Getting around on the Camino

Getting around on the Camino

by | Dec 1, 2017 | Camino de Santiago

Updated February 2026

 

Getting around on the Camino

When we think about the Camino de Santiago we think walking day after day, maybe cycling or even horse-riding.

What we don’t usually imagine is standing at a train station , waiting for a bus, or navigating an airport. And yet… trains, buses and planes are a very real (and very useful) part of our Caminos.

We’ll need transport at least 3 times:

  • To get to Spain, most likely by avión (plane).
  • To reach your starting point, the town where you will start your pilgrimage
  • To leave Santiago, once your Camino is finished..

And even during your Camino, you might skip a stage, for a number of reasons such as time constraints or an injury.

In those cases, you will probably use a tren (train), an autobús (bus) or even the occasional taxi, which is also conveniently called taxi in Spanish!).

 

Travelling by train

Trains are a very popular way to move around Spain, especially for long distance trips. With high-speed trains, you can travel between Madrid and Santiago in under 4 hours, which is not possible by bus.

So, let’s go to la estación de tren (you might find it also referred to as estación de ferrocarril, but estación de tren is more common).

  • Whether you are travelling by train, bus or plane, your ticket is called billete (by the way, we use the same word for banknotes; 2 meaning, 1 word!)
  • If you’re already at the station, you can buy your ticket at the taquilla (ticket office). But be aware that certain trains tend to sell out, so I would advise to buy them in advance. RENFE (Spain’s national train operator) usually releases tickets for same 4-6 weeks in advance, so don’t panic if you’re trying to buy tickets a few months ahead of time and you can’t find them. It’s too early.
  • Your billete can be de ida (one way) or de ida y vuelta (return). Before you get on your train, there’s certain information you need to find on your ticket; 2 numbers, to be precise: your car and your asiento (seat). Seats are numbered, so it’s easier to check before you sit down than having to move later on when someone is claiming their seat.
  • The information screens at the station will show the vía (track) where your train is stopping.

    Discounts for over 60s

    If you are travelling by train in Spain and you are over 60, you can get a Tarjeta Dorada (golden card). You can buy it at any train station and it will entitle you to discounts of up to 40% on the price of your tickets.

    The Tarjeta Dorada cannot be bought online. You need to buy it in person, as you’ll have to show your passport to prove your age.

    The price of the Tarjeta Dorada is €6, and it’s valid for 1 year.  It can be renewed online.

    Here’s the link to RENFE’s website with all the information about it (it’s in Spanish): http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/tarifas/tarjeta_dorada.html

     

    Travelling by bus

     

    The full name for a bus is autobús, but you can call it bus for short. That’s what most Spanish people do.

    The good news is that a lot of the bus-related vocabulary is the same as the train’s, but not all. So let’s have a look at the changes:

    • The estación de tren becomes estación de autobuses. However, buses don’t stop at stations only. In fact, there are no stations in most villages and smaller towns. In those cases, buses stop at paradas (de autobús), also known as bus stops in English. 
    • Tickets are still billetes and they can also be bought from a taquilla. In many cases (local buses in particular), you can buy your ticket directly from the conductor (false friend alert! Conductor is the driver, not the English conductor).
    • There are many bus companies in Spain. Some, like Alsa, are big and have even international routes (like between Santiago and Porto). If you’re using one of them, you’ll be able to buy your tickets online in advance. But there are also lots of much smaller, local companies. In those cases, buying your ticket in person, either at the station or from the driver, might be your only option.

     

    Travelling by plane

     

    You are very likely to travel by plane either to get to Spain and start your Camino, and to go back home after you have finished your pilgrimage.

    So, what do you need to know about Spanish aeropuertos (airports)? The good news: they are very traveller‑friendly, and all signage is also in English.

    • When you land in Spain you will be in the llegadas (arrivals) area of the airport. You should easily find your way out. Just follow the signs for the salida (exit). 
    • If you are starting your journey from a Spanish airport, you should go to the salidas (departures) area first. You can find both words, salidas and llegadas, in train and bus stations too, on the screens listing all the departures and arrivals.

     

    • If you have luggage to check-in, or need a tarjeta de embarque (boarding pass), look for the the facturación (check-in) counters, 

     

    • If you have your boarding pass and equipaje de mano (hand luggage) only, you can go through security and look for your puerta de embarque (boarding gate).

    Transport’s Spanish vocabulary

    Estación

    Tren

    Autobús

    Avión

    Billete

    Taquilla

    Asiento

    Aeropuerto

    Equipaje de mano

    For accommodation info and Spanish vocabulary, check Where to sleep on the Camino.

