How to Get to Tui: A Guide to Starting the Camino Portugués
Why start the Camino Portugués in Tui
Tui is the gateway of the Camino Portugués into Spain. The town sits on the Galician bank of the Miño River, right on the border with Portugal, crowned by its fortress-cathedral on the hilltop. From here to the Cathedral of Santiago it is about 110 km (68 miles) — just over the 100 km minimum you need to walk to earn the Compostela.
That is why Tui is the most popular starting point on the Camino Portugués for anyone with a week of vacation. Here is how to get to Tui, with approximate travel times.
Our Self-Guided Package from Tui
Tui or Valença? The bridge between two countries
Across the Miño, already in Portugal, is Valença with its fortress. The two towns are linked by the International Bridge, which you can cross on foot: from Valença’s old town to Tui it is about a 25-minute walk. So, for trip planning, getting to Valença is practically the same as getting to Tui.
- Valença train station (Portuguese side): about 3 km (2 miles) from central Tui.
- Guillarei station (Spanish side, in the municipality of Tui): about 4 km (2.5 miles) from the center.
- From either one, it is a short walk or taxi ride.
“In Tui, the Camino begins with a step that crosses a border.”
From the US to Tui: which airport to choose
- Porto (Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport): about 120 km (75 miles) from Tui, with trains and buses to Valença. Some US cities have nonstop flights to Porto, especially in season; otherwise connect through Lisbon or another European hub.
- Lisbon: several US cities have nonstop flights to Lisbon. From there, take the train to Porto and continue to Valença.
- Vigo (Peinador Airport): the closest, about 30 km (19 miles) from Tui, reachable with a connection through Madrid or Barcelona.
- Santiago de Compostela (Rosalía de Castro Airport): about 110 km (68 miles) from Tui, with connections through Madrid, Lisbon, or other European hubs.
Most flights from the US are overnight. If you are tired, spend a night in Porto — a wonderful city to start your trip.
How to get to Tui from Porto
- Train (CP – Comboios de Portugal): several trains a day from Campanhã or São Bento stations to Valença, taking about 2 to 3 hours depending on the train. From Valença, walk across the bridge or take a taxi to Tui.
- Bus: companies such as ALSA and AUTNA connect Porto with Valença and Tui in about 1.5 to 2 hours. Fares are usually cheaper when booked early.
- Car, taxi, or private transfer: about 120 km (75 miles), roughly 1.5 hours on the A3 highway to the border.
How to get to Tui from Vigo
- From the airport to downtown Vigo: the city bus (Vitrasa) takes you to the Vigo Intermodal Station; there are fewer departures on weekends.
- Bus to Tui: buses with a stop in Tui leave the Intermodal Station throughout the day (fewer on Sundays). ALSA and AUTNA also run nonstop Vigo–Valença in about 25 minutes.
- Train: there is a line to Guillarei, but with few departures — the bus is usually more practical.
- Taxi: about 30 minutes from Vigo airport to Tui.
How to get to Tui from Santiago de Compostela
- Bus: ALSA runs direct buses from Santiago to Valença at certain times of day; you can also go with Monbus, changing in Pontevedra.
- Train + bus: Renfe trains connect Santiago and Vigo in about an hour, with several departures a day; from Vigo, continue by bus or taxi.
- Car, taxi, or private transfer: about 110 km (68 miles), just over an hour on the AP-9.
How to get to Tui from Madrid
- Plane: the Madrid–Vigo flight takes about an hour; from Vigo airport, continue as described above.
- Train (Renfe): take the high-speed train to Ourense and change to a regional train to Guillarei or Vigo.
- Bus: ALSA connects Madrid and Vigo; from there, continue to Tui.
Want to start in Tui? Explore our package
The Camino Tui to Santiago de Compostela — Self-Guided package from Ultreya Travel is available year-round, from € 750:
🛏️ 7 nights with breakfast, 🎒 luggage transfer between stages, 🧭 stage-by-stage digital guide, 📞 24/7 support
Tips for your arrival in Tui
- Arrive a day before you start walking. You will have time to visit Tui Cathedral, stroll the old town, and rest before the first stage to O Porriño.
- Watch the clock at the border. Portugal is one hour behind Spain: when you cross the bridge from Valença to Tui, your clock jumps forward an hour. Keep it in mind for train and bus times.
- Get your first stamp. Your pilgrim passport (credencial) can get its first stamp in Tui — and on the last 100 km you need at least two stamps a day to earn the Compostela.
- Check schedules on the official websites. CP, Renfe, ALSA, AUTNA, and Monbus change schedules by season, with fewer options on Sundays and holidays.
- Plan for the time difference. Spain is 6 hours ahead of New York and 9 hours ahead of the West Coast (Portugal is one hour less).
Getting to Tui is simple: a flight to Porto or Lisbon, a few hours by train or bus, and a walk across the International Bridge to start your Camino. To compare the distance of every route, read how many miles the Camino de Santiago is. Buen Camino!
