Santiago de Compostela Airport to Louro: 2027 Guide

Santiago de Compostela airport: which flights go there?

SCQ is a small, easy airport east of the city, about 20–45 minutes from the centre by bus. Its route map changes a lot between winter and summer. Aena's current (winter) list shows 17 destinations served by six airlines, and several international seasonal routes are added in summer.

Direct flights from the UK, Ireland and Europe

The summer 2027 schedule wasn't fully published when we went to press, so check your route with the airline and on Aena's destinations page. For KLM, the 2026 season was the route's first. Whether it returns in 2027, and on which dates, is up to KLM.

Connecting flights

From Scandinavia, Belgium, Austria or other places without a direct flight, you'll usually connect:

• Via Madrid with Iberia, which flies Madrid–Santiago year-round.
• Via Barcelona with Vueling's large European network.
• Via Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Zurich in summer with KLM, Lufthansa or Edelweiss.

Tip: book connections on a single ticket. If you miss the second flight, the airline has to rebook you. With two separate budget tickets, the risk is all yours.

Alternative airports: A Coruña, Vigo and Porto

Porto is tempting because of cheap fares, but do the maths. You'll need a coach from Porto to Santiago (ALSA and FlixBus both run the route to Santiago's Intermodal station), then another Monbus to the coast. That's an extra half-day and extra money. For more on finding cheap flights and trains, see cheap travel for students in Europe.

From Santiago airport to Louro: all your options

Option 1: Semesterkur shuttle or car share

If you've booked the Semesterkur surf week, the plan is simple: fly into Santiago de Compostela (SCQ), and from there it's about one hour to Louro by shuttle or car share. Your travel documents will tell you which option, meeting point and time apply to your dates, so ideally book your flight once you have that information. Questions? Call +49 30 588 49 210 or message the team on WhatsApp.

Option 2: bus 6A to the Intermodal station, then Monbus

This is the cheapest way. Step by step:

1. Leave the arrivals hall and follow signs to the bus stop.
2. Take Tussa bus 6A (operated by Tralusa) towards "Estación Intermodal". Tussa's timetable shows two versions: a non-stop shuttle ("lanzadera directa", approx. 20–30 minutes) and a stopping service via San Lázaro and Praza de Galicia (about 45 minutes). Between them they run roughly every 20–30 minutes from about 06:30 until after midnight.
3. Get off at the Estación Intermodal (Rúa Clara Campoamor), where the railway and coach stations sit side by side. The coach station has left-luggage lockers and a café.
4. Catch a Monbus coach to Muros, or one running Muros–Cee/Fisterra. On the Galician government's network these routes are numbered "XG817". The journey takes approx. 1.5–2 hours depending on the route. Services continuing past Muros towards Cee or Fisterra stop at "Louro". If your bus terminates in Muros, the last 7 km is a short taxi ride.
5. Buy your ticket online with Monbus, at the counter or from the driver. Monbus offers a youth fare for ages 12–25.

Important: according to Monbus and booking portals, there are roughly 8–10 weekday coaches from Santiago to Muros, with the last one leaving late evening. Weekends and public holidays have fewer, and only a handful of services stop in Louro itself. Check your coach on bus.gal or monbus.es before you fly.

Option 3: car hire

Several rental firms have desks at SCQ. The route runs via Santiago and the AC-543 to Noia, then along the ría through Muros to Louro: about 85 km and roughly 1–1.5 hours depending on traffic. Remember that Spain drives on the right, which is worth a thought if you're used to UK or Irish roads.

Is it worth it? Usually not for one person, but often yes for three or four. You skip the changes and can explore Carnota, Ézaro or Fisterra during the week. Watch out for:

• Minimum age and young-driver fees: many firms require drivers to be at least 21 and add a surcharge under 25. Check before you book.
• Credit card in the driver's name. Debit cards are often refused for the deposit.
• "Full to full" fuel policy, to avoid expensive refuelling charges.
• Narrow coast roads: roads around Muros are winding and busy with cyclists and pedestrians in summer.

