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Advice,,, Madrid Airport to Madrid Train Station

Cliff175

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
April / May Camino Frances 2013
Portuguese Camino May of 2014
St. jean to pomplona, - Santander to Oviedo, SAN Salvador to Leon , to Santiago in 2015
2017 March -- VDLP Seville to Santiago
I’m arriving Madrid Airport August 24 at 0620 ,,
Im looking for advice to travel from airport to Main Train Station,,,
Appreciate any suggestions
Gracias
Cliff
 
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I’m arriving Madrid Airport August 24 at 0620 ,,
Im looking for advice to travel from airport to Main Train Station,,,
Appreciate any suggestions
Gracias
Cliff
If you are taking the train to the North of Spain, you'll be looking for Chamartín Station. There is a pretty good subway network that connects it with the airport. That will be the cheapest way to make it. Just follow the subway map and make sure to buy something called "tarjeta multi" and "billete sencillo" (a card and a single ticket).
Here you are the map .

You'll be using lines 8 and 10.
Buen camino!!
 
I’m arriving Madrid Airport August 24 at 0620 ,,
Im looking for advice to travel from airport to Main Train Station,,,
Appreciate any suggestions
Gracias
Cliff
If, on the other hand, you’re going to Atocha; take the yellow Aerobus. €5; cash only; every 20 minutes.
 
If you are taking the train to the North of Spain, you'll be looking for Chamartín Station. There is a pretty good subway network that connects it with the airport. That will be the cheapest way to make it. Just follow the subway map and make sure to buy something called "tarjeta multi" and "billete sencillo" (a card and a single ticket).
Here you are the map .

You'll be using lines 8 and 10.
Buen camino!!
In June, my train to Pamplona left from Atocha Station.
 
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I’m arriving Madrid Airport August 24 at 0620 ,,
Im looking for advice to travel from airport to Main Train Station,,,
Appreciate any suggestions
Gracias
Cliff
I took a commuter train from the main train station to the intl airport. My train ticket from Santiago included that extra ticket. It worked out great. From there I caught a shuttle to my hotel. I know you're going to other direction, but either way it is an easy train ride.
 
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Thank you all for your support,,,
 
In June, my train to Pamplona left from Atocha Station.
Same here last September (2021). I took the yellow bus mentioned by Henrythedog above. The train from Atocha to Zaragoza was high-speed, but the connection from Zaragoza to Pamplona was not - don't know if that's still the case.
 
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I’m arriving Madrid Airport August 24 at 0620 ,,
Im looking for advice to travel from airport to Main Train Station,,,
Appreciate any suggestions
Gracias
Cliff
Depending on which terminal you land in you will need to find your way to Terminal 4 which is where the train station is. There is a free shuttle bus that goes via each terminal and will drop you at Terminal 4. Charmartin is I think 3 stops from there on the overland train.

One thing to note, that I hadn't realised, if you are leaving from Charmatin to go north then your luggage is security checked so leave plenty of time for your connecting train. When I caught the 7.08 train to Oviedo in July there was a long queue of people to have their bag checked and a rush to get the train. Also, it was two trains attached together. I had a seat in carriage 1 but there wasn't a coach 1 in the front train. Staff pointed me at the rear train. I wasn't sure this was right so kept checking and eventually a staff member said that a load of of us where in the wrong train, gave us new seat numbers and we all rushed up the Platform at Leon to get on the front train for Oviedo.
 
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Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

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Chamartin services the northwestern area of Spain, with Atocha servicing most of the rest of the country, including all the high speed lines regardless of location.
That's not correct, some of the high speed lines depart from Chamartin, for example to Salamanca.
If you have a RENFE ticket for a high speed train departing from Madrid, it includes the Cercanias (above ground) connecting train/s, such as from the airport Terminal 4. Use the QR code to open the gate to the platform (or ask a station employee if you need help)
 
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That's not correct, some of the high speed lines depart from Chamartin, for example to Salamanca.
If you have a RENFE ticket for a high speed train departing from Madrid, it includes the Cercanias (above ground) connecting train/s, such as from the airport Terminal 4. Use the QR code to open the gate to the platform (or ask a station employee if you need help)
you may be correct, though Salamanca is not considered to be on a high-speed line.
 
