Getting Around Vigo
Vigo is a compact, hilly port city on the Ría de Vigo in Galicia, and most of what a visitor wants to see sits within a walkable centre. For longer hops, the city runs on a bus network, with ferries across the bay and a pair of railway stations handling arrivals from elsewhere in Spain and Portugal.
Rail: Two Stations, One City
Vigo has two main railway stations, and knowing which one you need matters:
- Vigo Urzáiz is the modern main station and the terminus for almost all trains except those arriving from Portugal. Direct services from Madrid, and trains from Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña, arrive here.
- Vigo Guixar sits a short distance north of Urzáiz and is the terminus for trains from Porto in Portugal, as well as some slower regional services.
The two stations are close enough to walk between in about ten minutes, via the Ascensor Halo and Rúa Serafín Avendaño. That lift is a useful shortcut in its own right, since Vigo's streets climb steeply away from the water.
Buses and Public Transport
Vitrasa buses circulate around town and are the main way visitors get between neighbourhoods that are too far or too steep to walk comfortably. If you arrive by plane, the L9A bus connects the airport with the city centre.
Vigo does not have a metro or tram network, so buses, ferries and trains cover the ground. For travel beyond the city, the bus station is at Urzáiz, at the southwest end of the railway station — handy if you are switching between bus and train.
Ferries Across the Ría
Because Vigo sits on an inlet, boats are a genuine part of getting around rather than just a sightseeing extra. Mar de Ons ferries sail frequently between Vigo and Cangas across the gulf, and the same company runs services out to the Cíes Islands. These are a practical way to reach the far side of the bay and a memorable one in their own right.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available in the city for trips where the hills or the weather make walking unappealing, and they are a straightforward option for short hops between the centre, the stations and the port area. For longer journeys or late-night returns, it is worth having a taxi number to hand rather than relying on hailing one on a quiet street.
Walking
Vigo rewards walkers. The historic centre, Casco Vello, sits close to the modern centre around Porta do Sol, Policarpo Sanz and the Alameda, and the commercial streets of Príncipe and Urzaiz are nearby. The Celtic Castro ruins and the Castro fortress are also within reach on foot, as is the waterfront.
The catch is the terrain: the city is built on hills, so expect some climbing, and expect rain — Vigo is the rainiest city in Galicia, with heavy rainfall common in winter. Comfortable shoes and a waterproof layer are more useful here than any timetable.
Getting In From the Airport
Vigo Airport (VGO) lies east of the city. It has frequent flights from Madrid and daily flights from Barcelona, with Ryanair serving London Stansted in summer. The simplest way into town is the L9A bus, which runs downtown.
If Vigo's own flight options do not suit, you can also fly into Santiago and travel onward, or fly to Porto, which has a shuttle bus to Vigo. Porto is also well connected by bus: Flixbus, Alsa and Autna run from Porto Campanha and the airport, with multiple departures through the day.
Arriving by Bus or Road
Monbus runs an overnight service from Madrid's Moncloa station via Ourense. International and long-distance coaches from Porto are covered by Flixbus, Alsa and Autna. By car from Madrid, the route follows the A-6 toll road to Benevente and then the A-52 via Ourense.
Practical Tips
- Check whether your train arrives at Urzáiz or Guixar before booking accommodation — the two are close, but not the same place.
- Use the Ascensor Halo to save a climb between the stations and the streets below.
- Keep the L9A bus in mind for airport transfers; it is the direct public transport link to the centre.
- Consider the Mar de Ons ferries for Cangas and the Cíes Islands instead of routing around the bay by road.
- Pack for rain whatever the season — Vigo's wet winters are not an exaggeration.