Option 4: taxi

There's a permanent taxi rank at the airport. For the full trip to Louro (about 85 km), expect very roughly €100–150. That's an estimate, so ask for a fixed price before you get in. Split four ways late at night, when buses have stopped, it can still be the best option. Usually cheaper: bus 6A into town, Monbus to Muros, then a taxi for the last few kilometres.

Comparison: what does the transfer cost?

Bus and taxi figures are estimates based on current fares. Hire-car prices vary hugely by season and booking date.

Can you get there by train?

You can reach Santiago without flying, but it's a long journey. The Madrid–Galicia high-speed line is complete: AVE and Avlo trains run several times a day from Madrid-Chamartín to Santiago in about 3–3.5 hours. From London you'd first need Eurostar to Paris and onward trains to Madrid via Barcelona, so allow at least two travel days.

A smarter combination for many people is a cheap flight to Madrid, then the Avlo to Santiago. Trains arrive at the Estación Intermodal, right next to the coach station, so you can walk straight across to the Monbus.

Sample timeline: your arrival day

A realistic public-transport arrival from London (all times approximate):

If you're connecting via Madrid or Barcelona, everything shifts by two to four hours. If you land in the evening, check that a Monbus is still running. If not, a night in a Santiago hostel is often cheaper than a taxi, and you can head to the coast in the morning.

Surfboard and luggage: what do you need to know?

Do you even need your own board?

Not for a beginner course. The Semesterkur surf course with Abel Lago Watersports includes a board and wetsuit. Bringing your own board only makes sense if you're already riding green waves and want a specific shape. Which size suits you is covered in our beginner surfboard size guide.

Flying with a board

• Ryanair: surfboards count as a "large sports item". According to Ryanair's fee table, that costs €/£60 per one-way flight when booked, €/£70 if added later, up to 20 kg.
• Other airlines set their own sports-luggage and length limits. Check before booking, because on connections the strictest rule often applies.
• Use a padded board bag, remove the fins and pack them separately, and scrape off the wax.
• Onward transfer: a long board is awkward on a Monbus coach. Ask Monbus or the driver whether bulky items are accepted. With a hire car you'll need roof racks or a big vehicle.

Hand luggage only?

Swimwear, sun cream (100 ml or solid), a waterproof, a warm jumper and flip-flops cover the basics. The full list is in our surf trip packing list. EU travellers should carry an EHIC, and UK travellers a GHIC. Travel insurance is recommended on top.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Taking bus 6 instead of 6A: line 6 only goes as far as San Marcos, not the airport.
2. Missing the last Monbus: allow for late landings and delays, and have a plan B (a hostel in Santiago or a taxi).
3. Underestimating Sunday timetables: far fewer coaches run to the coast at weekends and on public holidays.
4. Treating Porto as a shortcut: cheap flight, but a long and costly onward journey.
5. Searching "Finisterre" instead of "Fisterra": timetables usually use the Galician names.

What's waiting when you arrive?

Once you're in Louro, the ría is right outside. For ideas on free afternoons in Muros, along the Costa da Morte or in Santiago, read our Galicia travel guide. How the camp week works is covered in Surf camp Galicia: Louro. If you're still deciding whether Galicia is the right surf destination, see surfing in Galicia.

Sources

• Aena: Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport, arriving by bus
• Aena: destinations from Santiago
• Tussa: line 6A airport – Estación Intermodal (timetable PDF)
• Xunta de Galicia: XG817 coach timetables (bus.gal)
• Monbus: Muros
• KLM: new Amsterdam–Santiago route
• Ryanair: table of fees

Last checked: November 2026. Summer 2027 flight schedules and coach timetables can change, so check before you book.

Ready for the waves? Dates and details for the Louro surf week are on our Galicia surf trips page, and common questions are answered in the surf FAQ. Please note that the booking pages and FAQ are in German.