Bus Tickets in Spain..pre-purchase or not?

[ksam]

Ok, I have done the deed. I've booked a flight on the 10th of May. It's into Madrid. I'd like to start in SJPP. SO, I've been perusing bus info to Pamplona and then beyond. Wondering what some of my more experienced friends here have to say regarding buying the tickets ahead of time. Or are there usually enough seats and nothing to worry about?

Mucho Gracias, one nervous Perigrina! Karin

 

[peregrina2000]

Congratulations, Karin, I bet you are very excited!

I checked this out recently for a friend who doesn't speak much Spanish and is arriving three days before you, and the train fare is not much more than bus and much shorter. Bus is at least 5 and up to 7 hours and about 29 euros. Train is a little more than 3 hours and 35 euros. But maybe you like buses, I'm not trying to dissuade you, just tell you the options in case you didn't know.

I have taken the bus from Madrid to Pamplona, and the bus leaves from the Avda. Americas bus station, which is very convenient from the airport. There's a city bus that goes straight there, with no or just a few stops. I don't know if you're planning to spend time in Madrid or just get going right away as soon as you land at Barajas, but there might also be an option of getting a bus right at the airport, but I haven't checked into that.

And to answer your question about buying tickets -- there are frequent buses between Madrid and Pamplona, at least every couple of hours, and I have bought my ticket as late as 15 minutes before departure without a problem. So I'd say if it's a weekday, non-holiday, you shouldn't have a problem.

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[sillydoll]

An advantage of buying your ticket 15 days in advance is that you can get a 25% discount every day except Friday and Sunday.
Unless you have a Spanish credit card you will have to use a PayPal account to pay for the tickets.
I entered in 15 names, passport numbers and seat numbers three times before I realised that the website wouldn't accept my credit card. I ended up paying for the ticket through PayPal and got the group discount of 30% which was a huge saving on 15 tickets.
http://www.alsa.es

 

[ksam]

Sil, thanks, unfortunately...I don't have two weeks!! I'm actually outta here in 10 days and a wake up! It was a matter of being able to go when ever the best price was available. I nearly had a ticket for the same flight for even less two weeks ago, but was still waiting on the grandbaby. Now that she's arrived and growing like a weed, I'm safe to move about. Guess I will buy ahead any how...just to have it taken care of and out of the way.

Have you ever done the train from SDC to Madrid? I'm thinking this looks to be a good option as it saves a night in a refugio or hotel!

 

[sillydoll]

I have taken the Hotel Tren to Madrid from Santiago. It gets in at about 7h30am and our flights only leave at midnight so its a long day in Madrid. Also it costs much more than the Ryanair flight which can be as low as 25euro.

 

[ksam]

Thanks for getting back to me Sil. I totally understand what your saying about the long day there! Fortunately my flight leaves around mid day so it really isn't too long. But...I will be checking Ryanair when I get closer. That way I can plan a little more precisely. Good God it's close now!! :shock: