Question about public transport in northern Spain

[Matty]

Hi,

I am planning a weeks holiday in the north of Spain March. My plan is to spend a few days in Galicia, a few in the middle around Bilbao and the head across to Barcelona for the last couple of days.

My problem is the journey time from Galicia, I have looked at trains (www.renfe.es (http://www.renfe.es)) and buses (www.alsa.es (http://www.alsa.es)) but they seem to take about 12 hours between Galicia and the Basque Country. On the map it doesn't look that far so I'm hoping someone knows of a quicker route by public transport.

My dream itinerary is something like
1 Santiago de Compostella and nearby 2 days
2 Travel 1/2 day
3 Bilbao and Picos de Europa 2 1/2 days
4 overnight train from Bilbao
5 Barcelona 2 days

Unfortunately based on the available info I would need at least a full day to travel from Santiago to Bilbao, which I'd prefer to avoid with limited time.

Matt

PS Yes I know it's rushed anyway but I like to pack lots in.

[ribeirasacra]

We have recently done a similar research request for some clients. Unfortunately you have hit on the correct answer. The train does take quite some time, but as Spain is a relatively large country the kilometres you travel is great too.

[djS]

Traveling around Spain can be fun . Sometimes fast but also Slow
try loacl bus companys and why not fly aswell

It tock me 6 hours to get to Soria when it should be 3 hours By train
Travel by bus to Barca it tock 12 hours From Soria


jurdy

[Damian Corrigan]

The Society of International Railway Travelers recently voted the transcantabrico route one of the six best train routes in Europe and as one of the 20 best routes in the world, so it should at least be picturesque.

Twelve hours doesn't surprise me in the slightest. It's 600km of very mountainous terrain.

But you have "picos de Europa" and "Bilbao" as one entry on your itinerary. The picos de europa are half way between Bilbao and Santiago, so you should stop half way rather than go all the way to Bilbao. You really want to get to Covadonga (best base for the Picos), but you'll probably have to stop at Oviedo to get there. And then I have no idea how you'd get from Covadonga to Bilbao, you'd probably need to go by bus to Santander and then another bus to Bilbao.


Damian

[sandy]

12 hours from Galicia to the Basque Country (I assume it's Vizcaya you are talking about) is not really that unreasonable for traveling in a bus in Spain. It is very far! You are certainly trying to pack a lot in. 2 1/2 days for Bilbao and Picos de Europa seem so little to me. San Sebastian is also worth a visit, which will take a day if you go from Bilbao.

Anyway, have fun while you are here.

sandy
-----------
www.excelwines.com (http://www.excelwines.com)

[eLiNe]

Hi, I agree with Sandy. Maybe it is too much to pack in to the few days you are traveling.
I have traveled in the north by car, which will save you some time. But I think even with a car, it will be to much traveling for those few days.
As I remember it takes at least 8 hours by car on the high way to get from Santiago DC to Bilbao.

But a good tip could be to go from Bilbao to San Sebastian. The bus only takes about 40- 50 minutes from Bilbao, and the time table is good, as the buses go all the time.
And I would really recomend San Sebastian, one of my favorite places in Spain. Since it is a "small" city, you will be able to discover more things in a small amount of time. For example compared to Bilbao. To really see Bilbao, the suburbs, and small towns sorrunding it, the harbours, the beaches etc. you need some time.

Hope this wasn`t too negative :) The north of Spain is a good choice :)

[TotallyKen]

Matt,

Unfortunately you are trying to pack too much into one week. If you were travelling by car it would be difficult but on public transport, you will be absolutely wrecked.

If you have already booked your flights and have to fly into Santiago and out of Barcelona then I would spend 2 nights in Santiago. Then take a coach directly to Bilbao (see www.movelia.es (http://www.movelia.es) for coach operators). While there try and squeeze a daytrip into San Sebastian, which is served by a regular coach from Bilbao. I would then fly to Barcelona from Billbao. The drive is not worth it scenically and you will waste 8 hours or so. Several low-cost carriers fly between Bilbao and Barcelona. Check www.vueling.es (http://www.vueling.es) , www.spanair.com (http://www.spanair.com) and also look at www.iberia.es (http://www.iberia.es)

Good luck.

Ken