I’ve moved these posts to a separate thread, because I think it’s an issue that will have an impact on peregrinos for many years to come.
It was confusing finding the toilets and so I can understand when people miss them. You have to walk outside the station building, past the Burger King and keep going around that side and eventually there is a confusing sign that seems to point to a lift lobby. After you enter the lobby then behind you are the turnstiles that don't take credit cards. A one Euro coin is required.
I know that Chamartín is undergoing huge renovations, but I’m glad to hear that the one-euro bathroom is still in operation. I remember that when I closed the door to my stall, a tape of birds chirping started playing. Extremely clean. Not the kind of bathrooms US travelers are used to seeing in bus or train stations.
I think some forum members will be interested to know, if you don’t already, about the hugely ambitious plans for Chamartín and the whole area.
These current renovations are part of making the AVE connection between Atocha and Chamartín, so that there can be AVE transit through Madrid. Once that is done, though, there’s a redevelopment plan that is going to totally transform that whole area of Madrid. It’s called
“Madrid Nuevo Norte.”
This plan involves putting all of Chamartín and all of the tracks (212,000 square meters of them) under ground. This opens up a huge chunk of land, the last available spot for a major development within the territory of the city of Madrid. It’s going to take years and years and years. I know there are a few train junkies out there, and some interested in urban development — this website in English seems very complete to me with a lot of the details.
Just a heads up to anyone whose camino plans take them through Chamartín. There’s going to be a lot of construction and re-routing for the untold next number of years, so it’s probably a good idea to make travel plans with a bit of leeway time built in if you will be going to or through Chamartín.