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     ¡Buen Camino!

    El botiquín

    El botiquín

    by | Nov 24, 2017 | backpack, health

    El botiquín |

    When you are packing your mochila you should leave some space for a small botiquín (first-aid kit). But what should it include? Of course, if you normally take any medications, make sure you pack enough of it, or find out if you can get it in Spain.

    As I mentioned in previous posts, it’s important to keep your mochila as light as possible. As one experienced pilgrim advised us last week:

    No “just in case” stuff. You can buy what you need in Spain.

    And where can you buy health related items? The most obvious answer is a farmacia. Here you can get medicines, with or without prescription, as well as a long list of other items for your personal care.

    The pharmacy sector is very regulated in Spain, which means you can’t just open a new farmacia anywhere you like. As a result, a few years ago a new type of business was created: the parafarmacia.

    Basically, in a parafarmacia you can find the same stuff as in a farmacia, except for medicines: they sell tiritas and Compeed, creams (sun protection and others), personal hygiene products: from jabón (soap), to shampoo, to pasta de dientes (toothpaste)…

    At times when shops are usually closed, such as late evenings and Sundays, there is always a farmacia de guardia (pharmacy on-call). All farmacias have to display a list of the farmacias de guardia in the area. The problem is that if you are in a small town, the nearest farmacia de guardia will probably be in the next town. Not very convenient!

    That’s why it is a good idea to always carry a few basic items with you.

    So, what should you carry in el botiquín?

     

    Pilgrim foot care

     

    Your pies (feet) are the most important part of your body when you are doing the Camino de Santiago and not looking after them properly can put an early end to your walk.

    Ampollas (blisters) are the most common problem that pilgrims face. We should do whatever we can to prevent them, but sometimes they are inevitable. In previous posts I discussed calzado (shoes) and calcetines (socks), as well as vaselina and tennis balls. I have also read an article recently saying that paper tape could be an effective and cheap way to prevent blisters.

     

    • If all of the above fails and you get ampollas, you will need aguja (needle) to drain the fluid (but don’t remove the skin!). Make sure your aguja is disinfected before you use it and that you also disinfect the area afterwards. Then you can cover it with tiritas or something similar.

     

    • Depending on the time of the year when you do your Camino de Santiago, you might also need protector solar or crema solar (sun protection cream).

     

    • Ibuprofeno is a Camino favourite is everyone’s botiquín. It works as an anti-inflammatory if you have any swelling, and as pain relief, too. And you can get it in different formats (gel, tablets and even powder to mix with water). As with any other drug, just make sure you check what the right dose is as well as the possible side effects and contraindications.

     

    So, what are you planning to include in el botiquín? Or, if you already have Camino experience, what did you take? Did you have to buy anything?

     

    Today’s words

    Farmacia

    Farmacia de guardia

    Parafarmacia

    Jabón

    Pasta de dientes

    Crema solar

    Pies

    Ampolla

    Aguja

    Ibuprofeno

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    ¡Buen Camino!

    Your packing advice

    Your packing advice

    by | Nov 17, 2017 | backpack

    Updated: January 2026

     

    What to pack in your backpack for the Camino de Santiago

     

    If you’re planning your Camino de Santiago, one of the most important decisions after choosing your route is what to take in your mochila (backpack).

    Unless you hire a luggage transfer service, you’ll be carrying your backpack for hours every day. That’s why it’s essential to pack only what you need. A general rule of thumb is to carry no more than 10% of your body weight.

    But what should you pack? Partily, it depends on your route, the season, and your personal needs, but there are some essentials every pilgrim should bring. I’ve asked other experienced pilgrims for advice and this is what they came up with:

    Clothing

    • Pantalones (trousers), camisetas (T-shirts), underwear, and calcetines (socks ), as well as a jacket and rain gear.

    • Quick-dry, lightweight clothing is best.

    • For spring or summer, a long-sleeve light shirt can protect against sun and chilly mornings.

    • Merino wool clothing is very popular among pilgrims: it dries quickly and doesn’t get smelly.

    Pilgrim advice: Don’t overpack clothes. Two changes of clothes are usually enough, plus one extra outfit for going out in towns or while doing laundry.

    Footwear

    Whether you choose hiking boots, shoes or sandals, don’t start your Camino with brand-new footwear. Break them in before your walk.

    Many pilgrims also bring sandals to let their feet rest in the evenings.

    Good socks are essential. Some prefer merino, other toe socks, or 2 pairs or socks… find out what works best for you.

