Getting around
Getting around Santiago
Santiago's old town is small, walkable, and largely pedestrian, so most of a visit happens on foot. City buses, taxis, and the airport bus cover the longer hops, and a car is more hindrance than help inside the historic center.
On foot in the old town
The historic center around the cathedral is compact and mostly pedestrian, with stone streets that reward walking and discourage driving. Almost everything a first visit wants, from the cathedral to the squares, markets, and restaurants, is within a short stroll.
After a long Camino your feet may have other ideas, so pace the first day gently and keep distances short. The old town is best taken slowly anyway.
Buses and taxis
City buses connect the old town with the train and bus stations, the airport, and the outer neighborhoods, which is useful if your accommodation is beyond the center or you have heavy bags. Taxis are easy to find and run on short, reasonable fares within the city.
For the airport, the dedicated airport bus is the simplest fixed-price option, with taxis as the quicker door-to-door alternative. Confirm current routes and times with the local operator before relying on a specific connection.
Why you do not need a car
A car is a liability in the historic center: much of it is pedestrianized or restricted, parking is limited, and the streets are narrow and steep in places. For a Santiago city stay you simply do not need one.
A car only earns its place if you plan to explore the wider Galician coast and countryside afterward. For the city itself, walking plus the occasional bus or taxi is all it takes.
Sources
Reviewed source trail
- Santiago de Compostela Tourism — getting around — checked 2026-06-17
- Aena — Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) — checked 2026-06-17