Alsa buses at Madrid airport

[dottie]

I am flying into Madrid on Aug 31 and have purchased a bus ticket to Pamplona. Can anyone tell me how I would get to the bus station at the airport when I land? I think it is located in the airport at Terminal 4, but can I walk there or do I need to take a tram or shuttle from the main airport when I land? Thanks for any info.

 

[NualaOC]

Hi @dottie, here's a useful link to the information about transport between the terminals: http://www.aena.es/en/madrid-barajas-airport/transport-between-terminals.html
You can't walk to T4 as it's in a separate building from the other terminals.

I've used the free shuttle bus. It was super-easy and very well signposted.

Buen Camino!

 

[dottie]

Hi @dottie, here's a useful link to the information about transport between the terminals: http://www.aena.es/en/madrid-barajas-airport/transport-between-terminals.html
You can't walk to T4 as it's in a separate building from the other terminals.

I've used the free shuttle bus. It was super-easy and very well signposted.

Buen Camino!

Thank you very much!

 

[sillydoll]

When you arrive at T4 arrivals, walk through the exit doors and look across the two taxi lanes to where the buses queue up. ALSA usually have bays 1-3 but could be in any one of them on the day.

 

[dottie]

Thank you, that helps a lot.

 

[whariwharangi]

PLM Autocares and ALSA buses from Madrid to Pamplona leave from Intercambiador de Avenida de America. Only some of the buses go to T4 airport as part of their itinerary ... sometimes there are several hours between buses at T4.

EMT Madrid #200 goes from several locations at the Airport to Avenida de America every few minutes.

 

[dottie]

Thank you for the information. I already bought my bus ticket ahead of time, and according to my confirmation it will be leaving from T4 at the airport.

 

[nreyn12]

Dottie, assuming you are arriving on an international flight, when you exit baggage claim you need to go up one floor, then exit the building, and turn to your right. There you will find the (free) bus to take you to T4. When you arrive at T4, enter the terminal and follow the signs to the bus stand. It is on the same floor as the T4 arrivals, which is also where you will find restrooms and the best selection of quick food options.

The buses to Pamplona depart from stands 1 - 4. Note that the name on your bus may not match the name of the company on your ticket, so be sure to confirm the destination with the driver. Also, you most likely have to change buses in either Zaragoza or Sorria, so that will be the destination of the bus at the airport, not Pamplona. (I have seen people miss their bus because they didn't know this!) My tactic is to approach the driver of every bus that arrives around my departure time to see if that is my bus.

If you are changing buses in Sorria, the bus to Pamplona will be waiting when you arrive. There are restrooms inside the bus station, upstairs, and the stalls require a coin (I think 50 cents) if the door has swung shut.

When you're in Pamplona, you will find an information desk on the same floor as the bus stands, around the corner from the ticket windows. If it's open, they will have maps of Pamplona. It is a short walk from the station to the historic center, say about 15 minutes.

Buen Camino!

 

[dottie]

Dottie, assuming you are arriving on an international flight, when you exit baggage claim you need to go up one floor, then exit the building, and turn to your right. There you will find the (free) bus to take you to T4. When you arrive at T4, enter the terminal and follow the signs to the bus stand. It is on the same floor as the T4 arrivals, which is also where you will find restrooms and the best selection of quick food options.

The buses to Pamplona depart from stands 1 - 4. Note that the name on your bus may not match the name of the company on your ticket, so be sure to confirm the destination with the driver. Also, you most likely have to change buses in either Zaragoza or Sorria, so that will be the destination of the bus at the airport, not Pamplona. (I have seen people miss their bus because they didn't know this!) My tactic is to approach the driver of every bus that arrives around my departure time to see if that is my bus.

If you are changing buses in Sorria, the bus to Pamplona will be waiting when you arrive. There are restrooms inside the bus station, upstairs, and the stalls require a coin (I think 50 cents) if the door has swing shut.

When your in Pamplona, you will find an information desk on the same floor as the bus stands, around the corner from the ticket windows. If it's open, they will have maps of Pamplona. It is a short walk from the station to the historic center, say about 15 minutes.

Buen Camino!

Wow, very detailed. That should help a lot, thank you very much.

