---
title: "Santiago Airport (SCQ): getting to the city centre"
description: "SCQ is 12 km from the old town: city bus 6A for 1 €, a taxi for 20-25 €, or ride-hail, with timetables. Airlines and destinations. Indicative prices."
url: https://santiago.es/en/airport
locale: en
---

# Santiago Airport (SCQ): getting to the city centre

Arriving by air

Rosalía de Castro airport sits 12 kilometres from the old town, in Lavacolla. Here's what you need to know to get into the city without a headache.

![Avión descendiendo sobre los bosques de Lavacolla, grabado dorado](https://santiago.es/img/illus/avion.jpg)

[© santiago.es · Ilustración](https://santiago.es)

By [Cesar Rodriguez](https://santiago.es/en/author) · updated 13 September 2026

Santiago de Compostela's airport is named after Rosalía de Castro, the 19th-century Galician poet, and sits on a plot in Lavacolla, a village that centuries ago was the last stop for [pilgrims](https://santiago.es/en/camino-de-santiago) before entering the city: it's where they washed before presenting themselves to the Apostle. Today it's still the entry point for most visitors, though the airport itself is small and can be crossed end to end in a few minutes.

## Airlines and destinations

Around ten airlines operate at SCQ, serving close to **29 destinations**. On domestic routes, Iberia connects to Madrid and Vueling to Barcelona, alongside seasonal routes to the Canary Islands, Alicante, Málaga or Palma. Internationally, London is the most frequent destination (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted), joined by Amsterdam with KLM, Frankfurt with Lufthansa, Dublin and Cork with Aer Lingus, and flights to Zurich, Brussels or Paris-Orly.

The route map shifted considerably in late 2025: Ryanair closed its Santiago base in October of that year, citing what the airline called excessively high airport fees, and withdrew a large share of its connections to Madrid, Málaga, Alicante and Barcelona. It kept five routes at reduced frequency. In response, 2026 has brought in longer-haul operators: KLM has reinforced Amsterdam with a daily service through the summer season, which in the airline calendar ends on 24 October 2026, Lufthansa keeps Frankfurt running, and United Airlines has announced a direct connection to New York (Newark). Vueling, for its part, has expanded its base at the airport from three aircraft to four.

If you're coming from outside Spain and looking for a direct flight, it's also worth checking nearby airports like A Coruña, Vigo or even [Porto](https://santiago.es/en/santiago-to-porto) as an alternative, though for most international visitors SCQ remains the most convenient option. **A Coruña (Alvedro)** has one concrete advantage if you land with the rucksack already packed: Ferrol, where [the Camino Inglés](https://santiago.es/en/camino-de-santiago/english-way) starts, is about 49 km away, a little over half an hour by car, so you can fly in the morning and sleep that night at the start line.

## Getting from the airport to the centre

There are three sensible ways to get from the terminal to the old town, and the choice mostly comes down to how much luggage you're carrying and what time you land.

### City bus (route 6A)

By far the cheapest option: **1 €**, paid in cash directly to the driver as you board. Route 6A leaves the terminal and runs a 25-to-50-minute journey — depending on traffic and how many stops it makes — passing San Lázaro and the Intermodal Station before terminating at Praza de Galicia, the most practical stop if you're staying in the old town or the Ensanche. It runs every 20-30 minutes on weekdays and every 30-60 minutes on weekends and public holidays, operating roughly between 6:30 and 00:30. Note that there's been talk of introducing a separate fare for this route, around 6 € one-way or 10 € return, though still with no confirmed date; it's worth checking tussa.gal before you travel.

### Taxi

The taxi ride takes 15 to 20 minutes and typically costs between 20 and 25 €. There's an official taxi rank right outside the terminal, so there's no need to book ahead unless you're arriving on an overnight flight. To call one, Radio Taxi Compostela answers 24 hours a day on **981 56 92 92**.

### Ride-hail (Uber, Cabify)

As an alternative to a taxi, ride-hail services operate in the area with prices ranging from 15 to 25 € depending on demand at the time. It's a reasonable option if you already have the app installed and prefer to lock in the price before getting in the car.

**Comparison of options for getting from the airport to central Santiago**

| Option | Price | Duration | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| City bus 6A | 1 € (a special fare may be introduced later) | 25-50 min | Light luggage, no rush |
| Taxi | 20-25 € | 15-20 min | Night arrivals, groups, lots of luggage |
| Ride-hail (Uber/Cabify) | 15-25 € | 15-20 min | If you'd rather lock in the price upfront |

And if you are not heading into town but off to start the Camino in Sarria, there is no need to go down to Santiago. The only direct bus of the day, the Xunta's line XG802, calls at the terminal at 11:15 and reaches Sarria at 13:18 for €11.05; every other combination changes in Lugo. The timetable, and how late a landing still works, are in [getting to the starting point](https://santiago.es/en/camino-de-santiago/getting-to-the-start#i-land-in-santiago-at-x-o-clock-can-i-reach-sarria-today).

Before you travel

City bus and airport fares can change: confirm current schedules and prices at tussa.gal and aena.es.

## Distance and orientation

SCQ sits 12 kilometres from the [old town](https://santiago.es/en/what-to-see), a distance that by car or taxi takes roughly 15-20 minutes under normal traffic. There's no train connecting the airport directly to the city — Santiago's station is in the centre, not in Lavacolla — so for anyone who'd rather not rely on the city bus, a taxi remains the most direct way in.

## Frequently asked questions

**What's the cheapest way from the airport to central Santiago?**

The 6A city bus, with a 1 € ticket paid in cash to the driver. It takes 25 to 50 minutes depending on traffic and ends at Praza de Galicia, very close to the old town.

**How much does a taxi cost from Santiago airport to the centre?**

Around 20 to 25 €, with a ride of 15 to 20 minutes. There's a taxi rank right outside the terminal.

**How often does the airport bus run?**

Every 20-30 minutes on weekdays and every 30-60 minutes on weekends and public holidays, running roughly between 6:30 and 00:30.

**Is there a train from Santiago airport?**

No. The airport has no direct rail connection. To reach the centre you'll need the city bus, a taxi, or a ride-hail service.

**Which airlines fly to Santiago?**

Iberia and Vueling cover the main domestic destinations, and there are international flights with KLM (Amsterdam), Lufthansa (Frankfurt), Aer Lingus (Dublin and Cork) and several routes to London, among others. Ryanair scaled back its presence at the airport in late 2025.

## Keep reading

**[Getting to Santiago](https://santiago.es/en/getting-there)** — Other transport — Train, bus and car: every connection with the rest of Spain. — Read the guide

**[Getting around Santiago](https://santiago.es/en/getting-around)** — Once you're here — City bus, taxi, parking, and why you'll barely need a car. — Read the guide

**[Where to stay in Santiago](https://santiago.es/en/where-to-stay)** — Where to stay — From the Parador to pilgrim albergues: a guide to neighbourhoods and prices. — Read the guide