Spain is currently facing an intense crisis with wildfires devastating areas, particularly affecting Zamora, León , and Ourense . The escalating fires have been so severe that they have forced authorities to cut rail traffic between Zamora and Galicia , grounding all high-speed trains for the foreseeable future. Local reports indicate that significant roadways are also being closed, creating complications for travelers. Unfortunately, Renfe , the national railway service, has yet to provide alternative travel solutions.
Consequently, airlines seem to be capitalizing on this situation.
Traffic disruptions. Renfe has officially announced that no trains will operate throughout the day, and there is little hope for a resolution in the immediate future. According to the last update from DGT, six roads are currently closed due to these fires, including two vital routes in Zamora. However, major highways like A-6, A-66, and A-52 remain operational. Despite this, Renfe hasn’t provided any bus services to accommodate those who typically rely on train travel between Madrid and Zamora.
What can travelers do? Individuals holding high-speed train tickets face limited options. The most straightforward choice is to complete the section between Madrid and Zamora and then transition to bus or car travel to reach Galicia . Alternatively, travelers may opt for an entire road trip. However, the fastest route remains by air .
Prohibitive prices. Those who must travel are presented with exorbitant airfares, particularly those flying from Galicia to Madrid, with some tickets exceeding 300 euros . Travel search engines like Skyscanner confirm these steep prices, reflecting how dire the situation is for last-minute travelers who originally planned to take the train.
Options with direct flight between Vigo and Madrid for August 19
For instance, flying from Vigo to Madrid on August 19 has a starting fare of 350 euros , although options improve slightly as the week progresses. On August 20 , prices may drop to around 237 euros , while midweek fares fluctuate between 130 and 114 euros .
The cheapest ticket between Santiago de Compostela and Madrid involves an 18-hour layover in Seville.
Traveling from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid also does not show improvement. Costs begin at 331 euros for flights tomorrow, descending to 231 euros by midweek, but prices spike back over 200 euros during the weekend. Additionally, some of the cheapest options involve horrendous layovers, like an astonishing 15-hour layover in Seville.
Cheaper options to fly between A Coruña and Madrid are limited and not feasible.
Similarly, flights from A Coruña to Madrid show no signs of relief either. The cheapest direct flights for tomorrow start at 272 euros late at night. On the bright side, traveling later in the week could cost less than 150 euros , a stark contrast to other airports in Galicia.
On the other hand, alternatives from Madrid to Galicia appear more reasonable. For travel tomorrow, prices from Madrid to A Coruña can be found under 100 euros , with comparable pricing across the week.
Interestingly, distinctions in pricing indicate that fares are significantly lower for guests departing Madrid due to leisure travel by the locals, while the return journey by those from Galicia seems less flexible, possibly owing to job commitments.
Travelers are indeed waiting until the last moment to confirm alternative travel options, primarily due to the dwindling number of available flights. A report from La Voz de Galicia indicates that Iberia has reduced daily flights in the Galician corridor by 80 seats , alongside Ryanair’s partial exit, resulting in 61% fewer flights from Vigo and 28% less from Santiago de Compostela.
The rising airfare and diminishing flight availability have brought down the overall number of air passengers . For instance, the Galician airport in A Coruña recorded a 0.3% increase in passengers compared to 2024 until July, while Vigo and Santiago experienced declines of 6.5% and 12.4% , respectively.
This situation demands urgent attention, as travelers are forced to adjust under distressing emergency conditions. With the damage from wildfires mounting, authorities must act swiftly to ensure both public safety and the support of affected communities.