Flights and Transfers

Please note that you are liable for the cost of your airfare in the event that you need to cancel off the program or if Travel/Study is unable to run the program for any reason. Therefore we strongly recommend waiting to book your flights until closer to departure (or at least until after final payment), purchasing refundable tickets or considering additional travel insurance to cover the cost of your flights in case you are unable to use your ticket. You may opt to work with your travel agent or call airlines directly or look on your preferred travel websites for flight options.

If you don’t already have a travel agent, we recommend you contact Carol Brazeau at Travel Experts, Inc., located in Oceanside, CA. She would be happy to assist you with travel arrangements. She can be reached by email at carol@travelxperts.com or by phone at 650-823-9958. Note that Carol charges a service fee for making travel arrangements.

When to Arrive/Transfers

Arrive in Bilbao, Spain (airport code BIO) by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8.

Multiple group transfers from the airport to the hotel are provided for all travelers arriving in Bilbao on June 8 by 4:15 p.m. The last transfer from the airport will depart at approximately 5:00 p.m. We’ll use the flight information you provide to arrange included transfers. You may be grouped with other travelers arriving on the same flight or at a similar time.

• Transfer duration: approximately 15 minutes from the airport to the Hotel Carlton (8 miles)

• Check-in time at hotel: rooms will be available beginning at 3:00 p.m. on June 8

• First activity: welcome reception on Wednesday, June 8 at approximately 7:00 p.m. in the hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening and restaurant suggestions for dinner will be provided.

If you plan to arrive earlier than June 8:

• Making your own arrangements: A taxi costs about €35. Taxis are very safe and accessible. Taxi drivers speak English and accept major credit cards.

• Private transfer: $55 for up to 4 people. Includes meet/greet service in arrivals hall and assistance with luggage transfer to vehicle but does not include gratuity (suggested tip €5. Note that payment for private transfers is non-refundable after the final payment due date for the trip. Please request your arrival transfer using the online Arrival and Departure Details Form.

Please note that costs will vary if you need a transfer on the weekend or outside the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. If you need a private transfer during the weekend or outside those hours, please contact Emily Casperson at ecasperson@stanford.edu to obtain a quote or you can make arrangements directly through Carol Brazeau at Travel Experts, Inc.

When to Depart/Transfers

Depart from Santiago de Compostela, Spain (SCQ) before 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 21.

Multiple group transfers from the hotel to the airport are provided for all travelers departing Santiago de Compostela on Tuesday, June 21 on flights departing before 2:30 p.m. with the last transfer departing the Parador Santiago de Compostela at 12:00 p.m.

We’ll use the flight information you provide to arrange included transfers. You may be grouped with other travelers departing on the same flight or at a similar time. Travelers departing Santiago de Compostela after 2:30 p.m. will need to make additional transfer arrangements.

• Transfer duration: approximately 30 minutes from the Parador de Santiago de Compostela to the airport (9 miles). Note that you are required to arrive at the airport in Santiago 2 hours prior to an international departure.

• Final activity: farewell dinner on Monday, June 20 in the hotel

If you plan to depart Santiago de Compostela later than June 21:

• Making your own arrangements: A taxi costs about €45. Taxis are very safe and accessible. Taxi drivers speak English and accept major credit cards.

• Private transfer: A private transfer from the Parador Santiago de Compostela to the airport (SCQ) costs $65 for up to 4 people. This does not include gratuity (suggested tip €15). Note that payment for private transfers is non-refundable after the final payment due date for the trip. Please request your departure transfer using the online Arrival and Departure Details Form.

Please note that costs will vary if you need a transfer on the weekend or outside the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. If you need a private transfer during the weekend or outside those hours, please contact Emily Casperson at ecasperson@stanford.edu to obtain a quote or you can make arrangements directly through Carol Brazeau at Travel Experts, Inc.

Extra Hotel Arrangements

If you decide to arrive early or depart late, you must secure your extra hotel nights on your own online directly with the hotels, through your preferred travel agent or through Carol Brazeau at Travel Experts, Inc.

Accommodations

Our hotels were chosen for their location along our walking route and are the best available in each location. They range from one three star hotel in Portomarín to the 5 star hotels in Bilbao, Pamplona, León and Santiago. Due to the size of our coach and the narrow streets, we will need to walk about 5 minutes carrying our own daypacks (carry-on bags) to and from our coach to one of these establishments.

As we are following a pilgrimage route we change hotels frequently and we will often have one night in a hotel, which means that bringing fewer articles of clothing that can easily be mixed and matched will make it easier to pack and unpack your suitcase. As noted on the Trip Information page, laundry service is available in all of our hotels for a fee, although a minimum stay of two nights is required for this service.

Following are links to the hotels on our journey.

• Bilbao, Spain: Hotel Carlton (night June 8)

• Ainhoa, France: Ithurria Hotel (night of June 9)

• Pamplona, Spain: Gran Hotel La Perla (nights June 10 and 11)

• Santo Domingo, Spain: Parador de Santo Domingo (night of June 12)

• Burgos, Spain: Palacio de Burgos (nights of June 13 and 14)

• León, Spain: Parador de León (nights of June 15 and 16)

• Villafranca del Bierzo, Spain: Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo (night of June 17)

• Portomarín, Spain: Hotel Pousada de Portomarín (night of June 18)

• Santiago de Compostela, Spain: Parador de Santiago de Compostela (nights of June 19 and 20)