Train from La Coruna to Santiago de Compostela

[COYS24]

We are thinking of making our own way from La Coruna to Santiago de Compostela. Rather than going on the ship's official tour, we may take the train, which we are told is quite easy, and much cheaper and quicker. Any advice please ? 

[Host Kat]

9 hours ago, COYS24 said:

We are thinking of making our own way from La Coruna to Santiago de Compostela. Rather than going on the ship's official tour, we may take the train, which we are told is quite easy, and much cheaper and quicker. Any advice please ? 

 

Howdy @COYS24 

 

Thank you for your new thread on the Ask a Cruise Question forum. However, it is the forum for general questions regarding cruising and your thread is off topic there. 

 

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[yvette3339]

We were thinking about taking the train in La Coruna to Santiago de Compostela. It appears very much a possibility.  Rail Europe https://www.raileurope.com/en-us/destinations/a-coruna-santiago-de-compostela-train has direct trains between the cities for about 15 Euros. The train runs about every 30 to 45 minutes throughout the day.   Tickets can be purchased online and popular times sell out.  The transit station in La Coruna is located at Av. Ferrocarril, 2, 15007 A Coruña, Spain. 

[bclub]

How far from the cruise port to train station. Walk, taxi?

[Hlitner]

On 8/27/2022 at 1:27 PM, bclub said:

How far from the cruise port to train station. Walk, taxi?

A little over a mile.  

[bclub]

Thanx, that's, walkable.

[amyj23]

On 8/28/2022 at 7:58 PM, Hlitner said:

A little over a mile.  

Did you do it? If so, can you give some details? Did you walk to the train station or take a taxi/Uber from the port? How long did you spend in Santiago de Compostela? We were going to try the earliest train possible (our ship arrives at 7am) and aim to be back to La Coruna by about 2:30pm to give us plenty of cushion to get back on board by 3:30pm.

[Hlitner]

9 hours ago, amyj23 said:

Did you do it? If so, can you give some details? Did you walk to the train station or take a taxi/Uber from the port? How long did you spend in Santiago de Compostela? We were going to try the earliest train possible (our ship arrives at 7am) and aim to be back to La Coruna by about 2:30pm to give us plenty of cushion to get back on board by 3:30pm.

Yes, I walked from the ship to the train station, but walking is what I do and even 10 miles is not a big deal (other than the time).   I recall that day, quite well, because DW was not feeling well and I did that day trip by myself.  Once in Santiago, I walked through the town, park, and visited the Cathedral, stopped for lunch at an outdoor cafe, and returned to La Caruna in mid afternoon.

 

With your truncated port day, you would want to get going as soon as the ship was cleared.  With some luck, you should be able to get to Santiago by 9 or 9:30 (assuming you do not have a long wait for the next train) which gives you enough time to explore the Cathedral and surrounding area.   If you could get a taxi to run you over to the station in La Caruna, it would save you some time, but like in most ports, the taxis will be reluctant to take the short haul fares.  

 

 

Hank

 

[alserrod]

Hi

 

Some points I have read

 

- there's no Uber in not very big cities in Spain. Otherwise, Cabify (another company that works like Uber) has major presence but far away from being in all cities

- a taxi driver cannot refuse you because your destination. If you had booked by phone they have already accepted you (you start paying since phone is received, not since you grab the taxi, so you are a customer before getting into the taxi)

- you can (you must indeed) book a seat for a train even if it is a regional train. So, with the tickets in the mobile, you will save all queues (and it is the same price)

 

And it is possible to check official taxi fares in La Coruña municipality webpage (or Santiago municipality or....)

 

[amyj23]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

Yes, I walked from the ship to the train station, but walking is what I do and even 10 miles is not a big deal (other than the time).   I recall that day, quite well, because DW was not feeling well and I did that day trip by myself.  Once in Santiago, I walked through the town, park, and visited the Cathedral, stopped for lunch at an outdoor cafe, and returned to La Caruna in mid afternoon.

 

With your truncated port day, you would want to get going as soon as the ship was cleared.  With some luck, you should be able to get to Santiago by 9 or 9:30 (assuming you do not have a long wait for the next train) which gives you enough time to explore the Cathedral and surrounding area.   If you could get a taxi to run you over to the station in La Caruna, it would save you some time, but like in most ports, the taxis will be reluctant to take the short haul fares.  

 

 

Hank

 

Thanks so much for your fast reply!

Yes, we would definitely get off the ship as soon as we’re allowed and I’d planned on Uber or taxi to save time. I’m hoping if we buy a return ticket for the train we can take any train coming back so there’s flexibility… I’m sure it’s just a more expensive fare. I’m a Rick Steve’s junkie so I’ll use his suggestions of things to see but obviously go to the cathedral. I really wanted to sneak a lunch in so we get some good seafood and try some local food and beer! It will be a fast tour of the town but I’ll be excited to be able to sneak it in. Based on your trip, I think it can be done! The ship has a tour and it’s almost $200 each. Ridiculous. And I think it’s over an hour away by car/bus. I appreciate your insight!

[marazul]

49 minutes ago, amyj23 said:

I really wanted to sneak a lunch in so we get some good seafood and try some local food and beer! 

This is your chance to try percebes (ugly, but delicious). Also, pulpo a la gallega. The local beer is Estrella. The local wines are albariños. You are in Galicia, go for it.

[amyj23]

58 minutes ago, marazul said:

This is your chance to try percebes (ugly, but delicious). Also, pulpo a la gallega. The local beer is Estrella. The local wines are albariños. You are in Galicia, go for it.

Gracias, Marazul! I saw the percebes on a YouTube video last night. It freaked me out 😆  I will write all these down so we know what to try!