When I first set my eyes on Ourense on a map of Galicia, I knew this wasn’t going to be a trip of towering landmarks or crowded beaches. It was going to be about hot springs, Roman bridges, quiet cafés, and cobbled lanes whispering stories from centuries ago. But like every journey worth telling, getting there is half the tale.
Many first-time travelers are surprised to find that Ourense doesn’t have its own commercial airport. The closest gateway is Vigo Airport (VGO), followed by Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) and A Coruña (LCG). So instead of flying directly into Ourense, the most efficient route involves flying into one of these airports and taking a scenic train or bus ride—both of which offer their own magical introductions to Galicia.
Below, I’m sharing three of the best flight routes from major European cities into Ourense’s nearest airports, with my personal impressions, practical tips, and booking suggestions.
1. London to Santiago de Compostela with Ryanair
📍 Departure: London Stansted (STN)
🛬 Arrival: Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)
⏱ Flight Time: Approx. 2h 10m
💶 Average Fare: €40–€90 round-trip
Flying Budget Without Feeling It
I booked this Ryanair flight on a whim using Skyscanner, which I rely on constantly for last-minute European deals. While Ryanair isn’t typically associated with comfort, this particular flight surprised me. It left right on time, the staff was cheerful, and I had pre-booked an aisle seat with extra legroom for just €12 more.
On board, I met a friendly Galician couple returning home who gave me their list of favorite thermal springs in Ourense—a piece of advice that would completely shape the rest of my trip.
Arrival and Transfer Tips
Once in Santiago, the train station is just 15 minutes away by taxi, and trains to Ourense run roughly every hour. The journey through the Galician countryside took just under 90 minutes. You can book trains via Renfe, Spain’s official railway service.
📲 Flight Booking Tip: Use Google Flights to compare flexible dates, then book directly through Ryanair’s site to avoid third-party fees.
2. Paris to Vigo with Iberia Airlines
📍 Departure: Paris Orly (ORY)
🛬 Arrival: Vigo-Peinador Airport (VGO)
⏱ Flight Time: 1h 55m
💶 Average Fare: €85–€130 round-trip
My Iberia Experience
Iberia may be Spain’s national carrier, but on this route, it feels more boutique than business. The plane was a quiet Airbus A319, and there were complimentary drinks and snacks—a welcome change after dozens of no-frills flights across Europe. I booked through Kiwi.com because it bundled my rail transfer to Ourense in one single itinerary.
What impressed me most was the punctuality and the view—descending over Vigo, with the blue of the Atlantic merging into Galician green, made for an awe-inspiring welcome.
Ground Transfer from Vigo
The Vigo to Ourense train takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes, and is incredibly scenic. Alternatively, BlaBlaCar (a carpooling platform popular in Spain) offers frequent rides between the two cities for about €7.
📲 Bonus Tip: If you book your Iberia flight on eDreams, watch for their bundled hotel discounts in Ourense—sometimes up to 20% off.
3. Frankfurt to A Coruña with Lufthansa
📍 Departure: Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
🛬 Arrival: A Coruña (LCG)
⏱ Flight Time: Approx. 2h 25m
💶 Average Fare: €100–€170 round-trip
Business-Style Comfort Without the Business Price
Flying Lufthansa out of Frankfurt felt luxurious even in economy. I used Opodo to find this route on short notice, and I ended up with a seat in one of their newer, roomier aircrafts. Onboard Wi-Fi worked well, and the service was exceptional—efficient but never robotic.
I had a brief layover in Madrid, but the connection was smooth. The airline app even sent me live updates about my gate and baggage, which was surprisingly useful at Barajas’ enormous terminal.
From A Coruña to Ourense
Although A Coruña is a bit farther from Ourense (about 2 hours by train), I honestly didn’t mind. I took a Renfe Avant train, which has wide seats, clean restrooms, and large windows for watching the Galician coast disappear into the interior hills.
📲 Tip for Business Travelers: Lufthansa often includes one free checked bag and free seat selection—worth considering if you’re carrying gifts or planning a longer stay.
4. Amsterdam to Santiago de Compostela with Vueling
📍 Departure: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
🛬 Arrival: Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)
⏱ Flight Time: 2h 20m
💶 Average Fare: €70–€110 round-trip
A Budget-Friendly Romantic Escape
I booked this flight for a spring getaway with my partner. We were craving something quieter than Barcelona, less touristy than Lisbon, and Santiago—only 90 minutes from Ourense—fit the mood. I found our tickets on Momondo, and they were surprisingly affordable for a last-minute trip in April.
