As a World Heritage City and final stop on the Way of Saint James, Santiago de Compostela and its renowned cathedral have been welcoming pilgrims for over a thousand years. This magical and quaint city is also home to a 500 year-old university and to the oldest hotel in Spain (Hostal dos Reis Católicos). Above all, it is a city full of green spaces, with Alameda Park as the jewel in the crown.

Located in the northwest of Spain, Santiago de Compostela is well-connected and can be easily accessed by plane, train or coach, with direct flights from major European cities, including London, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, Dublin, Milan, or Zurich, and many more connections via Madrid or Barcelona. The airports of A Coruña (Alvedro), Vigo (Peinador), and Porto (Francisco Sá Carneiro) are only a stone’s throw from Santiago de Compostela and may also be convenient options. In addition, there is a high-speed train which reaches our city from Madrid in 3 hours.

 

Getting to Santiago by train
There are several direct trains which daily connect Santiago de Compostela with Madrid, Barcelona and Vitoria Gasteiz. With a connection in Madrid or Ourense, you will also be able to reach Santiago from many other Spanish cities (e.g. Alicante, Córdoba, Sevilla, Toledo, Valladolid, or Zaragoza). If you arrive from Porto (Portugal), you will have to change trains at Vigo train station. Trains are operated by Renfe, the national railway company. You may consult their website for further information on timetables and fares.

 

Getting to Santiago by coach
If you landed at Madrid (Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas) or Porto (Francisco Sá Carneiro) airport, you could also reach Santiago by coach. The journey from Madrid airport takes approximately 9 hours (Alsa is the company which provides the service) and 3 hours and 30 minutes from Porto Airport (Alsa or Flixbus). In addition, Flixbus and Alsa connect Santiago with major European cities, such as Berlin, Lisbon, Milan, Paris, or Prague. You may consult their websites for information on timetables and fares.

 

Getting to Santiago by plane
If you fly to Santiago de Compostela’s Airport (Santiago-Rosalía de Castro), the most convenient option to reach the town centre is by bus (service 6A connects the airport directly with the train station). You may also take a taxi to the city centre, which will cost you approximately 23 euros.

 

Getting to Santiago on foot or by bike
The Way of Saint James is the most ancient route on the continent and the tomb of Saint James the Greater has been receiving pilgrims since the 9th century. There are many ways, among them the French Way, the Silver Way, the Primitive Way, or the Northern Way, but there is just one destination: Santiago de Compostela, which receives over 300,000 pilgrims every year. For further information on the Way of Saint James (Camiño de Santiago), please refer to the official website.

 

Getting around in Santiago
Santiago de Compostela is a highly walkable city. Obradoiro Square, the most iconic square in town, is just a 20-minute walk from the conference venue, the Faculty of Philology. If you prefer to use public transport to reach the venue from the town centre or the train/coach station, you will need to take the bus: services 15, 5 or C2 stop just behind the Faculty of Philology. A one-way ticket costs 1 €, and there are bus passes with 10, 20, or 30 trips.

 

Accommodation
Santiago de Compostela offers a wide range of accommodations for all budgets, including 5-star hotels, apartments, youth hostels, and university student halls. Additional information will be provided soon. In the meantime, please visit the accommodation website run by the Santiago de Compostela’s Tourist Information Office to find out about different accommodation options.