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I’m arriving Madrid Airport August 24 at 0620 ,,
Im looking for advice to travel from airport to Main Train Station,,,
Appreciate any suggestions
Gracias
Cliff
It took 2 hours + to clear passport control in the non EU line (grr Brexit) in June and all our plans for bus transfer went out of the window.. however taxi queue system at the airport was very well organised and Chamartin only 10mins or so away.. wish I’d known that this was a good back up plan as I stood fretting in the passport queue thinking I would miss the train. €30 btw. And yes, security checking of luggage at station added about another 10mins.
 
It took 2 hours + to clear passport control in the non EU line (grr Brexit) in June and all our plans for bus transfer went out of the window.. however taxi queue system at the airport was very well organised and Chamartin only 10mins or so away.. wish I’d known that this was a good back up plan as I stood fretting in the passport queue thinking I would miss the train. €30 btw. And yes, security checking of luggage at station added about another 10mins.
I guess it varies. No more than a couple of minutes the other day and in several other visits recently.
 
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I’m arriving Madrid Airport August 24 at 0620 ,,
Im looking for advice to travel from airport to Main Train Station,,,
Appreciate any suggestions
Gracias
Cliff
I presume you mean Chamartín if you are going north? The best thing is to buy your long distance train ticket in advance. This includes free travel on the local trains at either end of your journey. You can then get the cercanias train from the airport station to Chamartín free of charge using the long distance ticket to access the platform. It is easier than any other way and takes you directly to the interior of the station.
 
I presume you mean Chamartín if you are going north? The best thing is to buy your long distance train ticket in advance. This includes free travel on the local trains at either end of your journey. You can then get the cercanias train from the airport station to Chamartín free of charge using the long distance ticket to access the platform. It is easier than any other way and takes you directly to the interior of the station.

I will arrive Madrid Airport (Adolfo Suarez) on Sept 15th at 10am from Dublin. There is a train to Oviedo from Chamartin at 11.10am. Would I have sufficient time to get from airport to station to get this train assuming no flight delays.
Thanks. John
 
I will arrive Madrid Airport (Adolfo Suarez) on Sept 15th at 10am from Dublin. There is a train to Oviedo from Chamartin at 11.10am. Would I have sufficient time to get from airport to station to get this train assuming no flight delays.
Thanks. John
I will arrive Madrid Airport (Adolfo Suarez) on Sept 15th at 10am from Dublin. There is a train to Oviedo from Chamartin at 11.10am. Would I have sufficient time to get from airport to station to get this train assuming no flight delays.
Thanks. John
Are you checking luggage in?
 
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I will arrive Madrid Airport (Adolfo Suarez) on Sept 15th at 10am from Dublin. There is a train to Oviedo from Chamartin at 11.10am. Would I have sufficient time to get from airport to station to get this train assuming no flight delays.
Thanks. John
It’s unlikely in my opinion. Arrival time is ‘wheels down’; not passengers off. Even assuming hand-baggage only.

Once disembarked; 5-10m to immigration.
Immigration (simple enough ex Dublin; but not instant)
Find metro; buy ticket, wait for train.
20m transit.
Exit metro, find departures (different levels) at Chamartin.
There is security at Chamartin pre-boarding to consider also.

I don’t think you’ll miss it by much if that’s any consolation.
 
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It’s unlikely in my opinion. Arrival time is ‘wheels down’; not passengers off. There is security at Chamartin pre-boarding to consider also. I don’t think you’ll miss it by much if that’s any consolation.
I think arrival time is time you arrive at stand as opposed to ‘wheels down’ ( in the same way that departure time is ‘pushback’ not ‘wheels up’) but agree it’s tight and depends how long to ‘deplane’. Half a chance if hand luggage only as trains to Chamartin are very regular from airport but will need luck at passport control!!
 