 

[Colette Z]

I am flying into Madrid on Aug 31 and have purchased a bus ticket to Pamplona. Can anyone tell me how I would get to the bus station at the airport when I land? I think it is located in the airport at Terminal 4, but can I walk there or do I need to take a tram or shuttle from the main airport when I land? Thanks for any info.

Hi DOTTIE, can you tell me if you managed t catch your ALSA bus from T4 to Pamplona ? I arrive next Friday midnight T1 and my ALSA overnight bus to Soria/Pamplona departs T4 at 01:15Am (so flight arrival to bus departure is 1.5 hrs if no flight delay). I am taking carry on only. How was it finding shuttle to T4 and how much time did it take? DOTTIE thanks for replying

 

[Anniesantiago]

The buses are waiting outside the airport and you can simply walk out the front door.
If you do not purchase a ticket ahead, it's simple to purchase one from the bus driver.
Check www.movelia.es to see time schedule.

 

[Mark Lee]

The buses are waiting outside the airport and you can simply walk out the front door.
If you do not purchase a ticket ahead, it's simple to purchase one from the bus driver.
Check www.movelia.es to see time schedule.

or from the ALSA kiosk right next to the exit doors out of T4 where you catch your bus...

 

[Anniesantiago]

or from the ALSA kiosk right next to the exit doors out of T4 where you catch your bus...
View attachment 32425

That's what I said.
The kiosk is not always there.
There have been several times I've purchased directly from the bus driver.

 

[Colette Z]

Hey thanks all but I have already bought a ticket online (reserved) my question is what is the REAL amount of time to get from arrivals T1 to the ALSA bus stop at T4 given between 23:30-2:30 the shuttle bus runs every 10 minutes but some say there isn't always a shuttle bus so you have to wait. I have 1 hour 15 minutes between landing and the bus departing from T4

 

[whariwharangi]

Hey thanks all but I have already bought a ticket online (reserved) my question is what is the REAL amount of time to get from arrivals T1 to the ALSA bus stop at T4 given between 23:30-2:30 the shuttle bus runs every 10 minutes but some say there isn't always a shuttle bus so you have to wait. I have 1 hour 15 minutes between landing and the bus departing from T4

Time appreciation needs to consider

-Plane arrival often means the time the plane touches the runway.
-In my experience, planes almost never arrive on time.
-Taxi time to the unload gate is on your time.
-deplane takes 30 minutes.
-baggage can take another 30 minutes (and more).
-customs is no-nonsense (unlike the impertinent quiz at Canada customs) but the line can be long.
-You should allow minimum 1 hour to get to the point of being ready for onward travel.
-Time needed to get oriented and get to the shuttle stop. You can save a bit of time by looking at the airport map. 5 minutes.
-shuttle runs every ten minutes. Assume you just missed it and have to wait the full ten. Travel time is 15 minutes ... then you have to get from the shuttle stop to the bus stop. ~25 minutes.
-The bus leaves on schedule (unlike here in Canada); you and your bags have to be on it before, not at, departure time.

In my estimation, 1:15 is not enough time. (even with only carry-on-luggage)

Aena Madrid Airport Shuttle
http://www.aena.es/en/madrid-barajas-airport/transport-between-terminals.html

 

[Colette Z]

Time appreciation needs to consider

-Plane arrival often means the time the plane touches the runway.
-In my experience, planes almost never arrive on time.
-Taxi time to the unload gate is on your time.
-deplane takes 30 minutes.
-baggage can take another 30 minutes (and more).
-customs is no-nonsense (unlike the impertinent quiz at Canada customs) but the line can be long.
-You should allow minimum 1 hour to get to the point of being ready for onward travel.
-Time needed to get oriented and get to the shuttle stop. You can save a bit of time by looking at the airport map. 5 minutes.
-shuttle runs every ten minutes. Assume you just missed it and have to wait the full ten. Travel time is 15 minutes ... then you have to get from the shuttle stop to the bus stop. ~25 minutes.
-The bus leaves on schedule (unlike here in Canada); you and your bags have to be on it before, not at, departure time.

In my estimation, 1:15 is not enough time. (even with only carry-on-luggage)

Aena Madrid Airport Shuttle
http://www.aena.es/en/madrid-barajas-airport/transport-between-terminals.html

Thanks Well one has to have faith and believe

 

[Givesome]

Hi Colette Zaharie I have bought tickets online for the ALSA bus from Madrid to Pamplona for 26 March 2017. Our flight will arrive at Madrid airport on Saturday 25 March 2017 at 19:50. The ALSA bus departs the next morning at 01:00 from Intercambiador de Avenida de America in the city. When I bought the tickets the itinerary showed that the bus departs from Intercambiador de Avenida de America via the airport to Soria.
Now I need to make a decision to travel from the airport to Intercambiador de Avenida de America where the bus departs from or wait for 5 hours and take the bus from the airport.

 

[Colette Z]

Hi Colette Zaharie I have bought tickets online for the ALSA bus from Madrid to Pamplona for 26 March 2017. Our flight will arrive at Madrid airport on Saturday 25 March 2017 at 19:50. The ALSA bus departs the next morning at 01:00 from Intercambiador de Avenida de America in the city. When I bought the tickets the itinerary showed that the bus departs from Intercambiador de Avenida de America via the airport to Soria.
Now I need to make a decision to travel from the airport to Intercambiador de Avenida de America where the bus departs from or wait for 5 hours and take the bus from the airport.

I would get on at the airport T4 you have lots of time but with so much free time why not go thru Madrid to bus station and see something. It may be impossible to change your ticket. However you could arrive at airport go to T4 ALSA kiosk and see if you can wait and get on there at (?) 1:15am (like me) and if they say no then head into Madrid to bus station

 

[whariwharangi]

Thanks Well one has to have faith and believe

May I suggest you make a 'Plan B'?

Good luck and buen camino.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I would get on at the airport T4 you have lots of time but with so much free time why not go thru Madrid to bus station and see something. It may be impossible to change your ticket. However you could arrive at airport go to T4 ALSA kiosk and see if you can wait and get on there at (?) 1:15am (like me) and if they say no then head into Madrid to bus station

There's really not much to see from the airport to the bus station.
But Madrid is a wonderful place to explore.
I'd suggest 3-4 days there!
Lots of inexpensive places to stay if you book early.

 

[jsalt]

May I suggest you make a 'Plan B'?

As Meat Loaf said: "You took the words right out of my mouth"

But what @whariwharangi said, it may be a good idea to have Plan B.
Jill

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Hey thanks all but I have already bought a ticket online (reserved) my question is what is the REAL amount of time to get from arrivals T1 to the ALSA bus stop at T4 given between 23:30-2:30 the shuttle bus runs every 10 minutes but some say there isn't always a shuttle bus so you have to wait. I have 1 hour 15 minutes between landing and the bus departing from T4

What was your experience like, T1 to T4 ALSA bus stop, in 2017?

I'm looking at doing just that next year. I arrive 8:45 AM, hope to catch 10:45 ALSA bus to Logrono. Any suggestions?

 

[Colette Z]

Hello @rappahannock_rev Father, it worked perfectly. I purchased my ALSA ticket online (overnight bus to Pamplona, plus a box breakfast was included). The FREE shuttle between T1 and T4 is every 10-15 minutes, takes max 15 minutes (if you get on at T1, T4 is the last stop). Finding the ALSA bus stop at T4 is a bit tricky but just ask once you arrive on the shuttle.The buses line up in one area. Your 2 hour time interval after arriving is sufficient for you to NOT rush or panic. I do recommend buying your ALSA ticket online and reserve a single seat so you can sleep. ULTREIA & buen camino Father!

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Hello @rappahannock_rev Father, it worked perfectly. I purchased my ALSA ticket online (overnight bus to Pamplona, plus a box breakfast was included). The FREE shuttle between T1 and T4 is every 10-15 minutes, takes max 15 minutes (if you get on at T1, T4 is the last stop). Finding the ALSA bus stop at T4 is a bit tricky but just ask once you arrive on the shuttle.The buses line up in one area. Your 2 hour time interval after arriving is sufficient for you to NOT rush or panic. I do recommend buying your ALSA ticket online and reserve a single seat so you can sleep. ULTREIA & buen camino Father!

Thank you for your prompt reply! And that's just what I needed to hear!

I've used ALSA buses occasionally in the past, and have always been very satisfied with them.

Pax