Camino de Santiago from the USA
Everything an American pilgrim needs before booking the flight, with dated sources.
Flights: Santiago, Madrid or Porto
Santiago de Compostela has its own airport, which you will usually reach with a connection from Madrid or another European hub. Madrid is the main gateway from the US; Porto is the natural airport for the Portuguese Camino.
Getting to the start
Sarria: trains (Renfe) from Madrid and A Coruña, and buses from Lugo. Tui: trains from Vigo and buses from Porto and Vigo. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: train from Bayonne, with connections from Biarritz, Paris and Hendaye. Ferrol: trains and buses from A Coruña and Santiago; the nearest airport is A Coruña. Check timetables with Renfe, Alsa and Monbus before you book.
Passport, Schengen and ETIAS
US citizens do not need a visa for a short trip: you may stay up to 90 days in the Schengen area. ETIAS, the new EU travel authorisation (EUR 20), is not in operation yet and no applications are being collected; the EU will announce the start date several months in advance. Check passport validity rules on travel.state.gov before you fly.
Travel insurance
Your US health plan may not cover you in Spain or Portugal. Take travel insurance that covers medical care and repatriation for every day you walk. Luggage transfer and travel insurance
Money: euros, cards and ATMs
Spain and Portugal use the euro. Cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops; carry some cash for small bars and village cafés, and use bank ATMs in the larger towns. When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in dollars, choose euros.
Best months
April–June and September–October are the most comfortable. July and August are hot on the plateau and lodgings fill up; in winter the mountain passes can have snow.
What to pack (packing list for Americans) · How to get the Compostela
What it costs, in dollars
| Per day, shared double room, up to | $95 | €85 |
|---|---|---|
| Per day, hotels with luggage transfer and bookings | $112–$202 | €100–€180 |
| Organized trip Sarria – Santiago, from about | $785 | €700 |
Orientative, based on published prices, checked in October 2026. Euros converted at the ECB reference rate of 1.1208 USD per euro on 2026-10-15. Full price table with sources
We book every night and move your luggage, so you only walk.
FAQ
Do US citizens need a visa for the Camino de Santiago?
No. US citizens can stay up to 90 days in the Schengen area without a visa. ETIAS is not in operation yet; when it starts it will cost EUR 20.
What is the best airport for the Camino from the USA?
Madrid for the Camino Francés and the start in Sarria, Porto for the Portuguese Camino, and Santiago de Compostela itself with a connection.
How much does the Camino cost in US dollars?
Up to about $95 a day sharing a double room and $112–$202 with hotels and luggage transfer (orientative; ECB rate, 2026-10-15).
Sources
- European Union · official ETIAS website · 2026-10-15
- European Central Bank · euro reference rates · 2026-10-15
