Santiago de Compostela, Spain – The Santiago de Compostela train station is undergoing a complete transformation. With an impressive name change and a lobby three times its previous size, the modernized access point was officially inaugurated today. Travelers now enter the complex via a new path directly adjacent to the bus station, enjoying the comfort of a cutting-edge intermodal complex. These extensive modernizations, which also include a new name, are a response to rapidly increasing demand and aim to equip the infrastructure for the future.
A New Chapter for Rail Travel in Galicia
The days of travelers having to climb the distinctive stone staircase to reach the trains are over. The new access point allows for barrier-free entry, significantly improving comfort for all passengers. The original passenger building will now be used for educational and technical purposes. The lobby area has been tripled from 435 to an impressive 1,100 square meters, ensuring a much more pleasant travel experience. The parking areas have also been redesigned and now offer a greater number of spaces.
Capacity Increase in Response to Record Demand
José Antonio Santano, Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, emphasized the clear objective of the modernization: “To increase the station’s capacity through new high-speed connections and, of course, to improve its intermodality.” These measures are a direct response to the high demand in Galicia, especially in Santiago de Compostela. A striking example of this is the use of the AVE to Madrid, which increased by 42% in 2024. The figures for the Galician capital are even more “spectacular” with an increase of 121%, according to Santano.
Multi-Million Euro Investments and Comprehensive Infrastructure Measures
41 million euros have been invested in the station’s infrastructure. Including the adjustments made in 2018 for high-speed traffic, the total investment amounts to an impressive 53 million euros. The newly inaugurated area completes the intermodal station, which began operations in 2021 with the opening of the bus station, an investment by the Xunta. The passenger building, designed by Estudio Herreros, is located on the platforms and is connected to the bus station via a pedestrian bridge, significantly strengthening the intermodal connection. The goal is comprehensive urban integration, connecting the Eixample with Pontepedriña and reclaiming 1,500 square meters of public space.
Future Developments: Parking Garage and Further Modernizations
However, the modernization work is not yet fully complete. The adaptation of the old passenger building, a redesign of the parking areas, and the construction of a new parking garage with 900 spaces in the summer of 2026 are still planned and will further increase the attractiveness of the location.
A Tribute to Galician Culture: The New Name “Daniel Castelao”
One of the most significant innovations is the official renaming of the station to “Daniel Castelao.” This decision, unanimously made by the city council in 2019, has now become a reality and is already visible in the signage. Goretti Sanmartín, Mayor of Santiago de Compostela, honored Castelao as a “symbol” in the fight for democratic rights and for rail transport, calling the renaming “an act of dignity.” He emphasized: “I think it is a political gesture, but also a human gesture, a gesture of affection and a gesture of recognition.” Secretary of State Santano drew a comparison to the city’s airport, which bears the name Rosalía de Castro, and proudly declared: “Santiago can boast that its two main infrastructures bear the names of two pillars of Galician history and culture.”
