Getting from Madrid to Ferrol?

[KarinaH]

Sorry if this has been addressed ad nauseum, but I couldn't find it. (However, I think I could now give someone directions to SJPdP from several major European cities!)

My friend and I leave Belize the morning of 31 May to walk the Camino Inglés. The last leg of our international flights departs from London, arriving in Madrid at 7:20pm on 1 June. The last flight I see to Santiago departs at 7:50pm, which with baggage claim, Customs, and Immigration, is not doable, so we plan to overnight in Madrid.

We want to reach Santiago early enough the next day to store our shared checked bag at Casa Ivar, and then head to Ferrol to start the trek back the next morning.

What is the best way to get to Santiago from Madrid? Plane or train? I don't want to book a hotel conveniently next to the airport if it will mean a very inconvenient trip to the train in the morning. And while I can't say "price is no object," I don't necessarily need the bargain basement price, either. Convenience is worth paying a bit more. I'm in my 60's and handicapped, so I'd like to be able to start as fresh as possible.

And then we bus from Santiago to Ferrol?

I think I have everything else all ironed out, just that small important bit of actually getting to Santiago and then on to Ferrol, and I'm going a bit batty trying to sort it all on a little cell phone...

Thanks in advance for your input! God bless!

 

[SabsP]

Hi @KarinaH you have a long journey ahead.

There is an Alsa bus that leaves at midnight to Santiago from the airport in Madrid.
Doable but I guess very tiring for you.

Why not book a hotel close to trainstation Madrid Chamartin so you can take one of the many trains there to Santiago?
There is one that leaves at 8 am and arrives at 11.19.

Renfe - Mi Más Renfe

PAGINAS OFICIALES DE RENFE, HORARIOS, RESERVA, VENTA, BILLETES, ALQUILER

venta.renfe.com

In Santiago you can take the bus ( Monbus company ) to Ferrol.

You will enjoy the Ingles!

 

[KarinaH]

Hi @KarinaH you have a long journey ahead.

There is an Alsa bus that leaves at midnight to Santiago from the airport in Madrid.
Doable but I guess very tiring for you.

Why not book a hotel close to trainstation Madrid Chamartin so you can take one of the many trains there to Santiago?
There is one that leaves at 8 am and arrives at 11.19.

Renfe - Mi Más Renfe

PAGINAS OFICIALES DE RENFE, HORARIOS, RESERVA, VENTA, BILLETES, ALQUILER

venta.renfe.com

In Santiago you can take the bus ( Monbus company ) to Ferrol.

You will enjoy the Ingles!

Thank you so much!

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Last May I flew United Airlines from Washington DC IAD to MAD. Arrived Terminal 1 MAD 8:05 AM. Then flew Iberia Express 11:15am, from MAD Terminal 4 to SdeC Airport. Taxied into town.

Stayed overnight at a nice place near the Plaza de Mazarelos, then walked to the new Intermodal Station. Bought ticket, departed 12:30 pm via MONBUS for El Ferrol. Cost Euros 11.60. Arrived about 1:30pm. Pleasant trip. But thought that the Ferrol bus station was kinda lame....

 

[J Willhaus]

Another option, stay out by the airport with a convenient hotel shuttle, shuttle back to T4 in the morning and take the Cercanias train from T4 to the Chamartin station. Trains for Santiago leave from Chamartin. The bus and train station in Santiago are co-located.

I would buy train tickets now as train tickets do sell out. As of right now there look to be tickets available. It is about a 3 1/2 train ride. I book through thr Trainline App as it is easier for me than the Renfe App.

 

[henrythedog]

Train.

Overnight near Chamartin station in Madrid.

Train next day to Santiago. Book it in advance. Trainline’s a good option.

Check the bus times from Santiago to Ferrol and book a late afternoon one. Taxi to and from Ivar’s to drop off your luggage.

You’ll love the Ingles.

(I was in Belize for a couple of months in the early 80’s on jungle warfare training when I inadvertently invaded Guatemala. Officer with a map; it happens.)

 

[J Willhaus]

I have never found any "good" overnight options near Chamartin. If I stay downtown, I stay near Atocha and take the Cercanias train to Chamartin the next day.

 

[henrythedog]

I have never found any "good" overnight options near Chamartin. If I stay downtown, I stay near Atocha and take the Cercanias train to Chamartin the next day.

‘Hotel Chamartin The One’ is literally on top of the station and not expensive ; OK it’s a bit corporate; but if I’d just got off a flight from Belize and wasn’t familiar with Madrid I’d take efficiency over authenticity for the first night.

Personally - I agree, I’d stay in central Madrid, but I’ve spent plenty of time there and know my way around.

 

[KarinaH]

Train.

Overnight near Chamartin station in Madrid.

Train next day to Santiago. Book it in advance. Trainline’s a good option.

Check the bus times from Santiago to Ferrol and book a late afternoon one. Taxi to and from Ivar’s to drop off your luggage.

You’ll love the Ingles.

(I was in Belize for a couple of months in the early 80’s on jungle warfare training when I inadvertently invaded Guatemala. Officer with a map; it happens.)

Your plan is exactly what we settled on! I passed the training grounds day before yesterday and noticed the live fire flags were up! Made me want to stop and "play" but I don't think they'll let me. (Lol and I was so happy when I finally made Major and all the "officer with a map/compass" jokes finally stopped!)