Disruption on Train Line to Madrid?

[Edie]

Thank you in advance for your help. I planned to book tickets on Renfe to travel from Santiago de C to Madrid this July but someone told me there is rail construction and to consider flying instead. Does anyone know the status of the rail line between S de C and Madrid?

 

[Tincatinker]

There is no, direct, rail line between Madrid and St JdC. Nor can you fly there. Its a small French town close to the border with Spain. The nearest direct rail links would be Pamplona or Irun. The nearest airports would be Biarritz, San Sebastian or Bilbao.

Train times and tickets will not be published on the www.Renfe.com website until 60 days before departure.

 

[grayland]

I think the OP was asking about Renfe from Santiago to Madrid...not St. Jean.

 

[naplesdon]

Tinc, are we on the same page? The OP was asking about SdC to Mad and you are responding SJPdP from Mad. Is there more to this thread?

 

[Edie]

Yes, I’m asking about taking a train from Santiago de C to Madrid. Thank you.

 

[grayland]

There was an overnight train to Madrid from Santiago. I understand (no personal experience) that this has now been discontinued. A recent thread on this subject advised that a flight from Santiago was now the best choice. Maybe others with more recent experience can advise.

 

[Tincatinker]

Oh dear. As I referred in another thread tonight - I've lost my glasses. No excuse for not reading the question though. I should have got closer to the screen

Apologies for creating confusion.

 

[AndrewDavOz]

Just try booking a seat for a trip next week. Any current problems with the track should loom into view immediately.

 

[jcat]

I just checked a couple of dates on Renfe for May, and everything seems to be normal on the SDC-MAD route.

 

[Edie]

Oh dear. As I referred in another thread tonight - I've lost my glasses. No excuse for not reading the question though. I should have got closer to the screen

Apologies for creating confusion.

No worries!

 

[naplesdon]

Normally if there is a problem on the rails that is NOT labor related, the rail company provides a bus service to transport passengers from Point A to Point B to continue their trip.

 

[lt56ny]

Thank you in advance for your help. I planned to book tickets on Renfe to travel from Santiago de C to Madrid this July but someone told me there is rail construction and to consider flying instead. Does anyone know the status of the rail line between S de C and Madrid?

I just checked Iberia Airlines. I have no idea when you are leaving SDC to go to Madrid but there are direct flights available for many days in July; SDC-Madrid for as little as $28US. Unless you really want to take the train, I would definitely check this out and book your flight now.

 

[Chris Gi]

Thank you in advance for your help. I planned to book tickets on Renfe to travel from Santiago de C to Madrid this July but someone told me there is rail construction and to consider flying instead. Does anyone know the status of the rail line between S de C and Madrid?

Last spring we got a fast train from SdC to Madrid. It left early in the morning (around 6) and got into Madrid by midday. I love traveling by train in Europe

 

[gloria lowe]

The train is more scenic and you don't have to go thru all the security part. Much more relaxing.

 

[AndrewDavOz]

I’ve tried to book one myself, taking my own advice, and found the only option offered is a bus trip of 8-9 hours. Does that mean the majority of the journey is currently on the bus? Makes the flight option more attractive if so.

 

[paddington]

I’ve tried to book one myself, taking my own advice, and found the only option offered is a bus trip of 8-9 hours. Does that mean the majority of the journey is currently on the bus? Makes the flight option more attractive if so.

There are several trains daily from Santiago to Madrid (Chamratin station). Not sure when you are travelling, There currently seems to be a substantial delay in Renfe loading the available trains to their schedule for May 24 and beyond. This may be due to early May construction along the route. Below is the link to the Renfe site for the Santiago to Madrid route. You can look at Mid-May travel dates to see all of the available trains when everything is running . No one seems to know when the trains for May 24 and beyond will show up on the Rende schedule. I am going the other direction, and I went ahead and booked a ticket on the bus which is refundable up to a couple of days prior to departure. I may switch to the train if it becomes available on my May 25 travel date.

Vhttps://venta.renfe.com/vol/search.do?c=_bNAB

 

[AndrewDavOz]

Thanks @paddington. I will travel in October so won’t be able to book until I know when I am ready to depart from Santiago. But seeing the schedule as it exists this week is useful. I was actually selecting the wrong station in Madrid, so when selecting Chamratin station everything makes more sense. (Your link was slightly corrupted by the V from your paste - I know that problem!)
Andrew