Train Ticket

[Kalimera]

Hey all,
I plan to catch the train from Madrid airport to Madrid-Charmartin train station. Will have to stay in the train station area overnight as I don’t think I will make the last train to Sarria.
The next day I would board the train to Sarria.
This may sound silly but does anyone know if I purchase (1) or ( 2) tickets?

(1) -Madrid Airport to Sarria with a hop on/ hop off @ Mad-Charmatin, resuming travel the next day

OR

(2) - Madrid airport to Madrid-Charmatin and another ticket from Madrid-Charmatin to Sarria.

Since we don’t have a train system where I live, just trying to navigate my way around

Thank you so much!

 

[VNwalking]

Two.
Buy the Madrid-Sarria one online (a site like Trainline is easier to navigate than Renfe), and then the one from the airport into town in person. There are frequent trains.

That's what I'd do anyway. Others who have done this more times than I have may have better ideas.

 

[Kalimera]

Two.
Buy the Madrid-Sarria one online (a site like Trainline is easier to navigate than Renfe), and then the one from the airport into town in person. There are frequent trains.

That's what I'd do anyway. Others who have done this more times than I have may have better ideas.

Thank you so much!

 

[trecile]

When I've had a ticket from Chamartin station to Pamplona, but took the metro from Sol to Chamartin I went to the information/help desk and they gave me a free ticket to Chamartin. I don't know if that works when you are traveling on two different days though.

 

[Kalimera]

When I've had a ticket from Chamartin station to Pamplona, but took the metro from Sol to Chamartin I went to the information/help desk and they gave me a free ticket to Chamartin. I don't know if that works when you are traveling on two different days though.

Thank you

 

[alexwalker]

Rome2Rio

Discover how to get anywhere by searching plane, train, bus, car and ferry routes

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[Paul McAmino]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.
When you buy your Renfe ticket to Sarria and print it, you will likely find in the upper left a number that will guarantee a free ticket for the 11 minute train ride to Chamartin. This train is called the Cercanias, a local system that serves Madrid.
There is a ticket booth I’ve used for this ticket in the airport near the entrance to the train station in the international terminal (T-4, I believe). They will sort you out if you ask Information for the Cercanias ticket booth. I found this easier than using ticketing machines.
Good luck, and buen Camino.
All the best,
Paul

 

[Kalimera]

Rome2Rio

Discover how to get anywhere by searching plane, train, bus, car and ferry routes

www.rome2rio.com

Thank you.

 

[Kalimera]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.
When you buy your Renfe ticket to Sarria and print it, you will likely find in the upper left a number that will guarantee a free ticket for the 11 minute train ride to Chamartin. This train is called the Cercanias, a local system that serves Madrid.
There is a ticket booth I’ve used for this ticket in the airport near the entrance to the train station in the international terminal (T-4, I believe). They will sort you out if you ask Information for the Cercanias ticket booth. I found this easier than using ticketing machines.
Good luck, and buen Camino.
All the best,
Paul

PERFECT!!! Thank you so very much. I love this forum

 

[TMcA]

Although my experience goes back several years, here is what I would do:

• Purchase plane ticket months in advance of flight to Madrid; price is usually cheaper if purchased then
• Check Trainline price to Sarria and evaluate flexibility of changing/cancelling your reservation from Trainline website
• Email Trainline and ask your question about airport to Chamartin leg, or
• Just buy the airport Chamartin ticket when you arrive...it'll probably be less than 10 euros and a miniscule amount compared to the total cost of your entire trip. There is a tourist information booth in the international terminal that can tell you how to purchase and use your Cercanias ticket

Be prepared to humbly ask for help, should it be the case, once you get to the train station, given that you have zero experience with trains and, I assume, with US subway line ticket use. Ie, how to pass through the turnstile with your ticket.

Trainline : Search, Compare & Buy Cheap Train Tickets

Trainline, your quick & easy way to book train tickets across Europe. ✓ Save 61% on UK Rail ✓ Live Train Times ✓ Save with a Railcard ✓ Get the app

www.thetrainline.com

 

[Kalimera]

Although my experience goes back several years, here is what I would do:

• Purchase plane ticket months in advance of flight to Madrid; price is usually cheaper if purchased then
• Check Trainline price to Sarria and evaluate flexibility of changing/cancelling your reservation from Trainline website
• Email Trainline and ask your question about airport to Chamartin leg, or
• Just buy the airport Chamartin ticket when you arrive...it'll probably be less than 10 euros and a miniscule amount compared to the total cost of your entire trip. There is a tourist information booth in the international terminal that can tell you how to purchase and use your Cercanias ticket

Be prepared to humbly ask for help, should it be the case, once you get to the train station, given that you have zero experience with trains and, I assume, with US subway line ticket use. Ie, how to pass through the turnstile with your ticket.

Trainline : Search, Compare & Buy Cheap Train Tickets

Trainline, your quick & easy way to book train tickets across Europe. ✓ Save 61% on UK Rail ✓ Live Train Times ✓ Save with a Railcard ✓ Get the app

www.thetrainline.com

Thank you! So excited as I leave next month and hope to walk to Finisterra

 

[gloria lowe]

I just took the train from the airport to Atocha station and it stopped at the Chamartin station. It cost 2.60€. You just place the little code thing on the spit on the machine and it lets you in.

 

[Kalimera]

I just took the train from the airport to Atocha station and it stopped at the Chamartin station. It cost 2.60€. You just place the little code thing on the spit on the machine and it lets you in.

Thank you.

 

[paddington]

Hey all,
I plan to catch the train from Madrid airport to Madrid-Charmartin train station. Will have to stay in the train station area overnight as I don’t think I will make the last train to Sarria.
The next day I would board the train to Sarria.
This may sound silly but does anyone know if I purchase (1) or ( 2) tickets?

(1) -Madrid Airport to Sarria with a hop on/ hop off @ Mad-Charmatin, resuming travel the next day

OR

(2) - Madrid airport to Madrid-Charmatin and another ticket from Madrid-Charmatin to Sarria.

Since we don’t have a train system where I live, just trying to navigate my way around

Thank you so much!

Your train ticket from charmatin to sarria will include a voucher number for a free ride on the commuter train from the airport to charmatin station. However, it is my understanding that that free code is only active 2-3 hours before the departure time of your train to sarria so it might not work for you. But not to worry as the commuter train is only a couple of euros. If you are able to use the voucher, you can enter the code into the ticket kiosk at the airport or ask someone to help you do that. There is a renfe information office near the commuter trains at the Madrid airport.
There is one direct train daily to sarria from Madrid charmatin station that leaves in the early afternoon and arrives in sarria in the early evening. There are a couple of other options that involve changing trains but I would avoid those if possible given your inexperience with trains, risk of missing your connection if the first train is delayed etc. Charmatin station is small and easy to navigate. There is a large board with the upcoming trains listed and it will show the platform # for each train. if you have to spend your first night in Madrid you could look at spending it near charmatin station to make your next day as straight forward as possible .
Not sure when you are traveling, As you probably know, renfe does not post their trains until 60-90 days prior to departure and not all trains are posted at the same time . The renfe site is sometimes difficult to manage. I have had good experiences with Raileurope.com
They do charge a small service fee. You can also set up an email alert on raileurope.com to let you know when your train has shown up on the schedule if you travel date is too far out in the future .
The commuter train is downstairs at terminal 4 of the airport. It runs about 4 times an hour and the ride from the airport to charmatin station takes about 15 minutes . The commuter train route begins at the airport and only goes one direction so you don’t have to worry about getting on a train heading in the wrong direction. It sounds more complicated than it is !

 

[Kalimera]

Your train ticket from charmatin to sarria will include a voucher number for a free ride on the commuter train from the airport to charmatin station. However, it is my understanding that that free code is only active 2-3 hours before the departure time of your train to sarria so it might not work for you. But not to worry as the commuter train is only a couple of euros. If you are able to use the voucher, you can enter the code into the ticket kiosk at the airport or ask someone to help you do that. There is a renfe information office near the commuter trains at the Madrid airport.
There is one direct train daily to sarria from Madrid charmatin station that leaves in the early afternoon and arrives in sarria in the early evening. There are a couple of other options that involve changing trains but I would avoid those if possible given your inexperience with trains, risk of missing your connection if the first train is delayed etc. Charmatin station is small and easy to navigate. There is a large board with the upcoming trains listed and it will show the platform # for each train. if you have to spend your first night in Madrid you could look at spending it near charmatin station to make your next day as straight forward as possible .
Not sure when you are traveling, As you probably know, renfe does not post their trains until 60-90 days prior to departure and not all trains are posted at the same time . The renfe site is sometimes difficult to manage. I have had good experiences with Raileurope.com
They do charge a small service fee. You can also set up an email alert on raileurope.com to let you know when your train has shown up on the schedule if you travel date is too far out in the future .
The commuter train is downstairs at terminal 4 of the airport. It runs about 4 times an hour and the ride from the airport to charmatin station takes about 15 minutes . The commuter train route begins at the airport and only goes one direction so you don’t have to worry about getting on a train heading in the wrong direction. It sounds more complicated than it is !

Thank you! That’s great information. I leave in a couple of weeks

 

[witsendwv]

I have only used Renfe to purchase several tickets over the last six years. The English webpage does default to Castellano when you decide to make a purchase, but a minimum knowledge of the language is needed to complete it. Paying with Paypal is the easiest for US residents, as I have found that at times the banks that have issued my credit/debit cards do not like to approve the foreign transactions. Buen camino, I only wish I were buying a ticket today!

 

[Anniesantiago]

Personally I'd just get my ticket there.
I do it all the time.