Pilgrims planning to walk the Camino de Santiago during the 2027 Holy Year will soon have a new, budget-friendly way to fly home. A new carrier, Fly2Galicia, has announced it will launch direct flights to Santiago–Rosalía de Castro Airport from eight European destinations, with the first departures scheduled for 1 December 2026.
The airline will serve three domestic routes from Alicante, Granada and Zaragoza, as well as international connections to Brussels, Prague, Munich, Venice and Milan. Tickets went on sale today, with one-way fares from Milan starting at €41, from Brussels, Prague or Venice at €51, and from Munich from €71.
It is worth noting that Fly2Galicia will not operate these initial flights itself. Instead, they will be run by another European operator that has yet to be named. The airline plans to establish a permanent base at the airport in February 2027, which will also see the launch of additional domestic routes to Málaga, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Zaragoza.
The announcement follows Wizz Air's recent decision to launch flights to Santiago from Rome and Warsaw this December, signalling growing competition on routes to the Galician capital.
A city that rewards the journey
Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia in northwest Spain, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the culmination of one of Europe's most famous pilgrimage routes. The city's Old Town is often described as one of the world's most beautiful urban areas, with architecture spanning Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical styles.
Visitors can wander through the narrow medieval streets, visit the imposing cathedral, and sample the region's renowned seafood at the Mercado de Abastos food market. A glass of Albariño, the crisp white wine that Galicia is known for, pairs perfectly with the local produce.
The timing of Fly2Galicia's launch is strategic. The Holy Year, or Xacobeo, occurs when 25 July falls on a Sunday, and the next one is in 2027. During these years, the Catholic Church grants a plenary indulgence to pilgrims who complete the Camino, and numbers typically surge. The last Holy Year in 2021-2022 saw record numbers, and expectations are high for 2027.
For European travellers, the new budget connections will make the pilgrimage more accessible than ever. With fares starting at under €50 from several cities, the cost of reaching the starting point of the Camino—or flying home after completing it—is set to drop significantly.
Fly2Galicia's entry into the market is part of a broader trend of low-cost carriers expanding their networks in Spain. The country's regional airports have seen increased activity as airlines seek to tap into both tourism and the growing popularity of the Camino. The new routes will also benefit local businesses in Santiago, which rely heavily on pilgrimage-related tourism.
While the initial flights will be operated by a partner carrier, Fly2Galicia's long-term plans include building its own fleet and crew. The airline has not yet specified which aircraft it will use or how many frequencies it will offer on each route, but the announcement has already generated interest among travel planners.
For those considering the Camino in 2027, the new flights offer a practical and affordable option. Whether you are starting your journey in Prague, Munich or Milan, or simply looking to explore one of Europe's most historic cities, Santiago de Compostela is about to become a little easier to reach.
