My two favorite people and i are flying into Santiago on the 5th of April and have until the 11th when we are flying out of Lisbon and we need some help...
we are young and don't plan things but we really want to get the most out of our little week... our main goal is to see the beautiful coast, eat at a few good places and spend as little money as possible. If anyone has any recomendations... or a car we can rent :) or suggestions as to how exactly to travel (ex. if the public bus would work...)
we really have no idea what we're doing. we just had a week off school and wanted to travel. so we're winging it i guess...
thank you for any advice.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
About the only way you'll be able to do that is by bus or bus/train combo. The Spanish firm ALSA runs one bus/day, leaving around 10 am and arriving at around 6 pm, so it's a long journey (about 350 miles). You may want to take a bus to Porto first, then switch to a train, but the overall savings in time is likely to be more than wiped out, when taking into account transferring to the train station and waiting for the train to depart. Bus fare is 50 Euro pp one way. Renting a car will see you hit with a massive drop-off charge for renting in 1 country and leaving it in another.
Posted by
Atlanta
3262 posts
Hi Kathlena,
You will love spending time in Santiago! It's such a fun and beautiful city. Here's a link to the bus system which may be your best option: Bus Schedule
When you're making plans note that there may be an hour time difference between Spain and Portugal.
Enjoy your spring break!
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Sharon's correct....you WILL find an hour's time difference between Spain and Portugal....you'll lose an hour (jump ahead an hour) when you cross the border.
Posted by
Everett, WA
17 posts
You'll have a great time! Santiago is wonderful. In Portugal, it is usually easier to travel by bus than by train. You can easily take a bus from Santiago to Lisbon. You might want to stop for a day in Porto in Northern Portugal.
Posted by
San Francisco, California, USA
446 posts
Many years ago, I took the train from Santiago to Lisbon, with an overnight stop in Porto. I enjoyed it. But, I'm a train buff and never takes buses unless forced to!
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Unfortunately, no train that makes that entire journey now.