The Stages of Santo Domingo de la Calzada

Santo Domingo de La Calzada ©Panoramio José Carminatti

The good geographical location of this town means that there are diverse bus connections to several cities in Spain such as Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Bilbao, Zaragoza, Oviedo, Gijón, León and Burgos as well as to major cities in the surrounding area like Logroño and Haro (the last two cities have a train station, Haro is 21 kilometers in distance and Logroño at 46 Kilometres.

The capital of Rioja also has an airport). In Burgos, Logrono and Zaragoza one company that covers the route is Empresa Jimenez.

For Burgos (company phone number: 947 266 930) services are available Monday to Friday, up to six services there and eight to return, with various links at the weekend. For Logroño (company phone number: 941 231 234) there are more than 10 services on offer from Monday to Friday, both there and back with a remarkable number of links also available at the weekend. In Haro (with a train station) and Bilbao (with an airport) bus services are available with the company Union Alavesa.

From Santo Domingo to the Basque city there are buses from Monday to Friday at 7.30, 09.15 and 19.30 hours and, on Saturdays, at 09.15 hours, on Sundays at 16.30. From Bilbao there are buses departing from Monday to Friday at 10.00, 15.15, 17.00, and at 20.00 hours (the last is only available on Fridays), 10.45 and 15.15 on Saturdays and 19:30 on Sundays and bank holidays. To Madrid the route is covered by the company PLM. From Madrid there is a bus every day at 07.00 and 15.00 hours and from Santo Domingo, at 09.20 and 18.20 hours.

Correos offers a delivery backpacks service so you can walk without loads and enjoy the routes and stages. You can also purchase a packaging and shipment of bicycles service. The price is 42,03 euros (VAT included, shipping to mainland Spain). This is available in all offices.

In Santo Domingo there are a number of licensed Taxis. The numbers are: Daniel (629135393); Aguilar (659872863); Jimenez (608 677 238). For the transfer of luggage one of the main options is Jacotrans, the company that covers the entire pilgrimage route. The contact for the stretch of La Rioja is 636 099 299. Rates are from 7 euros.

The normal procedure for those sleeping in public hostels, and thus unable to reserve a place at their next accommodation until their time of arrival-should designate a bar or another destination point where they can collect their luggage. For those staying in private hostels or hotels, their backpack will be wait for them at their next accommodation. In both cases walkers should call in advance because the service vehicles usually begin delivery before 0900 hours.

By noon, they are already at their destination. Another company that also cover the entire route is Camino Facil. The procedure is identical to that of Jacotrans. Pilgrims should call or email the day before to have everything planned. Backpacks are delivered to their destination by lunchtime. The rates are from 7 euros although prices vary depending on the number of people and the number of stages covered (for cyclists), the price may be higher. Contact: 610798138/947585002/947580010; contacto@caminofacil.net