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No I will pay to take rucksack on board.
I have never done it this way but I think you can take direct train to Chamartin from T4. Takes 15 mins and trains run every 15 mins.

I got through Madrid airport very quickly last week at approx. the same time using an Irish passport tho non EU got through equally as quick.
 
I think arrival time is time you arrive at stand as opposed to ‘wheels down’ ( in the same way that departure time is ‘pushback’ not ‘wheels up’) but agree it’s tight and depends how long to ‘deplane’. Half a chance if hand luggage only as trains to Chamartin are very regular from airport but will need luck at passport control!!
I think you’re correct; although on my one and only (ever) Ryanair flight I’m certain they sounded a trumpet and declared victory when we passed into Spanish airspace.
 
I will arrive Madrid Airport (Adolfo Suarez) on Sept 15th at 10am from Dublin. There is a train to Oviedo from Chamartin at 11.10am. Would I have sufficient time to get from airport to station to get this train assuming no flight delays.
Thanks. John
If you are on Ryanair there's no chance. You arrive at terminal 1 and to get the free train you have to get the internal airport bus to terminal 4 which is where the station is. If you take the metro you have three metros to get. Also on long distance trains you have to arrive early as they scan your luggage. You'll have to get the train at 3pm.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
If you are on Ryanair there's no chance. You arrive at terminal 1 and to get the free train you have to get the internal airport bus to terminal 4 which is where the station is. If you take the metro you have three metros to get. Also on long distance trains you have to arrive early as they scan your luggage. You'll have to get the train at 3pm.
Thanks to all for replies. I can see that even with Aer Lingus, it might work and it might not so to avoid stress, I have decided to travel a day early. My plan is to attend Mass in Oviedo Cathedral to see the Sudario de Oviedo. So I will travel on 14th and start walking on 16th.
 
From T1 do yourself a favor and take a taxi. Remember The Cornonavirus is still around. Splurge and take a taxi rather than hopping on a shuttle bus to T4, then taking the metro to your train station. Is it worth it? Only you can decide!
 
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From T1 do yourself a favor and take a taxi. Remember The Cornonavirus is still around. Splurge and take a taxi rather than hopping on a shuttle bus to T4, then taking the metro to your train station. Is it worth it? Only you can decide!

I think some forum members shy away from taxis because Madrid airport taxi drivers did have a pretty bad reputation when it came to foreigners. There is now a fixed price 30€ fare for an airport to Madrid ride, which eliminates that problem. (@J Willhaus confirmed last month that the price was still 30€)

When you tally up the cost of your camino, it seems like a pretty insignificant cost and can be the difference between making or missing your flight or train!
 
I think some forum members shy away from taxis because Madrid airport taxi drivers did have a pretty bad reputation when it came to foreigners. There is now a fixed price 30€ fare for an airport to Madrid ride, which eliminates that problem. (@J Willhaus confirmed last month that the price was still 30€)

When you tally up the cost of your camino, it seems like a pretty insignificant cost and can be the difference between making or missing your flight or train!
Thank you. We plan to take a taxi to the downtown and stay in Madrid for a couple of days before heading to Ferrol. I have been searching for this information, and I only was able to find info from Sept 2020. I knew I should have looked at the forum first!!! 🙃
 
I will arrive Madrid Airport (Adolfo Suarez) on Sept 15th at 10am from Dublin. There is a train to Oviedo from Chamartin at 11.10am. Would I have sufficient time to get from airport to station to get this train assuming no flight delays.
Thanks. John
For what it's worth, it appears that Alsa has a bus to Oviedo, leaving the Airport Terminal 4 at 11:15. Might be an option. It takes 6 hrs 15 minutes. My experience on daytime Alsa buses has been favorable, though my longest trip duration was about 4 hours.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
For what it's worth, it appears that Alsa has a bus to Oviedo, leaving the Airport Terminal 4 at 11:15. Might be an option. It takes 6 hrs 15 minutes. My experience on daytime Alsa buses has been favorable, though my longest trip duration was about 4 hours.
Been on Alsa alot in recent times. Long trips too. Very good!
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.

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