Vueling, being a low-cost Spanish airline, exceeded expectations. The plane was clean, the flight punctual, and we even had the option to pre-order tapas-style snack boxes (the Manchego and jamón ibérico combo was a highlight).
Once in Santiago, we took a Renfe regional train to Ourense. What made this leg particularly memorable was the breathtaking Cañón do Sil, visible in the distance as the train snakes through vineyards and valleys. I actually stood near the train door with my camera out the window—don’t worry, the window was down safely—and caught one of my favorite photos of the whole trip.
📲 Pro Tip: Avoid weekends if you’re looking for cheaper fares, and consider subscribing to Vueling’s newsletter—their “Yellow Prices” sales often drop below €50.
5. Milan to Vigo with EasyJet
📍 Departure: Milan Malpensa (MXP)
🛬 Arrival: Vigo Airport (VGO)
⏱ Flight Time: 2h 10m
💶 Average Fare: €60–€120
My Unexpected Solo Adventure
This trip was unplanned. I had originally booked for Porto, but a change of plans landed me in Milan, and I saw this EasyJet route for less than €70 on Kayak. I hadn’t visited Vigo before, but it quickly became my launchpad for Ourense—and I’m glad it did.
Vigo Airport is small and incredibly easy to navigate. Within 20 minutes of landing, I was in a taxi headed to the train station. I arrived in Ourense just in time for a golden sunset over the Roman bridge, the city’s historic heart glowing like something out of a Turner painting.
Why This Route Works Well:
- EasyJet allows up to 15kg carry-ons for a reasonable fee.
- Smooth arrival and transfer—Vigo’s smaller airport means no crowds.
- EasyJet’s mobile app is one of the best budget airline apps: real-time updates, boarding pass storage, and seat selection made check-in seamless.
📲 Booking Tip: Use Google Flights to find the cheapest day, then book directly with EasyJet. Also check Kiwi.com for full-trip combinations including Vigo–Ourense transfers.
6. Brussels to Santiago de Compostela with TUI Fly
📍 Departure: Brussels Airport (BRU)
🛬 Arrival: Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)
⏱ Flight Time: 2h 10m
💶 Average Fare: €90–€140
From Belgium’s Capital to Galicia’s Green Heart
TUI Fly may not be as famous as Ryanair or Vueling, but it offers something rare on budget flights: a sense of leisure and calm. I boarded this flight on a cold November morning, escaping the greyness of Brussels for the crisp, wild air of northern Spain.
The staff spoke Flemish, Spanish, and French with warmth and humor. There were more families on board than business travelers, and the sense of going somewhere “off-the-map” was shared in casual conversations throughout the cabin. This wasn’t a rush-to-Barcelona kind of crowd—it was quieter, more deliberate, and reflective. Just like Ourense.
📲 Tip for Families: TUI often allows free seat selection and priority boarding for families with children. Use Lastminute.com to find bundle deals with accommodation in Galicia.
✈️ Booking Flights to Ourense: Insider Advice
After years of flying into Galicia for research, writing, and retreat, I’ve developed some tried-and-true methods for booking smarter:
- Use Metasearch Sites First: I always begin with Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Momondo to compare prices and timings across multiple airlines.
- Check Local Budget Carriers: Vueling, Iberia Express, and Ryanair often run seasonal deals. Their websites sometimes have better prices than aggregators.
- Avoid Fridays & Sundays: These are peak travel days for both locals and tourists. I find flying midweek—Tuesday or Wednesday—cuts prices significantly.
- Combine with Train Packages: Renfe and Omio often bundle train and plane tickets, especially for major city-to-city travel.
- Consider Flexible Airports: Flying into Vigo, Santiago, or A Coruña opens up many options, and the trains to Ourense are efficient and scenic.
🚉 Why the Journey to Ourense Matters
Reaching Ourense by air may take a bit more planning than landing in Madrid or Barcelona, but that’s what makes it special. The journey becomes part of the destination. Whether you descend into the lush valleys of Santiago, drift above the blue Atlantic into Vigo, or roll past ancient vineyards on your train into the city, you are being slowly introduced to Galicia’s soul.
Each time I arrive in Ourense, it feels like a homecoming. The cobbled streets, the steamy stone termas, the quiet cafés where locals speak Galician in soft tones—it all feels untouched by the hurried pace of bigger cities.
And perhaps that’s the real reward of flying here: you earn the experience.
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