buying a ticket for the Alsa bus and cheap hotels in Leon

[marigold]

Hi, I am starting my Camino this year in Leon and I intend to get a bus from either Madrid or Asturias airports.(I'm flying from London). I don't want to buy a ticket online because often planes get delayed, and then I'd lose the money (it's about 40 E from Madrid on the 15.00). Does anyone know if it's possible to buy a ticket on the bus? I don't think it is - I've always bought them from a ticket booth before.
So then I thought it would be better to go from Oviedo because it's nearer. I've just found out that I can get a bus from the airport to Leon. But does anyone know if there is a place to buy a bus ticket at the airport (Asturias airport)?
This all seems quite complicated. Then there is the problem of arriving late in Leon. The earliest connection I can get doesn't get in until 20.05 - which would maybe be too late to get a place in an albergue. I can't book a place in either the convent or the municipal can I?
I spent ages looking for cheap hotels online, but I couldn't find anything under 33 E.
Sorry to be rambling on! My questions are: can I buy a long distance Alsa ticket on the bus or do I have to buy it in advance? Is there a place to buy a ticket at Madrid or Asturias airport? Is there any way to book a place at an albergue in Leon? Can you recommend a cheap hotel that I can book in advance (with single rooms) Thank you

 

[Paddyc83]

I'm in the same boat I'm arriving in Madrid and want to get the train or bus to Leon spend the night there and get bus to Augosta the next day to start walking

 

[Deleted member 3000]

If there are seats available on the bus at the Madrid airport, the driver will sell you a ticket. I don't know about Oviedo. You cannot book the albergues in Leon. You can get a room close to 33 E, but I don't think I have seen one for less.

 

[peregrina2000]

Actually, the place I've stayed in Leon and highly recommend, Pension Blanca, has single rooms with bath for 27 and single rooms with a shared bath (spotless, shared by two or three rooms I think) for 22. Highly recommended, and located in easy walking distance from bus or train station.

Here's what I said about it in another post:

... the Pension Blanca. http://www.pensionblanca.com/default.asp I wanted to give a special shout out for the last one, because it is very pilgrim friendly, includes breakfast in the 27 euro single room price, has a computer in the little gathering room, does laundry for 5 euros wash and dry, and allows pilgrims to use the kitchen for cooking and/or just storing stuff in the frig. Very clean. The owner is a very hard working and kind woman, Blanca. Things have been tough in the tourist industry, I hope she makes it.

The location is about 10 minutes from the cathedral on the main street that goes to the train station, about the same distance from the camino arrow at the parador as the albergue.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Said to be $32, so about 27 Euro:

Hostal Casco Antiguo
Calle del Cardenal Landázuri, 11
24003 León, Spain
987 07 40 00

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Also, consider flying into Valladolid (RyanAir and Air Europa, I think... and Iberia/Spanair). It is a lot closer to Leon than Madrid or Asturias, and there are plenty of bus and train links -- I am pretty sure the Leon bus stops right at the airport.

 

[sillydoll]

Flights are from Stansted to (Valladolid) Leon for about £70.
There are regular buses from the airport to the city.

 

[marigold]

Thanks for your replies. I emailed the Turismo and they said that from Asturias airport I have to get one bus to Oviedo, and then another bus to Leon. I can buy a ticket in Oviedo. (Letting you know in case someone else needs the info).
Thanks for the hotel info. I have a few choices now

 

[Dooze]

I cant find flights form Madrid to Leon. are they not flying daily. Any idea of cost. One way?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Iberia/Air Nostrum has one evening flight connecting through Barcelona that takes about twelve hours! It is $276. That is it...

 

[whariwharangi]

I cant find flights form Madrid to Leon. are they not flying daily. Any idea of cost. One way?

Leon is not well served by air. You are advised to take the train or the bus from Madrid.

If you take into account check in and security ... bus or train is more time efficient.

Leon Airport
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Leon/en/

 

[Dooze]

Leon is not well served by air. You are advised to take the train or the bus from Madrid.

If you take into account check in and security ... bus or train is more time efficient.

Leon Airport
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Leon/en/

Thankyou, I see an ALSA bus in the afternoon but not in the morning? Are there morning buses?

 

[Dooze]

Thankyou, I see an ALSA bus in the afternoon but not in the morning? Are there morning buses?

do you suggest Bus or train? I will be sleeping close to the airport on the night of the 9th and want to head to leon on the morning of the 10th.

 

[whariwharangi]

I like the train. I would suggest your decision bus or train is based on your timings.