    Other items

    • Toalla (towel): lightweight and quick-dry

    • Plasters/bandages: to prevent blisters and treat small injuries

    • Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant

    • Mobile phone: for communication, GPS, and photos

    Highly recommended by pilgrims

    The most popular item, by far, among the ladies is a pareo (sarong), as it serves multiple purposes: it can be used as a sheet or towel or worn as a skirt or dress while washing other clothes; it provides privacy around your bed, acts as a pillowcase or extra layer for warmth and protects against sun.

    Safety pins and earplugs are both small but essential.

     

    What should you not pack

    What people regretted the most was packing too much stuff. I love Beth’s piece of advice:

    Don’t take anything on the Camino you aren’t willing to leave behind to lighten your load. I left toiletries and clothing at every albergue for the first 10 nights. I walked with people who carried way too much weight but were unwilling to ditch their items. Not being attached allowed me the freedom to let go, lighten my burden, and walk free!

     

    Most pilgrims I asked said they packed too many clothes. A Swiss Army knife was another item that many pilgrims packed and didn’t use.

    Some took a guía (guidebook) and didn’t use it, but some others did use their guidebooks, so just think about it: do you think you will use it? Or can you manage without it?

     

    When in doubt, follow this pilgrim’s advice:

    No “just in case” stuff. You can buy what you need in Spain.

    In summary

     

    Pack light, prioritize essentials, protect your feet, and choose multipurpose clothing and items. A well-packed backpack will make your Camino more comfortable and enjoyable.

    Minimal, multipurpose items are better than heavy, single-use items.

    Buy or replace items as needed along the Camino instead of carrying extra weight from the start.

    Today’s Spanish words

    Mochila

    Pantalones

    Camiseta

    Calcetines

    Pareo

    Toalla

    Guía

    ¡Buen Camino!

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    La ropa

    La ropa

    by | Nov 3, 2017 | backpack

    In a previous post I discussed the things that you should pack in your mochila or backpack (you can read it here). On that occasion I only mentioned a few general items like ropa (clothes), calzado (shoes) or toiletries and promised to elaborate on the topic. So, this week it’s the turn of la ropa (clothes).

    So, what ropa should you take? As I said before, you shouldn’t pack too many items, unless you are planning to have your bag transported from one place to the next one: you will have to carry the weight, remember? And you can always do a bit of washing at the end of your walking day.

    Again, what ropa you take will differ slightly depending on the route you have chosen and the time of the year when you are doing the Camino de Santiago, but there are still some general recommendations you should follow!

    Two outfits are enough: The one you are wearing and another one for when you wash the first one. It might be a good idea to get technical clothing, made of improved fabrics that stay warmer, dry quicker, block the sun…

     

    La ropa

    • Camisetas (T-shirts). Dos (2) or tres (3) camisetas is enough, both short and long sleeve (this will also depend on what time of the year you are doing your Camino).

     

    • Pantalones (trousers). A couple of them. It might be a good idea to get one of those with a zip, that will convert into shorts when needed. Make sure they are comfortable and not itchy.

     

    • Calcetines (socks). Probably one of the most important clothes decision you will take: just think that you are going to walk for many hours every day, so you need to take good care of your feet.  Some people like to wear two pairs, some others wear one pair and change it half way through their daily walk… you should do what works for you. Just remember how important your feet are and make sure they stay dry.

     

    • Ropa interior (underwear). Again, two or three pairs is OK.

     

    • Chubasquero (rain jacket). Some people prefer to take a poncho that will cover themselves and their bag, some others prefer a waterproof jacket… there are many options, but some sort of raingear is advisable, especially if you are not doing the Camino in the summer (and even in the summer you can get wet days in the north of Spain).

     

    • Calzado (shoes): again, your choice will depend your route and the time of the year, but whether you choose trekking boots or shoes, make sure they are not new! If you need to buy a new pair of shoes, you should start wearing them at least three months before you start your Camino.

     

    • Apart from your walking shoes, you should also pack a pair of sandalias or chanclas (sandals, flip flops) to give your feet a rest after the walk. Chanclas are also very important to get into la ducha in albergues.

     

    If you already have experience doing the Camino de Santiago, I would love to hear your advice on things to pack, clothes and otherwise. What were the most useful things you took along? Did you get rid of anything along the way because it was not necessary and it only added weight to your backpack? I’d love to hear your stories! You can comment here or go to our Facebook group and leave a comment there.

     

     

    Today’s Spanish words

    Camiseta

    Pantalones

    Calcetines

    Ropa interior

    Chubasquero

    Sandalias

    Chanclas

    Dos

    Tres

    washing your clothes on the Camino

     

     

     

    For the pronunciation of ducha, check albergues.

