Change train in Ourense from Madrid to Sarria

[torlastman]

I am taking the train from Madrid-Chamart to Sarria on Apr 28.

When I read the posts in this forum, it looks like that in late last year, there was constructions so passengers will have buses instead from Ourense to Sarria.

My ticket does not indicate that. So my question is for the second part from Ourense to Sarria. Is now via train or still via bus? Appreciate any latest information. Thanks!

Also, there is only 15 mins gap for changing the train from ALVIA 04145 to MD 37325. Any information on how to change the train / platform will be helpful. A little worry on changing the train in such a short time.

Thanks all...

 

[J Willhaus]

It is a small station. If you are diverted to a bus, the station personnel are quite efficient at gathering you all up and getting you on board.

 

[tjz]

Last month we were traveling the opposite direction from Baamonde to Madrid and had to finish the leg into Ourense on a bus too. As @J Willhaus says, it is all very efficient. We were pretty amazed how well Renfe handled it all.

Our MD train from Baamonde was 10 minutes late when it picked us up and got delayed further waiting on a siding. We had a very tight connection to the Madrid train and were pretty resigned we'd miss that connection. As it was Semana Santa we were expecting the worse trying to get some transport that afternoon/evening or the next day. In my terrible Spanish, I asked a kind lady next to us if this was where we caught the bus, and she said yes. When we arrived with anxious looks on our faces, she made sure the waiting Renfe folks knew we needed help, and the personnel right there on the tracks when we got off the train escorted us at light speed to the correct bus. The bus made good time but arrived at what should have been too late to catch the Alvia to Madrid, but thankfully for us and another man, they had held the train and once again we got a light speed escort through Ourense station security and right to our train.

I think I'll remember that as (hopefully!) our craziest train connection in Spain. All the other times it has been pretty easy once you learn to navigate the "you'll know the track for your train just before it arrives" thing. And it was another example of Camino Angels and the Camino Will Provide.

 

[Moislova]

Greetings, I am arriving at 8:05 United to Madrid. There is a bus that departs from T4 at 10am, does that sound doable? thank you!

 

[J Willhaus]

It is possible that your United flight will not arrive at T4 and will likely arrive at T1. You will need to clear customs and then take the interterminal shuttle bus to T4 where the bus terminal is located. These buses leave from right outside T1 on the lower level and run regularly. It is possible that you can make the bus, however, you should factor in the transit from one terminal to the other. I am not certain I would buy a ticket until I knew whether I would make it or not.

 

[witsendwv]

Greetings, I am arriving at 8:05 United to Madrid. There is a bus that departs from T4 at 10am, does that sound doable? thank you!

I agree with J Wilhaus. We have often taken a flight from DC that arrives at about 6AM. Sometimes we have been at our hotel in Madrid to sleep by 8AM, but the last time our flight arrived with eight other flights and there was no one in immigration control. We arrived at our hotel about 10:30 AM, so you never know what delays may happen. If we are making a connection and not staying in Madrid then I give at least 3hrs. Irrespective of how exhausted we are from not sleeping on the flight. Good luck and buen camino.

 

[torlastman]

Last month we were traveling the opposite direction from Baamonde to Madrid and had to finish the leg into Ourense on a bus too. As @J Willhaus says, it is all very efficient. We were pretty amazed how well Renfe handled it all.

Our MD train from Baamonde was 10 minutes late when it picked us up and got delayed further waiting on a siding. We had a very tight connection to the Madrid train and were pretty resigned we'd miss that connection. As it was Semana Santa we were expecting the worse trying to get some transport that afternoon/evening or the next day. In my terrible Spanish, I asked a kind lady next to us if this was where we caught the bus, and she said yes. When we arrived with anxious looks on our faces, she made sure the waiting Renfe folks knew we needed help, and the personnel right there on the tracks when we got off the train escorted us at light speed to the correct bus. The bus made good time but arrived at what should have been too late to catch the Alvia to Madrid, but thankfully for us and another man, they had held the train and once again we got a light speed escort through Ourense station security and right to our train.

I think I'll remember that as (hopefully!) our craziest train connection in Spain. All the other times it has been pretty easy once you learn to navigate the "you'll know the track for your train just before it arrives" thing. And it was another example of Camino Angels and the Camino Will Provide.

Thanks.