I note there are buses leaving for Leon almost every hour during the day however not many of them stop at the airport. Most of them are leaving from Madrid Estacion Sur.

 

[Dooze]

I like the train. I would suggest your decision bus or train is based on your timings.

I note there are buses leaving for Leon almost every hour during the day however not many of them stop at the airport. Most of them are leaving from Madrid Estacion Sur.

Aha..The answer..I will get to Madrid Estacion! Thanks

 

[peregrina2000]

The Estación Sur is not in a central part of Madrid, nor is it in one of the nicest parts of the city (I´m not suggesting danger here, just aesthetics).

I agree with our transportation maven whariwharangi on the train vs. bus decision. Trains leave from Chamartín station, which is a very quick ride on a commuter train from the airport. There are three direct morning trains at 7:45, 10:30 and 11:05, all taking about three hours. Lots of cheap tickets available for the 1th, with the lowest being 18 €. bus tickets are all at least 25€, with the ride taking at least 3.5 hours.

Buen Camino, Laurie

 

[whariwharangi]

2012 Madrid Airport to Estacion Sur de Autobuses de Madrid

Estacion Sur de Autobuses de Madrid is located near the Méndez Álvaro Metro Station. Take line 8 from Barajas airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Colombia; line 9 to Avenida de America; and, line 6 to Méndez Álvaro. Exit the Metro to find the bus station.

Estacion Sur de Autobuses de Madrid
http://www.estacionautobusesmadrid.com/frameset.html

2013 Madrid Airport to bus station Moncloa

Madrid Moncloa is co-located with the Metro. Take line 8 from Barajas airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Nuevo Ministerios; and, line 6 to Moncloa.

Moncloa
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estación_de_Moncloa

 

[indyinmaine]

Hostal Guzman - quiet, central location and they'll do your laundry too! Wonderful and accommodating.

 

[rsvp125]

Wow relax and just turn up and see what happens (believe it or not everything will work out for the best!)

 

[Dooze]

Wow relax and just turn up and see what happens (believe it or not everything will work out for the best!)

Will I get by by not being able to speak spanish, I only know a few words.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Will I get by by not being able to speak spanish, I only know a few words.

You will get by, but it may be uncomfortable in the beginning. Smile. Use hand gestures. Keep it simple. Repeating a concept in increasingly complex English with lots of synonyms won't help. Louder is not clearer.

While it will be rare to get a clerk who speaks English, they are all familiar with selling tickets to foreigners. Say the name of your destination with a por favor, and they will know what you want. For trains the response may be to ask for the class level of your seat. Look at the renfe.com site before you go and familiarize yourself with the choices. Turista class is most common. The bus is just one level of service for the particular bus (there are premium buses, though). It is safe to hold out some money and let the clerk take the correct fare. That works on regional and local buses as well.

Relax and realize that part of your experience is to be bewildered. It can be fun if you don't make a crisis out of it.

 

[Dooze]

You will get by, but it may be uncomfortable in the beginning. Smile. Use hand gestures. Keep it simple. Repeating a concept in increasingly complex English with lots of synonyms won't help. Louder is not clearer.

While it will be rare to get a clerk who speaks English, they are all familiar with selling tickets to foreigners. Say the name of your destination with a por favor, and they will know what you want. For trains the response may be to ask for the class level of your seat. Look at the renfe.com site before you go and familiarize yourself with the choices. Turista class is most common. The bus is just one level of service for the particular bus (there are premium buses, though). It is safe to hold out some money and let the clerk take the correct fare. That works on regional and local buses as well.

Relax and realize that part of your experience is to be bewildered. It can be fun if you don't make a crisis out of it.

Thanks Falcon. I will try expand my knowledge a bit before I come.

 

[Al the optimist]

Say "Quiero un billete (Tourista/Preferente) ida solo a .... (destination) por favor" - I want a one way (Tourist/Preference class)m ticket to .... please. The "Tourista/Preferente" bit only if booking a train. ida= one way, Ida y Vuelta = return.

 

[Dooze]

Say "Quiero una billet (Tourista/Preferente) ida solo a .... (destination) por favor" - I want a one way (Tourist/Preference class)m ticket to .... please. The "Tourista/Preferente" bit only if booking a train. ida= one way, Ida y Vuelta = return.

Gracias

 

[rsvp125]

Yes. I don't know any Spanish either , and the bus companies don't employ anyone with any languages (go figure!).
But the timetables will be posted in the window and you can always write down the date , destination and time you need. It's amazing how easy it is the communicate almost anything given context...Buon Camino! (I agree it is a bit daunting: but you will survive it!)