• For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)

Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Madrid airport to train station

jdpiguet

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Past? Not enough.
Future? Sure!
Hi all,
How many time should I count from Madrid airport to train station?
I will land with Iberia (T4?) at 14:25, is it realistic to book a train starting 16:28 from Chamartin?
Buen Camino,
Jacques-D.
 
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.
It's about 15 minutes and the train runs every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour. Depends on your arriving on time and any delays with your baggage.
 
Not sure where you are heading, but there are buses just outside of T4.
As far as time, I have always been able to get through Immigration and customs rather fast at MAD (I am from the USA). The trains to Chamartin are also just outside T4.
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
A caution: check that your train really does leave from Chamartin. In November trains north to Oviedo / Burgos / Irun were departing Principe Pio because of "trabajos" at Chamartin. That said, I made the connection with time for a "solo & chupita" but it wasn't exactly relaxed.

Two hours from "wheels on the ground" to "bum on the seat" is always going to be tight. Buena Suerte ;)
 
Hi all,
How many time should I count from Madrid airport to train station?
I will land with Iberia (T4?) at 14:25, is it realistic to book a train starting 16:28 from Chamartin?
Buen Camino,
Jacques-D.

The big 'IF' is when your plane actually arrives. In my experience, planes rarely arrive on time and they count touchdown on the runway as 'arrival'. Taxiing and deplaning is on your time. You'd need to allow for at least 1 hour to deplane, collect bags and go through customs. Time is now 1525. You have 20 minutes to find and get to the Cercanias station.

Renfe Cercanias Leaves approximately every 15 minutes and has travel time of 16 minutes. You'd need several minutes to orient yourself at Chamartin. Realistically this means catching 1547 train with 1601 train as final gasp. You'd have to have tickets for the train in hand.

It might work if everything goes like clockwork but Murphy's law applies. I would allow more time but I don't like getting stressed about short time windows. You should have a plan 'B'

Here is Madrid Airport site. See the map so you know where to go. http://www.aena.es/en/madrid-barajas-airport/arrivals.html
 
You have to be on the train some minutes before departingtime. There is also a security you have to send your luggage through. If you have a train ticket from Chamartin you can get a free ticket on the Cercanias from the airport to Chamartin / Atocha.
I would say that you need 15 minutes as a minimum at the station from arrival with the C to get into your next train. If you need to use a ticketmaschine or go into ticketoffice, where you most often have to wait, you need more time.
I never arrive at T4 and dońt have to go through immigration, and take a taxi from T 1. Still I would like to have more time. I have booked at Weare Chamartin hotel at the station a couple of times and found out that I could have reached an afternoon train, but since I am not a gambler...🙂
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Hi all,
How many time should I count from Madrid airport to train station?
I will land with Iberia (T4?) at 14:25, is it realistic to book a train starting 16:28 from Chamartin?
Buen Camino,
Jacques-D.
It is possible, if you have your tickets ahead of time, don't have to wait in line to get your ticket for the transport train, And like to run. My first year it would have never worked. But now that I've done it 8 times, I know exactly where to get my transport train ticket (there's a little office across from all the machines that people are waiting in line for.( I don't recommend it for someone that's never done it because the trains aren't well marked and the whole system is a little confusing. But what's the worst thing that could happen?
 
Not sure where you are heading, but there are buses just outside of T4.
As far as time, I have always been able to get through Immigration and customs rather fast at MAD (I am from the USA). The trains to Chamartin are also just outside T4.
The bus can be slow in rush hour. Took 1.5 hours, when I went mid pm...
 
The bus can be slow in rush hour. Took 1.5 hours, when I went mid pm...
I was meaning take a bus from MAD T4 to your starting point instead of the train. (ie: Pamplona)
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Thanks to all.
I changed my mind and reserved a flight landing at 09:00.
So I should have no worries now... ;)
BTW, starting point will be Sahagun, so no bus.
Buen Camino,
Jacques-D.
 

Most read last week in this forum

Last year made the mistake of travelling after the 500k walk to Porto and Barcelona and Cadaqués then the UK.(All amazing) but I was too tired to make the most of it. So this year I’m lucky...
I trying to purchase my one way ticket from Santiago de Compostela to Porto.I cannot find any info on bringing my luggage with me( a small carry on and a knapsack) anyone taken this bus? Can I...
Trying to determine best way from Madrid airport to Leon? Thank you
Beginning March 1, my husband and I walked from Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Astorga on the CF. Prior to our trip, I had contracted with Jacotrans to move our bags for 21 straight days...
Just saw a press release from Correos announcing that they will be offering a left luggage service at all of their 2,000+ offices throughout Spain. For up to 15 days at a time...
Hi All, I have booked a walking week away from home arriving in Porto on 9th May at 19.10 (all being well). My initial intention was travel to Vigo by train and walk to Santiago, returning to...

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top