Is there a train from Madrid to Astorga?

[jrm]

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?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

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.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

There is an overnight bus from T-4 at the Madrid airport that leaves at 2359 and arrives in Astorga at 0415.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Just what you do with yourself in Astorga at 4.15 a.m. is anybody's guess!

 

[whariwharangi]

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?

The Renfe Schedule will likely not be available until 3 or 4 weeks in advance of the date of travel. Last year someone wanted the schedule for the trenhotel from Santiago to Madrid and it was not available more than 3 weeks prior to the date of travel. You can make a reasonable plan on trains running at this time of year ... if there are changes it will be to add more trains.

 

[Castilian]

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.

The 0912 option involves a change of trains in Palencia with a 55 minutes transit time between trains. There are other options available changing trains.

There's a direct train (daily except Saturdays) departing from Madrid (Chamartín station) at 22:30 and arriving to Astorga at 03:51 (a.m.) but there are rumours saying that train might be discontinued in the future so, as the schedule for May isn't known yet, there's no guarantee that option will be still available then. The other two direct trains (departing at 10:12 -a.m.- and 17:05, respectively) are much more unlikely to be discontinued and will probably run with their current schedule although, of course, you'll have to wait till the schedule for your travel date is published to know for sure as (minor) changes on the schedules might happen on any train.

The direct bus from the airport departing at 23:59 would be a better option than the 22:30 (don't forget to factor in a possible delay on your flight, the time it takes to get from the airport to Chamartín station...) but the arrival time of both of them might be something to think about (i.e.: what would you do in Astorga at those hours?). If you don't like those arrival times, the daily 08:00 a.m. bus from Madrid (Estación Sur de Autobuses) to Astorga would be a good option to consider.

 

[KinkyOne]

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.

 

[whariwharangi]

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.

Nothing like starting your camino by wandering several miles in the dark while lost and in the wrong direction. Just think of the stories you could regale us with ...

 

[Castilian]

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.

If 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. BTW, weather conditions could make a difference too...

 

[KinkyOne]

If 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

 

[whariwharangi]

I won't but maybe the OP will

I forgot to mention that it is bear country.

 

[Arn]

I forgot to mention that it is bear country.

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 04:00

 

[Rebekah Scott]

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!

 

[Al the optimist]

And you can use it's light to collect some rubbish to while away the time as you can't see any scenery?

 

[whariwharangi]

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!

Until the battery stops providing power ... which is why I remain a luddite.

 

[Al the optimist]

Still wish Ivar had a tongue in cheek emotive. :-,

 

[jrm]

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...

 

[Deleted member 3000]

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...

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).

 

[mspath]

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).

My favorite spot in Santa Catalina is the private Albergue San Blas over a bar/resto.
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/albergue-hospederia-san-blas. Bunks are 5 euros and you can check in at 10am.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

the private Albergue San Blas

I learned of my grandson's birth in that albergue!

 

[Castilian]

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...

Train is quicker but it departs much later than the bus so you'll arrive earlier with the bus.

 

[jrm]

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)?

 

[whariwharangi]

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)?

There are several bus stations in Madrid.

ALSA buses from Madrid to Astorga leave from Estacion Sur and from T4 Madrid Airport. Service is more frequent from Estacion Sur.

You can purchase tickets online or in person. Sometimes there are deals available online but otherwise there is usually a seat available so in the interest of flexibility you might be better off waiting till you get to the station to purchase a ticket. An exception is holidays ... in which case its best to get a ticket in advance.

2012 Madrid Airport to Estacion Sur de Autobuses de Madrid

a. Estacion Sur de Autobuses de Madrid is located near the Méndez Álvaro Metro Station. Take line 8 from Barajas airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Colombia; line 9 to Avenida de America; and, line 6 to Méndez Álvaro. Exit the Metro to find the bus station.

b. Take Renfe Cercanias train from T4 Barajas airport to Méndez Álvaro.

ALSA
http://www.alsa.es/

Estacion Sur de Autobuses de Madrid
http://www.estacionautobusesmadrid.com/frameset.html

Madrid Metro
http://www.metromadrid.es/en/index.html

Madrid Metro Map
http://www.metromadrid.es/export/sites/metro/comun/documentos/planos/Planomayo2013.pdf

Madrid Airport (MAD)
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Madrid-Barajas/en/

 

[jrm]

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.

 

[whariwharangi]

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.

 

[jrm]

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.

I'm having a problem with both I think. When I put in my dates and my starting point/destination I get an error page, no matter if that is for a date in May, or a date at the beginning of February.

 

[Castilian]

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.

Try following the steps quoted on the link I'm going to provide you and if they don't work try one of the alternatives quoted on the same link. Extra tip: use Internet Explorer as browser.

http://www.seat61.com/Spain-trains.htm#How_to_use_www.renfe.com

P.S.: If you had any problem to book the bus tickets on the web of Alsa, you can try the web of Movelia as an alternative.

http://www.movelia.es