Leaving Santiago by train

[Angel-hart]

When I started planning the Camnio like many I had a difficult time getting passed those first few days of SJPP, Orrison or Valcarlos, stay over night in SJPP etc.

I looked forward a few days out along the way and it helps. When many of us finished we had open schedules and hadn't thought when and how we left Santiago.

A week prior to getting to Santiago we ate dinner with a small group of very nice Korean pilgrims who told me that on the Monday they wanted to leave every way out of Santiago was booked! Buses, trains and planes to Madrid, plus the fares on Mondays by train were much higher. They were right. On weekends Santiago fills up on Monday mornings leaving is filled through standard methods and higher in price.

I went to the train station in Santiago and found them to be very helpful to me. They were excellent at explaining which routes went were and how to get me/us the best price. Prior to going I tried to go through a couple of websites with little luck, finding services that would do bookings to Renfe for very high fees. I don't know enough Spanish(my bad) to effectively use the Renfe website, which I understand is cumbersome?

Many trains hub through Madrid, when you get there you may have to go to the Atocha station if continuing on. It's free you use your exsisting ticket to get a pass to the next station(all explained to me by the counter person in Santiago) we went on to our next destination, changed trains got to our next cities and airports through there system. It works well but takes time and explanations. Hope this helps.

Rob and Deb

 

[Deleted member 36903]

Hi Rob and Deb, good to hear that you found helpful people at the train stations. For future reference you can access an English version of the RENFE website, just look at the various versions of welcome at the top of the first page and click on 'Welcome' as oppposed to 'Bienvenu' 'Wilkommen' etc. It took me a while to register that this was available and then it was a smooth processs to ordering my tickets. I used Paypal.

 

[Bradypus]

When there is such pressure on services leaving Santiago it might be worth considering making your long-distance reservations for journeys beginning in other nearby towns: Ourense, Vigo or A Coruna perhaps. A few weeks ago my wife was unable to book a train seat from Santiago to Madrid but had no problem doing so from Ourense - a short local train journey away. In the past I have chosen to fly from A Coruna rather than Santiago because of seat availability (and also to avoid arriving at Stansted Airport which is a pet hate of mine). Adds very little to either the cost or the total journey time.

 

[Angel-hart]

Hi Rob and Deb, good to hear that you found helpful people at the train stations. For future reference you can access an English version of the RENFE website, just look at the various versions of welcome at the top of the first page and click on 'Welcome' as oppposed to 'Bienvenu' 'Wilkommen' etc. It took me a while to register that this was available and then it was a smooth processs to ordering my tickets. I used Paypal.

 

[Angel-hart]

Thank you for the info on Renfe. We truly like the train travel in Spain, and will use your info.

Deb and Rob

 

[Angel-hart]

When there is such pressure on services leaving Santiago it might be worth considering making your long-distance reservations for journeys beginning in other nearby towns: Ourense, Vigo or A Coruna perhaps. A few weeks ago my wife was unable to book a train seat from Santiago to Madrid but had no problem doing so from Ourense - a short local train journey away. In the past I have chosen to fly from A Coruna rather than Santiago because of seat availability (and also to avoid arriving at Stansted Airport which is a pet hate of mine). Adds very little to either the cost or the total journey time.

 

[Angel-hart]

You're right we were going to go the Porto and Vigo seems like another place you can travel from, although it is a bit farther. I am sure this information will help others.

Deb and Ron

 

[Rod Murray]

I found a treasure trove of useful info on train travel in Spain at this site:
http://www.seat61.com/Spain.htm
including the language preference selector, and when to expect the new timetable to be posted to get the widest choice of dates, times and cheapest fares. The Renfe timetable changes for the summer on June 15 and goes online "about" 60 days in advance. Sure enough, I was able to book a Saturday departure from SdC on my preferred date about 60 days ahead. I missed getting the cheapest fair though by not booking right away.

 

[Angel-hart]

I found a treasure trove of useful info on train travel in Spain at this site:
http://www.seat61.com/Spain.htm
including the language preference selector, and when to expect the new timetable to be posted to get the widest choice of dates, times and cheapest fares. The Renfe timetable changes for the summer on June 15 and goes online "about" 60 days in advance. Sure enough, I was able to book a Saturday departure from SdC on my preferred date about 60 days ahead. I missed getting the cheapest fair though by not booking right away.

I wished this info had been around for us. I have found as soon as you know your departure date start booking a ticket. We got to Valencia and had dates for leaving to get to Barcelona so we booked seats when we arrived. At the time our seat assignments showed only about a third full. The day we left the train was sold out by the time we got to Barcelona.
So many of us with open ended tickets or excess time like us(2 weeks) don't look ahead, or don't think about leaving as an issue. Your information is great! Thank you.

Deb and Rob

 

[Castilian]

I missed getting the cheapest fair though by not booking right away.

I don't know if you are fully sure of that but be aware that the (theoterically) cheapest fare isn't always offered so maybe it just wasn't offered for that train on that date.

I wished this info had been around for us.

It was already quoted on other posts on other threads. It's a pity you didn't see it.

 

[Rod Murray]

I don't know if you are fully sure of that but be aware that the (theoterically) cheapest fare isn't always offered so maybe it just wasn't offered for that train on that date.



It was already quoted on other posts on other threads. It's a pity you didn't see it.

We were coordinating a group of us and when I found that the new schedule was live, I had to wait for a reply from our friends to confirm date/time and after one day, the fare went up €5-10 each! Still only €50 for SdC-MAD!
We booked Preferenté tickets from BARC-Ponferrada for less tha €50 each, which is a 9+ hour journey, but they were before the schedule change.

 

[Missing Mike]

I need to leave Santiago on June 14th to Madrid so I can catch a plane on the 15th having trouble getting out should I fly or take a train what would be the best to do let me know thank you

 

[Bradypus]

RENFE website is showing seats available on 8 trains that day directly from Santiago to Madrid. Prices starting as low as 22.30 euro. Why not book online?: www.renfe.com

 

[Angel-hart]

I need to leave Santiago on June 14th to Madrid so I can catch a plane on the 15th having trouble getting out should I fly or take a train what would be the best to do let me know thank you

I found similar information as Bardypus. If it were me I would take the train, easier on and off, taxi fares are less. More relaxed travel tourist class seats have more room than coach plane seats by far. Madrid like most large cities ha s a set fare to and from the airport 20E.

 

[Deleted member 36903]

For anyone who is planning to travel to Madrid from SdC by train please remember to leave sufficient time for you and your luggage to go through the security checks at Santiago station. It is not that this is especially complicated, the staff are very efficient, but the volume of people trying to get to the platform can cause a bottleneck. The journey, by the way, is stunning and the cafe on board serves tosta with tomate, together with a little bottle of olive oil - mmmm.

 

[Castilian]

Madrid like most large cities ha s a set fare to and from the airport 20E.

The set fare is 30 Euros if you are going to/from the airport from/to Madrid city center (any place within the M-30 ring like, for example, Sol or Atocha). If you are going to/from somewhere in Madrid out of the M-30 ring (e.g.: to Barajas town), the mínimum fare is 20 Euros (it applies to routes up to 10 kms) and if the route is longer than 10 kms, from kilometer 10 onwards, it'll be 1.05 Euros extra per kilometer (1.20 Euros extra per kilometer on weekends, public holidays and/or by night).