Cavangal

I will include visit to Santiago in itinerary in September. I am active and good on trails. My plan is to arrive first into Lisbon to join tour group, staying near Porto. I got a good deal on hotel with some day trips included. I will then continue to Santiago for overnight, visiting historic Cathedral travel by train or bus, continuing onward into France making 1 or 2 stops overnight.

I hope to walk on some area of Camino trail at least once if this is possible just to enjoy experience, but am not sure which stop is best? I have a map and considered Leon overnight or Burgos, which would be a good distance,,but not sure if those areas would be close enough for me pick up Camino for a few hours each day? I then need to continue into France for flight out of Toulouse. Any help with my route much appreciated. I might also change this route if someone has better choices for me but I will be using public transportation.
I looked at RENFE and ALSA to calculate distances and see the fares are expensive. Not sure if senior discounts are offered on public transportation? Thanks to all for guidance

Loco2

I have heard of concessions for seniors on RENFE trains for passengers over 60 years old. You can buy the Tarjetas Dorada - Gold card which gives 25% off on fares on the weekday and 40% at the weekend. I believe it would also be valid for any potential travel partner too, but maybe someone else could advise whether it is better to book in advance or book on the day with the card (which costs €5 - show your passport to get one, it's available to tourists too)...

Robert2533

The Tarjetas Dorada are only good for the holder of the card. It can't be used for anyone else and the tickets have to be purchased in person at the ticket window.

It's a great card to use on some of the shorter runs that don't offer online discounts. The senior discounts are as noted above, but for a longer train ride, I'd look at purchasing a discounted ticket online if possible.

Walking part of the camino isn't a problem from either Burgos or Leon.

If you're traveling from Santiago to Toulouse to catch your flight, you can fly to Barcelona on Iberia for as little as €72 on some days and head up to Toulouse from there. If you want o head for the Pays Basque before going to Toulouse to catch your flight, you can fly into Bilbao for as low as €67, depending on the date, but the flight goes through Barcelona (9+hours). The only non-stop would be closer to €440.

The train from Santiago to San Sebastian-Donostia (one a day), takes nearly 11 hours, but the Preferente tickets is only about €66, a good change to use the Tarjetas Dorada. You can also take this train to Hendaye and continue on to Toulouse from there.

PalenQ

see the fares are expensive. Not sure if senior discounts are offered on public transportation?>

often 60 + gets discounts but often you have to buy some kind of Senior Card for a year or so and that cost may not be worth it for a few train rides - not sure about Spain.

But if you are traveling in France by train as well look into the France-Spain railpass, on which there could well be a senior discount - valid on all trains but you do need to pay $15 or so on many trains for a passholder fare - so you must be traveling more on trains in France or Spain. - But it is a long haul by train if you just want to go straight thru - for great rail info on trains in Spain and France check out these fantastic sites - http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id30.html; www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Cavangal

Thank you to all responders. The Tarjetas Dorada card would be good if it allowed 25% off. If I do this route by rail all the way to French border, is it a scenic route? I would make at least one overnight stop, but would that mean buying tickets for each leg of journey, or is a stopover ever allowed on same ticket? I realize its a long journey taking any route so will have to look carefully at best route. Might need to visit the Spanish tourist office in NYC to get their input.