If youâre participating in the Camino de Santiago before visiting Barcelona, you will arrive in Santiago at the culmination of the pilgrimage and have over 620 miles (1000 km) to travel via. Bus, train, flight, or car to Barcelona.
Is there a bus from Santiago to Barcelona?
There are a few bus routes from Santiago to Barcelona, but the most direct option takes around 16 hours and is not cheap, most tickets will cost you $100-150. Itâs better to take a private car or fly.
Is Barcelona worth visiting?
Barcelona is absolutely worth seeing during your trip to Spain. This iconic city is one of the most visited globally for its incredible scenery, rich creative culture, modern adoption of trends, and buzzing nightlife. Plus there are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and over 20 Michelin-starred restaurants!
How do I get from Santiago to Barcelona?
The best way to get from Santiago to Barcelona is with a private car transfer, offering you convenient door-to-door service with the option to choose sightseeing stops along the 10.5-hour journey.
How long is it to drive from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona?
It takes about 10.5 hours to drive the 676 miles (1,088.2 km) from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona, and this travel time is significantly longer (16-18 hours) if done by bus.
Why is Barcelona different from the rest of Spain?
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, which has its own culture and language distinct from other parts of Spain. The Catalonian identity is on proud display in Barcelona, with Catalan being widely spoken, and festivals like Festa Major de GrĂ cia and La MercĂš celebrating its culture.
Overview: car trip from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona
The 10.5-hour drive from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona traverses a distance of over 620 miles (1000 km) across the entirety of Spain. It's a long journey, but with a private car transfer, you can sleep in the car and break up the time spent on the road with sightseeing stops for a once-in-a-lifetime car trip like no other.
There is a wealth of sights worth visiting between these destinations, and private transportation with Daytrip gives you the flexibility to prioritize stopping at the place you most want to see en route. Consider a tour of Burgos, with its impressive UNESCO-listed cathedral offering a glimpse of the cityâs medieval past. Or, stop in Lugo, the only city on Earth to still be surrounded by Roman walls.
Even without sightseeing stops, the drive carries you door-to-door as directly as possible with a friendly English-speaking driver who can offer some locally-informed guidance along the way. This is definitely the most comfortable way to tackle traveling this distance.
About Barcelona
After you complete the Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona transfer, you are greeted by one of Europeâs most vibrant cities. Barcelona is known for its Art Nouveau flair, like the UNESCO-listed Sagrada FamĂlia by GaudĂ, its quick adoption of modern trends, and its luxurious Mediterranean coastal atmosphere.
The colorful city draws travelers from all over the world for its seamless blend of old-world charm with bolder avant-garde displays of art, fashion, and architecture. It is often credited with being one of the most visited cities in the world- and for good reason.
Barcelonaâs appeal is incredibly diverse, the city is the centerpiece of Catalan culture in its cuisine and touchstones of the local traditions. The old town brings you back in time with 14th to 16th-century-style narrow streets, in remarkable contrast to the modern neighborhoods brimming with color.
There are also a range of museums and art galleries for those seeking insight into Spainâs creative history, including the Picasso Museum and the National Art Museum of Catalonia. For the fashionably minded, Barcelona is a globally renowned center for fashion trends and clothing design, and strolling around the various districts of the city will reveal an amalgamation of shops displaying trend-setting items right alongside traditional Spanish designs.
The cuisine of Barcelona matches this essence, offering a combination of traditional Catalan dishes and inventive recipes showcasing the latest innovations of the region.
Whether you are seeking leisurely days spent by the seafront or vivacious nightlife in some of Spainâs most famous bars and clubs, this lively city will leave you in awe.
From Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona: travel tips
Before you leave for your trip from Santiago to Barcelona, here are some travel tips that will ensure you have the safest and smoothest trip possible.
Prepare for the long journey
As this is a long-distance route, make sure to take anything you may need to feel comfortable with you. With Daytrip, your driver will do everything in their power to ensure you are safe and comfortable along the way, so communicate openly with them if you find yourself in need of additional food or restroom breaks. Also, consider comfort items such as neck pillows, headphones, additional snacks, and beverages for the long road trip ahead of you.
### Take advantage of stops
If youâd like to break up the 10.5-hour transportation time, sightseeing en route is a great way to do this. It will allow you to visit parts of Spain you'd miss by flying. You have multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites to choose from to turn this road trip into an unforgettable tour!
How to get from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona
There are quite a few different ways to get from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona, including a few combinations of buses, trains, and flights. The most convenient option for most people is to drive with a private car service, saving you the hassle of navigating public transit or lugging luggage between vehicles.
Trains from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona
There are a few train routes that will get you from Santiago to Barcelona, varying in length and price. First, there are no direct high-speed trains on this route, and the most direct route will take almost 13.5 hours, and tickets range from $100-150.
A much more popular and sensible route is to go via Madrid and transfer there at EstaciĂłn de Atocha CercanĂas to a second train that will deliver you to Barcelona. This route may not save you much money, as tickets range from $72-161, but it does take about half the time at 6.5 hours.
