Planning your Camino
How many days does the Camino de Santiago take?
From five days from Sarria to five weeks from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. A table with the most popular starting points, their distance and the days each usually takes.
In this guide
It is everyone’s first question, and the answer depends mostly on where you start and your pace. Most pilgrims walk 20 to 25 km a day; less in the mountains or in the heat.
Popular starting points
| Start | Camino | Km to Santiago | Typical days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port | Francés | 768 | 30–35 |
| Pamplona | Francés | 702 | 28–32 |
| Burgos | Francés | 485 | 20–24 |
| León | Francés | 306 | 13–15 |
| Ponferrada | Francés | 205 | 9–11 |
| O Cebreiro | Francés | 153 | 7–8 |
| Sarria | Francés | 115 | 5–6 |
| Lisbon | Portuguese | 622 | 24–28 |
| Porto | Portuguese Central | 244 | 10–12 |
| Porto | Portuguese Coastal | 270 | 11–13 |
| Tui | Portuguese | 119 | 5–6 |
| Irún | Norte | 839 | 32–36 |
| Oviedo | Primitivo | 313 | 12–14 |
| Ferrol | Inglés | 112 | 5–6 |
Distances by our measurements. Days are a guide for a relaxed pilgrim pace, with rest days on the long routes.
One week
Sarria – Santiago (5 days) or Tui – Santiago (5–6 days), both valid for the Compostela. With seven days you can also start in O Cebreiro, or walk the Camino Inglés from Ferrol with time to spare. See the Camino from Sarria.
Two weeks
León – Santiago (13–14 days), Porto – Santiago (10–13 days) or the Primitivo from Oviedo (12–14 days). See the Portuguese Camino.
A month or more
The whole Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the Norte from Irún or the Vía de la Plata from Seville. Many people walk them in sections over several years.
What changes the number of days
- Elevation. 20 flat km on the Meseta are not 20 km over the Pyrenees.
- Heat. In summer, start early and finish early.
- The first days. Start short: that is when most injuries happen.
- Rest days. On routes over two weeks, one every seven to ten days helps.
FAQ
How many days does the Camino de Santiago take?
About 5 days from Sarria or Tui, two weeks from León or Porto, and over a month from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
How many km a day do pilgrims walk?
20 to 25 km on average. Less in the first days.
What is the minimum for the Compostela?
The last 100 km on foot (200 km by bike). From Sarria, five days.
Can I walk the Camino in a week?
Yes: Sarria, Tui or Ferrol to Santiago all fit in a week.
