASLA.es for the bus schedule. BTW which camino are you asking about?
What do you mean by best route? What is best for one person maybe a horror for another.
Q) If I decide to travel east towards Bilbao for flight, would this be a scenic route?
The coastal road/route is far more scenic than the inland route.

Cavangal

Thanks to all for responding. Reason for my confusing post I first thought of taking the escorted tour which is expensive and when I checked the hotel they offered with half board it got good reviews but most complained about the food and service. I now realize I can do it myself and have more time to enjoy. I can begin the journey depending on my point of arrival when I decide on flights. I might go to Porto and continue to Santiago and then on towards Bilbao and would like to travel on some of the Camino by public transit. I checked Asla site but did not see any service except for the Algarve areas. Will post again when I have made decisions about the travel. Appreciate receiving your input.

ribeirasacra

Odd to say the least.......here are short links to one bus route you may want.
http://bit.ly/isD6ok
You will find others depending on which Camino you want to follow.

cruiseluv

Ribeirasacra, maybe part of his confusion is that the link was in error ( I assume you meant www. Alsa.es?)

Cavangal

I now have a map of Spain showing the Camino routes. I am not familiar with any of the towns so will have to begin research and decide on a short route. I will travel by bus just to get the experience of enjoying the areas. When I got the Alsa site I was not able to pick up Porto or any of the areas in Spain on this route.

I need help please planning an itinerary as I am looking for flight into Porto saying at hotel in Povoa de Varzim, Portugal. Thank you to all for your input.

cruiseluv

Cavangal,

If Porto is going to be your starting point on the Alsa bus you have to click on "international" on the home page of Alsa.

toastandbutter

Depending on the amount of time you have available, you could consider taking the train from Santiago de Compostela and stop off at the major cities of the Camino Frances, the route from Compostela to the Spanish/French border in the Pyrenees. Astorga, just outside Leon, Leon itself, Burgos, and Pamplona are all easily accessible by train, and all are famous for their association with the Camino.

Cavangal

Many thanks for info just received on train route which I might like as I am familiar with some Pyrenees areas. I am away this week but will get back to work on itinerary before end of week. Have not been able to book flights yet so am still a bit flexible on best place to start journey.