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Norian

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances. I walked from St Jean Pied de Port as far as Mansilla de las Mulas in (May 2019)
Hello. I'd like advice please on getting back to where I had to leave the Camino Frances in May this year. A friend and I started at St Jean-Pied-de-Port. Having walked approx. 450Km I stumbled on the walk to Mansilla de las Mulas and broke my wrist. Sadly I couldn't continue because of an extremely heavy plaster cast. I am in the process of planning to return on 18th Sept to complete the walk and would like to start from Mansilla de Las Mulas.

Unless anyone knows of a better route, I plan to fly from London Gatwick to Madrid then take the train to Leon. Apart from walking backwards on the Camino to M de las M I'd like to know if there is a cheap way to get back to the village. Looking forward to your replies.
 
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Hello. I'd like advice please on getting back to where I had to leave the Camino Frances in May this year. A friend and I started at St Jean-Pied-de-Port. Having walked approx. 450Km I stumbled on the walk to Mansilla de las Mulas and broke my wrist. Sadly I couldn't continue because of an extremely heavy plaster cast. I am in the process of planning to return on 18th Sept to complete the walk and would like to start from Mansilla de Las Mulas.

Unless anyone knows of a better route, I plan to fly from London Gatwick to Madrid then take the train to Leon. Apart from walking backwards on the Camino to M de las M I'd like to know if there is a cheap way to get back to the village. Looking forward to your replies.

ALSA Buses run from Leon to Mansilla all day long. Dirt cheap.

Big ALSA bus fan, myself!

 
Many thanks. I should have mentioned that I'd searched buses but came up blank. Having the name ALSA will help.
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
The walk between Mansilla and Leon is not the most attractive. Stay overnight in Leon and explore. Why not start from Leon, preferably at La Virgen del Camino to avoid suburban walking.
 
Yes, from the practical point of view you can go to Leon and bypass the Mansilla-Leon traject. But I can appreciate the idea of a "no #&! broken wrist will stop me, I want to restart exactly where I had to left, last time!". And I, personally, am partial to the idea of a "whole" Camino, with all parts, interesting or not (no discussion intended, just a personal thing).
There are many ALSA buses from Madrid Barajas T4 to Leon, where you can ask for the local bus to Mansilla -this will not be a problem. Or even use ALSA to get directly to Mansilla, but these runs make many stops. Go to https://www.alsa.es and choose what suits you better.
 
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.
Many thanks. I should have mentioned that I'd searched buses but came up blank. Having the ame ALSA will help.
Yes, from the practical point of view you can go to Leon and bypass the Mansilla-Leon traject. But I can appreciate the idea of a "no #&! broken wrist will stop me, I want to restart exactly where I had to left, last time!". And I, personally, am partial to the idea of a "whole" Camino, with all parts, interesting or not (no discussion intended, just a personal thing).
There are many ALSA buses from Madrid Barajas T4 to Leon, where you can ask for the local bus to Mansilla -this will not be a problem. Or even use ALSA to get directly to Mansilla, but these runs make many stops. Go to https://www.alsa.es and choose what suits you better.
Rome2Rio is also a good place to start for any journey, it will give you options and names of bus and train companies, airlines, etc.
Yes, from the practical point of view you can go to Leon and bypass the Mansilla-Leon traject. But I can appreciate the idea of a "no #&! broken wrist will stop me, I want to restart exactly where I had to left, last time!". And I, personally, am partial to the idea of a "whole" Camino, with all parts, interesting or not (no discussion intended, just a personal thing).
There are many ALSA buses from Madrid Barajas T4 to Leon, where you can ask for thee Albergur local bus tore really concerned about me and Mansilla -this will not be a problem. Or even use ALSA to get directly to Mansilla, but these runs make many stops. Go to https://www.alsa.es and choose what suits you better.

Thanks nidarosa, Fleur and Felipe for you replies. I will check out Rome2Rio. Apart from wanting to complete all the stages of the Camino as I originally set out to do I would like to return to Mansilla de las Mulas, to the hostel where I spent the night after breaking my wrist. The warm hearted couple who run Alberque Gaia were extremely caring and very kind to me.
 
Hi, I discovered why I had trouble when, earlier this month, I searched for buses to Mansilla de Las Mulas . I was searching for a bus in Sept and Alsa don't post their timetables far in advance, hence I kept getting a message saying "no service to that location".
 
Hi, I had to unexpectedly break my walk in the same location. Got to Leon then train to Madrid-Chamartin and flight back to Ireland. Look for the bus timetable a week or so from now. They don't very often change the schedule so it will give you an idea of what to get. Looking at the Time table for next Wednesday- evening bus 17:30, 18:00, 18:30 19:00. It is approx half an hour bus journey and costs€1.70. So it will depend on the time you arrive in Leon.
Buen Camino
 
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Thanks to all for previous advice on returning to Mansilla de Las Mula. I've another couple of queries I like your help with please. 1) When I arrive at Madrid airport, Terminal 1, on 1st Oct I need to take either a shuttle or train to Charmatin station for onward travel to Leon. Any views on which is the better option? How easy is it to find the location of the shuttle and of the train? 2) When I arrive at Leon station how easy is it to find the location of a bus stop/station/depot to catch a bus out to Mansilla de Las Mula? I'm hoping your advice will help me avoid going round in circles.
 
Another vote for ALSA bus. I used them several times on my Camino the last few weeks. It was always easy to buy tickets from their website and just hop on.

Buen Camino!
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
I would take the (extremely comfortable) ALSA bus from Terminal 4 at Barajas to Leon. Details here. There is a free and frequent shuttle bus connecting all 4 terminals.
When you get to Leon bus station, the bus to Mansilla de Las Mulas leaves from the same place. Details here.
Definitely the least stressful way of travelling. You can buy tickets online, or just turn up and pay.
Good luck!
 
@Glenshiro has solid info above.

If you take the bus from the Madrid airport T4, there is an ALSA desk where you can buy tickets for the bus. It's located just inside the door near the bus stop.
 
I appreciate your suggestions, thank you. I'd love a bus journey through Spain, unfortunately, the first ALSA bus available to me takes 05:15hrs, has 13 stops and arrives 18:45. The first available train takes 02:04 hrs and is only £5 more. So, any advice please on getting from Madrid Airport Terminal 1 to Charmatin?
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.

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