How to Get to Galicia: A Complete Guide from Spain
Explore the Options to Travel to Galicia
Galicia, located in the northwest of Spain, is a region that combines breathtaking landscapes, a rich history, and vibrant culture. Reaching this magical destination is easier than it seems, thanks to a wide range of transportation options that connect this land with the rest of Spain.
In this guide, we present the main routes to travel to Galicia from key cities like Madrid, Andalusia, Valencia, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and Catalonia. We will also explore the most relevant international connections, whether by plane, train, or car. No matter where your journey begins, Galicia awaits with open arms to offer you an unforgettable experience.
Connections from Major Regions
Galicia is perfectly connected to the rest of Spain and abroad through an efficient transportation network. In this section, we will explore the main routes available from various key cities, detailing the options by plane, train, and car for each region.
1. From Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, is one of the best-connected points to Galicia. From here, you have several convenient and efficient options:
- Planes: Direct flights from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport connect to the three main airports in Galicia: Santiago de Compostela (SCQ), Vigo (VGO), and A Coruña (LCG). Airlines often offer multiple daily flights, with an average flight duration of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Trains: The AVE high-speed train service connects Madrid with several cities in Galicia quickly and comfortably:
- Ourense: You’ll arrive in approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. This city acts as a major railway hub in Galicia.
- Santiago de Compostela: The journey from Madrid takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.
- A Coruña: Direct connection from Madrid, with an estimated time of 3 hours and 33 minutes.
- Vigo: Although there is no direct AVE from Madrid, you can reach it by connecting in Ourense, with a total travel time of approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.
- Car: If you prefer driving, the A-6 motorway is the main route connecting Madrid with Galicia. The journey takes approximately 6 hours and allows you to enjoy the landscapes of northern Spain, with convenient access to tourist spots along the way.
Whether you choose to fly, take a fast train, or drive, Madrid is the ideal starting point to discover the magic of Galicia.
2. From Andalusia
Andalusia, located in the south of Spain, also has good connections to Galicia, although the distances are longer. The main options include:
- Planes: The cities of Seville and Málaga offer direct flights to Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ). These flights take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. From other Andalusian cities like Granada or Córdoba, flights with a stopover in Madrid are available.
- Trains: Although there are no direct AVE high-speed services between Andalusia and Galicia, you can travel from cities like Seville or Málaga to Madrid by AVE (around 2h 30min) and then take an AVE to Galicia. The fastest combination is usually to Santiago de Compostela or Ourense, with total travel times ranging from 6 to 7 hours.
- Car: Driving from Andalusia is an interesting option if you want to explore along the way. The main routes include:
- From Seville: Via the A-66 motorway (Ruta de la Plata), with an estimated travel time of 8 hours and 30 minutes.
- From Málaga: Via the A-92 and A-66 motorways, with an approximate duration of 9 hours.
From Andalusia, there are various options, but flying and combining train services are usually the fastest ways to reach Galicia.
3. From the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic, are connected to Galicia primarily by flights. This is the most practical and fastest option due to the distance between the two regions. Below are the main air connection options:
- Direct flights: The main airports of Gran Canaria (LPA), Tenerife North (TFN), and Tenerife South (TFS) offer direct flights to Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ). The average flight duration is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.
- Flights with stopovers: From other islands like Lanzarote or Fuerteventura, connections are usually made via stopovers in Madrid or other major Canary Islands airports, such as Gran Canaria or Tenerife.
Travelling from the Canary Islands to Galicia is quick and convenient thanks to the availability of direct flights and connecting options efficiently linking both regions.
4. From the Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands, known for their Mediterranean beauty, are connected to Galicia mainly by flights, which are the most practical and fastest way to travel between the two regions. The main options include:
- Direct flights: From Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI), there are direct flights to Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ), with an approximate duration of 1 hour and 55 minutes. Other islands, such as Ibiza and Menorca, usually require connections in Madrid or Barcelona.
- Flights with stopovers: If you’re travelling from Ibiza or Menorca, you can fly to Madrid or Barcelona and then take a direct flight to Santiago de Compostela or other Galician airports, such as A Coruña (LCG) or Vigo (VGO).
Air connections from the Balearic Islands to Galicia are convenient and fast, offering both direct flights and combinations with stopovers depending on the departure point.
5. From Valencia
Valencia, located on Spain’s eastern coast, offers multiple options to travel to Galicia. Below are the main connection options:
- Planes: From Valencia Airport (VLC), there are direct flights to Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ), with a duration of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. There are also flights with a stopover in Madrid to reach the airports of A Coruña (LCG) or Vigo (VGO).
- Trains: Although there is no direct AVE high-speed train connection between Valencia and Galicia, you can travel first to Madrid by AVE (approx. 1 hour and 50 minutes) and from there take another train to Ourense, Santiago de Compostela, or A Coruña. The total travel time is around 7 hours.
- Car: If you prefer driving, the main route from Valencia to Galicia is via the A-3 motorway to Madrid and from there taking the A-6 motorway. The estimated travel time is approximately 9 hours.
Connections from Valencia to Galicia are varied, with fast options by plane and comfortable alternatives by train or car.
6. From Catalonia
Catalonia, located in the northeast of Spain, has excellent connections to Galicia. The main options for this journey include:
- Planes: From Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), there are direct flights to Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ), with an approximate duration of 1 hour and 50 minutes. You can also find flights with stopovers to the airports of A Coruña (LCG) or Vigo (VGO). From smaller airports such as Girona or Reus, connections often involve a stopover in Barcelona or Madrid.
- Trains: There are no direct AVE high-speed trains between Catalonia and Galicia, but you can travel from Barcelona to Madrid by AVE (approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes) and then take a train to Ourense, Santiago de Compostela, or A Coruña. The total combined travel time is around 9 hours.
- Car: For those who prefer driving, the usual route includes taking the AP-2 motorway to Zaragoza, continuing via the A-2 motorway to Madrid, and finally connecting to the A-6 motorway to Galicia. The estimated travel time is approximately 11 hours.
Connections from Catalonia to Galicia are varied, with fast options by plane and more flexible alternatives by train or car, ideal for those who wish to enjoy the journey.
Discover the Magic of Galicia
Galicia is not just a destination; it’s an experience that combines unique landscapes, a rich history, and unparalleled culture. Thanks to its excellent connections from all over Spain, reaching this magical land is easier than ever.
Whether you choose to fly, take a train, or drive, every route to Galicia has its charm and offers an opportunity to enjoy the journey. From north to south, from east to west, Galicia is waiting to offer you its hospitality, gastronomy, and natural beauty.
Start planning your trip and enjoy an unforgettable experience in Galicia!
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