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I guess the title says it all. Traveling from the US and land in Madrid at 9:15pm on Monday, the 4th of May. Trying to figure out how to get to Astorga from there. I prefer either a late train that night, or an early one the next morning. I keep getting errors on Renfe's site. Any advice?
Your travel date is too far out to get a time, but currently there are three trains per day from Madrid to Astorga, 0912, 1012, and 1705.
Start walking?Just what you do with yourself in Astorga at 4.15 a.m. is anybody's guess!
Start walking?
Last year I was the last pilgrim leaving albergue in El Ganso at 9AM, sitting on a bench, putting my boots on and there came a man, Spaniard, who told me he came with that overnight bus from Madrid and just start to walk.
Start walking?
Last year I was the last pilgrim leaving albergue in El Ganso at 9AM, sitting on a bench, putting my boots on and there came a man, Spaniard, who told me he came with that overnight bus from Madrid and just start to walk.
I won't but maybe the OP willIf you aren't tired, if you are able to walk in the darkness without getting lost (or if you are fine getting lost in the darkness), if you don't bother to miss the scenery, if jet-lag isn't a problem for you, if... well, to sum it up, if you are like that Spaniard, you could consider that option. Otherwise, think about other options.
I won't but maybe the OP will
Hey, the Bears in Spain, once in decline, are making a strong comeback. Not because of the restriction on hunting, but rather because the Bears have stopped walking in the dark. They are in bed at 04:00I forgot to mention that it is bear country.
BUT if you are equipped with Technology, you don't need maps or yellow arrows or directions! You are empowered to go anywhere you want, whenever you want, and everything works for you. You don't even have to know where you are going... the little screen tells you when to turn left or right, how far to the next stop, and when the next bus is due! No thinking required!
If expense is a consideration, you can avoid a hotel in Madrid by sleeping on the bus, more of a nap actually. On arrival, rest until dawn, see some of Astorga, and walk to Santa Catalina (9.2 km). There are two great albergues there (and a couple of others).I'd be tempted to start walking at 3:15. Ha! Perhaps then taking a train/bus the next morning would be the best way to go. Which is usually faster? We'll have to get to Astorga and start walking that day, so the earlier the better! So an 8am bus or a 10:12 train...
My favorite spot in Santa Catalina is the private Albergue San Blas over a bar/resto.If expense is a consideration, you can avoid a hotel in Madrid by sleeping on the bus, more of a nap actually. On arrival, rest until dawn, see some of Astorga, and walk to Santa Catalina (9.2 km). There are two great albergues there (and a couple of others).
I learned of my grandson's birth in that albergue!the private Albergue San Blas
Which is usually faster? We'll have to get to Astorga and start walking that day, so the earlier the better! So an 8am bus or a 10:12 train...
The bus sounds good to me then! So, an 8am bus sounds like the ticket. Is there only one main bus station in Madrid? Do I need to buy my tickets online, or is it best to just get them there in person (my Spanish is likely to be a stumbling block)?
Thanks, since there are a few of us traveling perhaps it will be best to get the tickets in advance.
As an aside, I'll keep an eye on renfe as well. I've never been able to have it give me a succesful response for a ticket/timetable request regardless of if I am looking or a ticket next week, or in a few months. Frustrating.
Is this a problem with finding a schedule or with purchasing a ticket? There are a lot of complaints here by US travelers trying to buy a ticket from Renfe online. I don't know but I think the problem is the website wants to 'see' your credit card. My understanding is in Europe people have a card chip reader connected to their computers while here we get by with entering the 3 digit number inscribed on the back of the card.
As an aside, I'll keep an eye on renfe as well. I've never been able to have it give me a succesful response for a ticket/timetable request regardless of if I am looking or a ticket next week, or in a few months. Frustrating.
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