### Flight from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona
As with trains, there are a few options for flying between Santiago and Barcelona. There are direct flights, which take only about 4 hours but can cost as much as $250 one way. Other flights require you to first take a train to the airport in Vigo before catching your flight to Barcelona. Again, this route is faster at just over 5 hours, but it will cost between $50-240.
This doesn't include the extra time getting to and from the airport, or the 2 hours for check-in and security. After factoring these in, it's more like 7-8 hours of total travel time.
### Bus from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona
There is a bus route between Santiago and Barcelona that takes just over 16 hours and will cost between $100 and $150. This route is neither cheap nor the best in terms of speed, as you can cover the same distance by train or private transfer in much less time without spending significantly more.
### Private car transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona
A private car transfer is a little slower than flying at 10.5 hours but infinitely more comfortable and convenient. You get the most control over your itinerary and will ride door-to-door service with an English-speaking driver. No need to figure out how to get to a station or airport, or spend time waiting around. Youâll be picked up at your accommodation in Santiago de Compostela and dropped off at your accommodation in Barcelona.
Riding with Daytrip has two huge benefits. First, since it's a private car, you can sleep comfortably on the way if you need a nap. Second, you can stop for sightseeing to stretch your legs and experience some of the best sites in Spain. And we mean the best---5 of the 6 curated stops are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the 6th is on the tentative list!
Things to do when you get to Barcelona
After you travel from Santiago to Barcelona, you can choose from a range of activities in this buzzing city. In addition to the world-renowned shopping, days spent strolling by the seashore, and a diverse culinary scene, there are several fascinating cultural and historical sites to add to your list.
Basilica de la Sagrada Familia
The Basilica de la Sagrada Familia is a Roman Catholic minor basilica designed, like many of Barcelonaâs sights, by Antoni Gaudi. The church is an incredible feat of architecture and showcases elaborate artistry in every detail from its intricate statuettes to its spires and richly colored stained glass. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most emblematic monument in Barcelona, you can't miss it!
### Park GĂŒell
The incredible Park GĂŒell is another of Barcelona's UNESCO-listed Antoni Gaudi creations. The parkâs maze of colorful buildings, sculptures, and intricate mosaics has some of the most iconic in Barcelona and offers a magical day out for the whole family.
### Parc de la Ciutadella
This park is a sparkling oasis in the bustling city, just 10 minutes from the Gothic Quarter. With lush greenery and pristine reflection ponds, as well as a zoo, statutory, and series of museums, the Parc de la Ciutadella is a must-see for visitors to Barcelona. (Entry also happens to be free!)
### Picasso Museum
While in Barcelona, visiting the Picasso Museum will allow you to explore over 900 pieces of his work from the earliest sketches through to the cubist paintings that have become so recognizable today. While Picassoâs birthplace was in Malaga, Barcelona holds the most significant collection of his work.
### Casa BatllĂł
As with the other exuberant examples of Gaudiâs work, this unique residential building features an elaborate facade with marine motifs and a playful palette of blues, purples, pinks, and greens. Many consider this to be Gaudiâs masterpiece, and it certainly fits in with the vibrancy of Barcelona as a whole.
When is the best time to visit Barcelona?
As you plan your transfer from Santiago to Barcelona, there are a few considerations that will aid you in picking a time to visit. Barcelona is generally best to visit in the spring or autumn months when it's not as sweltering and there are fewer tourists. In particular, you may be able to find excellent accommodation and flight deals from September to December before the festive period begins.
When planning your trip, you should also consider the Camino de Santiago if that's not your reason for visiting Santiago de Compostela. The Camino is undertaken by hundreds of thousands of people every year, so Santiago can get packed and expensive. This can be tricky to plan around, as the different routes are more popular during different seasons and can draw crowds to Santiago (possibly affecting your trip). Generally, the most popular camino season is from May to October.
Visitez ces sites en chemin
Lugo
As the only city in the world to be surrounded by completely intact Roman walls, UNESCO-listed Lugoâs history and culture are sure to impress. Surrounded by HistoryÂ
Leon
This ancient city was the seat of Spanish Christianity, and its refined history culminates in its UNESCO-listed High Gothic Cathedral. High HistoryÂ
Burgos
Once the seat of the Crown of Castile, this medieval cityâs myriads of landmarks, including its UNESCO-listed Cathedral, will leave visitors in awe. The Catholic Capital of CastileÂ
Logrono
Located at an important crossing with the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and the much-disputed borders of the Iberian kingdoms, Logroño became one of the regionâs most important urban centres of the Middle Ages. At a CrossroadsÂ
Zaragoza
One of the birthplaces of Mudejar architecture, the city is still overflowing with examples of this distinct architectural style, earning it a place on the UNESCO list. Mudejar StarÂ
Poblet Monastery
This UNESCO-listed monastery is still active to this day, and over its long history has also served as a noble residence, royal tomb, and military stronghold. Majestically Multi-PurposeÂ