     

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    ¡Buen Camino!

    Where to sleep on The Camino

    Where to sleep on The Camino

    by | Oct 13, 2017 | accommodation

    El albergue |

    Updated: January 2026

    Accommodation options

    One of the most common questions future pilgrims ask is: Where do you sleep on the Camino de Santiago?

    The good news is that the Camino offers a wide range of accommodation options. The best choice depends on your budget, your comfort level, and the type of Camino experience you’re looking for. You also don’t have to stick to just one type of accommodation for the entire route; mixing it up is completely normal.

    Let’s look at the main types of accommodation you’ll find on the Camino, starting with the most iconic one: el albergue.

     

    What is an albergue?

    In short, it’s a hostel, one of the types of accommodations you’ll find along the Camino de Santiago. Some albergues are designed specifically for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago. Some others are open to anyone, pilgrim or not.  

    There are public (municipal) and private albergues, and although they’re similar in style, there are a few important differences.

    Public municipal albergues are the most traditional and popular accommodation and, for many people, the heart of the Camino experience.They are especially designed for pilgrims, which means you need proof that you are a pilgrim if you are planning to stay in one of them. How do you do that?

    You must have a credencial with stamps.

    Other things you should know about albergues:

    • They do not take reservations. They operate on a first-come first-served basis, and this can be a problem during the busiest times of the year if you want to avoid the bed race.
    • Generally you can only stay for one night.
    • Pilgrims a pie have preference over those a caballo or en bici. 

    Private albergues are very similar but with one advantage: you can book in advance.

    What to expect when staying in an albergue

    Albergues are a basic type of accommodation.

    The prices per night range from €10 to €15 for the public, with the private albergues being a bit more expensive.

    There is also a small number of donativo albergues: you pay a voluntary donation. This doesn’t mean they’re free. They still need to cover their costs and they wouldn’t be able to exist without the donations.

    Like any hostel, albergues have:

    • Big dormitories with bunk beds.
    • Shared bathrooms, including a much welcome shower after a long day’s walk.

    Other important things to know:

    • You normally need a sleeping bag or liner.

    • Pillowcases are not always provided.

    That said, staying in albergues is one of the easiest ways to meet other pilgrims, share meals and stories and feel part of the Camino community.

    Services you might find in an albergue

    Facilities vary a lot, so it’s always worth checking a guide or app beforehand. Many albergues offer:

    • A washing machine or hand-washing area.

    • A kitchen for cooking your own meals. Just be aware that not all kitchens are fully equipped. 

    • Common areas for relaxing and socialising

    And let’s not forget the hospitaleros, the volunteers who run many albergues.

    They have walked the Camino de Santiago themselves. They take care of the place and will help you with information you may need about the route or the local area.

     

    Listen to this content in Spanish.

    Looking for the podcast transcripts? Click here to find them.

    Other accommodation options on the Camino

    Not everyone wants to stay in albergues every night, and that’s completely fine. So what are your options?

    Hostales and pensiones

    Hostales and pensiones are small, often family-run guesthouses. They usually offer private rooms, often private bathrooms too.

    They do have fewer services than a hotel, though. They’re cheaper too.

    Hotels

    In larger towns and cities along the Camino, you’ll also find hotels ranging from budget to high-end options.

    These are ideal if you need privacy, want to rest properly after several tough stages or simply feel like treating yourself for a night.

    Casas rurales

    Casas rurales are privately owned properties, usually old farmhouses or manors that have been refurbished. As the name suggests, they are located in rural settings. This means that they won’t always be available, especially if you are around bigger towns. You can just book one room, but if you are travelling with a group, you should know that many casas rurales give you the option of renting the whole house. 

     

    Paradores

    Chain of luxury hotels, managed by a state-run company. They are usually located in historic buildings such as castles or convents. In Santiago, for instance, you have the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, right beside the cathedral. It was built in the 16th century as a hospital that cared for the pilgrims arriving in Santiago de Compostela.

     

    The choice is all yours and, as I said before, you don’t have to stay in the same type of accommodation every night. Just be aware of all the possibilities available and decide which one is the best fit for you, based on your personal circumstances.

     

    Learn more a bout the word albergue with Beginners Spanish for the Camino Podcast:

    Escucha “2. Albergue” en Spreaker.

    Today’s Spanish for the Camino

    Albergue

    Hospitalero

    Hostal

    Pensión

    Hotel

    Casa rural

    Parador

    sleeping in an albergue

     

    For the pronunciation of credencial, a pie, a caballo and en bici check this other post.

     

    Read about Gary’s experience as an hospitalero.

     

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    ¡Buen Camino!