Are you planning a pilgrimage to Camino de Santiago? If so, one of the first questions that might come to your mind is how far it is from Madrid.
Well, the answer is not straightforward as there are a few different routes you can take. Let’s take a look at the distances and travel options.
The Camino Routes and Distances
The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of Saint James, is a network of ancient pilgrim routes that lead to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwestern Spain. There are several routes that pilgrims can take, but here are some of the most popular ones:
The French Way (Camino Francés)
The French Way is by far the most popular route and covers a distance of around 780 kilometers (485 miles) from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago de Compostela. If you’re starting from Madrid, you’ll need to first travel to Pamplona or Logroño, which are both on the French Way.
- Madrid to Pamplona: around 400 kilometers (250 miles) by car or bus.
- Madrid to Logroño: around 150 kilometers (93 miles) by car or bus.
The Northern Way (Camino del Norte)
The Northern Way follows Spain’s northern coast and covers a distance of around 825 kilometers (513 miles) from Irun in Basque Country to Santiago de Compostela. If you’re starting from Madrid, you’ll need to first travel to Bilbao or Santander, which are both on the Northern Way.
- Madrid to Bilbao: around 400 kilometers (250 miles) by car or bus.
- Madrid to Santander: around 430 kilometers (267 miles) by car or bus.
The Silver Way (Camino de la Plata)
The Silver Way is the longest Camino route and covers a distance of around 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from Seville in southern Spain to Santiago de Compostela. If you’re starting from Madrid, you’ll need to first travel to Mérida or Zamora, which are both on the Silver Way.
- Madrid to Mérida: around 335 kilometers (208 miles) by car or bus.
- Madrid to Zamora: around 250 kilometers (155 miles) by car or bus.
Travel Options
Now that you know the distances between Madrid and some of the major Camino starting points, let’s take a look at some of your travel options.
By Car
If you’re planning on driving, you can rent a car in Madrid and drive to your starting point. Keep in mind that parking can be difficult in some of the smaller towns along the Camino routes.
By Bus
There are several bus companies that operate routes between Madrid and the major Camino starting points. Some of the most popular ones include Alsa, Avanza, and Socibus. Keep in mind that bus schedules can be limited and may not always align with your preferred travel dates.
By Train
Trains are a convenient option if you’re traveling from Madrid to one of the larger cities along the Camino routes such as Pamplona, Bilbao, or Santander. You can book train tickets through Renfe, Spain’s national railway company.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the distance between Madrid and Camino de Santiago depends on which route you choose to take. The French Way, Northern Way, and Silver Way are some of the most popular routes, and each has different starting points that are accessible by car, bus, or train. Regardless of which route you choose, the journey is sure to be a memorable one.