How to get from Santiago de Compostela to A Coruña: quick summary
The journey between Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña covers 75 kilometers, which you can travel in 35 minutes by rail or in 50 minutes via the AP-9 if driving a private car. For travelers without their own vehicle, the train is the fastest and most comfortable option, while the bus is more economical though slightly slower. If your plan includes exploring the Costa da Morte (Coast of Death) or intermediate towns, a rental or private car is essential. My personal recommendation: take the train if you are heading straight to downtown A Coruña and want to avoid traffic entering the city; use a car only if you need freedom to move around afterward or if you are traveling in a group to split toll and fuel costs.
By car from Santiago de Compostela to A Coruña
The route by car is primarily taken via the AP-9 motorway, a toll road that connects both cities in approximately 50 minutes without traffic, departing from any point in Santiago and accessing A Coruña through the southern entrance. The toll in the Santiago-Coruña direction costs around 6.50 euros for cars (approximate 2024 price, varies by vehicle type), although there is a free alternative via the N-550 national road, which extends the trip to 1 hour and 15 minutes but passes through towns like O Burgo and O Temple.
If you choose the AP-9, you will find two useful service areas along the route: A Brea (Coruña direction) and O Temple (Santiago direction), both equipped with a gas station, cafeteria, and restrooms. A local tip is to leave before 8:00 or after 19:00 to avoid industrial traffic generated by the industrial estates in the Ordes region and the A Coruña beltway. Regarding fuel, gas stations at service areas usually have slightly higher prices than those in central Santiago, so I recommend refueling before leaving if your tank is half full.
For parking in A Coruña, forget the historic center if you don’t have a reserved spot at your accommodation. Blue zone parking ranges from 1.50 to 2 euros per hour in the urban area, while public parking lots like Plaza de Pontevedra or Marina charge between 12 and 18 euros for 24 hours. A smart option is to leave your car at the parking facilities of the A Coruña train station (San Cristóbal) if you plan to do urban sightseeing, as the center is just a 15-minute walk from there.
By train from Santiago de Compostela to A Coruña
The Renfe Media Distancia (Medium Distance) train connects Santiago de Compostela station (San Cristóbal) with A Coruña station (San Cristóbal) in exactly 35 minutes, with tickets ranging between 5 and 12 euros depending on how far in advance you book and the fare selected. Services operate with frequencies of approximately one hour from 6:00 until 22:30, using series 599 trains (regional Media Distancia trains) that include a cafeteria and Wi-Fi on some units.
Ticket purchases are made exclusively through the Renfe website, the official mobile app, or the vending machines at the stations themselves. My advice for finding the best price is to book at least 7 days in advance, when Renfe releases the most economical fares (called “Básica” or “4 Meses” if purchased very early). If traveling on weekends, the early morning trains (between 7:00 and 9:00) and return trips after 18:00 tend to have higher occupancy due to weekend tourism, so reserve a seat with an assigned spot.
The stations are centrally located in both cities: in Santiago, it is a 10-minute walk from the Cathedral via Rúa do Hórreo, and in A Coruña, it is a 12-minute walk from Plaza de María Pita. Both have lockers, restrooms, and vending machines, although the A Coruña station is more modern and offers better accessibility services.
By bus from Santiago de Compostela to A Coruña
Monbus connects Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña with direct buses throughout the day: more than 20 daily services on weekdays (slightly fewer on Sundays), from early morning until after 21:00. The journey takes between 50 minutes and 1h 15min depending on the service, with indicative prices ranging from €5 to €10.
Departures are from the Intermodal Station in Santiago, arriving at the A Coruña Bus Station, right in the city center. Tickets can be purchased at monbus.es or directly at the ticket office.
Recommended stops along the way
If you have time and are traveling by car, this 75-kilometer route allows you to discover small treasures of inland and coastal Galicia that most tourists pass by. I suggest three stops that add between 20 minutes and 1 hour to your trip but are well worth it:
O Burgo (O Mesón do Vento)
Located about 25 kilometers from Santiago via the N-550, this crossroads is famous among truck drivers and local travelers for its traditional inns trad