LIVE from the Camino Help stuck at Madrid Barajas

[Alyssa]

Hi,

I missed the 1045 bus from Barajas but can't understand the ticket vendor at the airport (despite speaking Spanish ). She keeps telling me I need to go to Avenida to get a bus to Zarragoza and that the timetable on Movelia isn't correct. Any suggestions?

P.S. This issue has been resolved (see below). : )

 

[Al the optimist]

The timetables are often incorrect, especially when moving from winter to summer. Best do as suggested.

 

[Alyssa]

Sadly I couldn't understand what she was suggesting and we both became quite frustrated. Finally I bought a Lebaramobile SIM as they were selling them right by the Alsa booth. Called Istvan at Corazon who suggested taking a train and looked up the timetable for me. I am now on RENFE headed toward Atocha where I will catch a train to Pamplona instead of the bus.

 

[Al the optimist]

Look upon the experience positively. It is part of your Camino. It is teaching you to go with the flow. Relax and enjoy. All the difficulties just help you to evolve. (They also give you another story to tell)

 

[Alyssa]

It's all good! Not complaining, Simply reporting the facts of my experience. : )

 

[whariwharangi]

Hi,

I missed the 1045 bus from Barajas but can't understand the ticket vendor at the airport (despite speaking Spanish ). She keeps telling me I need to go to Avenida to get a bus to Zarragoza and that the timetable on Movelia isn't correct. Any suggestions?

ALSA buses to Pamplona leave from Madrid Avenida de America. Avenida de America is a metro and bus station. Some but not all buses to Pamplona stop at the T4 airport on their route. A transfer is often required, usually at Soria but sometimes at Zaragosa.

The vendor was telling you that your best option to catch the next bus to Pamplona was to go to Avenida de America and that there would be a transfer required at Zaragosa (probably the destination plate on the bus).

Usually, the best source of information is the service provider's website. Movelia isn't the service provider.

 

[Alyssa]

ALSA buses to Pamplona leave from Madrid Avenida de America. Avenida de America is a metro and bus station. Some but not all buses to Pamplona stop at the T4 airport on their route. A transfer is often required, usually at Soria but sometimes at Zaragosa.

The vendor was telling you that your best option to catch the next bus to Pamplona was to go to Avenida de America and that there would be a transfer required at Zaragosa (probably the destination plate on the bus).

Usually, the best source of information is the service provider's website. Movelia isn't the QUOTE= provider.

Yes, I'm sure you're right. One of the Forum members had written on their website: "Conda is another bus company that takes people from the Madrid airport to Pamplona... There are Conda buses going to directly to Pamplona. No stops. No changes. Check schedules at www.movelia.es." Relying on that information I became confused by what I was being told by the vendor who kept telling me Conda and Alsa we're run by the same company and that there were no direct buses; as you mentioned, she kept trying to explain there was a stop in Zaragoza. Of course having traveled all night I was exhausted and out of it.

Poor woman...she tried! Anyway tAking the train to Atocha was easy and the train to Pamplona is comfy and quick. All's well that ends well!

(I also should have printed out the various other transportation options mentioned here on this forum, many of them by you, Whari, and taken them with me as a backup. Lesson learned!)

 

[whariwharangi]

Conda (Compania Navarra de Autobuses) is owned by ALSA and Algreda Automovil SA.
http://www.conda.es/quienes-somos.php?tipo=2&id=382

ALSA is in turn owned by National Express.

I think the CONDA brand continues to exist because it is a political flagship for the Navarra Region.

I am pleased to read you are having a nice train trip.

 

[Pruden]

Just think that train is better than bus!
I live in Madrid and next 1th of July I will go by train , is faster and confortable that way you would get in good shape to Pamplona !
Have a good Camino and be open any unexpected changes that happens !
Enjoy and go with the flow , let yourself be taken !

 

[annelise]

I chose to take the airport bus from Barajas direct to Atocha - cost only a few Euros - and I was not prepared to figure out how to use and pay the metro. (For those not in the know, Atocha is the main railway station in Madrid.)

- I arrived late and had planned to spend the night in Madrid - if your situation will be the same, I would advise you to immediately get your next day ticket and seat reservation for Pamplona when you get to Atocha (mind you: ticket selling stops at 10 pm).

Another hint: There are lots of nice but rather expensive hotels at the 'nice' side of Atocha where the airport bus docks. But if you exit on the other side of the station, you will find streets with a great number of very nice 'pensiones' at a very reasonable price - some even with en suite (well, anyway the one I had). Look for the signs on buildings - sometimes high up - but just ring the bell.

annelise

 

[Olivares]

I am guessing she was trying to tell you the 1045 bus was sold out, but that you could catch a bus leaving from Estacion Avenida Las Americas with a connection in Zaragoza (transbordo). To get to Avenida Las Americas you get on Bus No.1 from Barajas (they loop around every 10 munutes) , about 2 Euros, about a 10 minutes ride. Very easy. Love the buses in Spain, clean, comfortable, nice scenery, cheaper, RELIABLE, and very convenient itineraries. ALSA buses leaving from the airport are just incredibly convenient!

This is why: 1) I never buy train/buses ahead of time when arriving transatlantic, and 2) I always have Contingency Plans B, C, and D!

All is well! have a Buen Camino!

 

[fernandezr]

Hi,

I missed the 1045 bus from Barajas but can't understand the ticket vendor at the airport (despite speaking Spanish ). She keeps telling me I need to go to Avenida to get a bus to Zarragoza and that the timetable on Movelia isn't correct. Any suggestions?

You need to go to a different terminal to get the busses that go north, to the Camino. I think it is Terminal 4 but it would be best to ask someome. There you can buy your ticket.