Madrid or Bilbao?

[bluemoonfound]

Hello All,

I am planning to walk my first camino this September, and I have a quick travel question. Coming from the US, would it be better to fly into Madrid or Bilbao in order to begin in Astorga?

I had initially planned on flying into Madrid, but I've been doing too much Internet research about pickpockets and scams; I've never traveled internationally before, and I am afraid that I will very much look like I'm clueless. I have read that pickpockets tend to be prevalent in Madrid, and so I was wondering if Bilbao would be less stressful :shock:

Any and all suggestions are welcomed and appreciated!

Buen Camino!

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, bluemoon,

Welcome to the forum. Hope we can help with your travel question.

My opinion would be that it´s much easier to fly in and out of Madrid. If you go on to Bilbao, you´re likely to have to change in the Madrid airport anyway (or else fly through London and then go London to Bilbao, but that might involve a change in airports in London).

There´s no doubt that pickpockets abound in Madrid, but the way to remove all worries is to put your valuables in a pocket under your shirt. It´s easy to have passport, credit cards, cash, etc. all out of reach, so then you don´t even have to worry about being alert.

You don´t say whether you plan to go by bus or train to Astorga, but either way, the public transportation options from the airport are great. You can decrease the pickpocket factor enormously by staying off the metro. That would mean taking either a bus (there´s a bus from the airport that goes directly to the Av. Américas bus station) or a commuter train (there´s a direct Cercanías train that goes from the airport to the Chamartín train station). I can find more information on either of these options if it would help you. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Larry DeMaster]

Hello -

Wevisited both in October and had zero problems. Just travel smart - don't have everything in one accessible place. Only take what you'll need (some cash and 1 of your credit cards) when out of your hotel. Spain is no better or worse than other countries. Be prepared and you'll be fine.

By the way, Bilbao's old town area is fabulous at night. We didn't do the Guggenheim, which is its modern claim to fame, but the city itself is wonderful, as is Madrid, where we stayed just off of Plaza del Sol.

Buen Camino!

 

[tyrrek]

Hi Bluemoon!

I agree with the others - you'll probably have to go through Madrid airport to get to Bilbao anyway. If anything, you might be better off getting a connecting flight to Santiago rather than Bilbao for an Astorga start.

As Laurie says, you can minimise your exposure to risk in Madrid by choosing the right transport options, and could even just get a taxi straight from airport to train station (probably expensive, but cheaper than flying on elsewhere).

Take the precautions suggested, and look at the others in the crime section of the forum. There are useful tips there, such as keeping the rain cover on your backpack to make life difficult for pickpockets. You also have a great strength in that you probably won't have many things of great value with you to protect if you packed well!

Madrid is probably no worse for crime than Barcelona, Paris etc. They are all still very popular tourist destinations in Europe for city breaks, and most people have a great time. You won't be the only one looking like a visitor.

Buen Camino!

 

[bluemoonfound]

Thank you all so much for sharing your thoughts on this -- I really appreciate it! I have decided to fly into Madrid, and I will be securing my valuables in an underclothes waist pack (I'm thinking PacSafe).

I'm still nervous about looking lost and vulnerable, but armed with common sense and the good advice on this forum, I will be just fine.

Thank you again!

Buen Camino

 

[tyrrek]

I'm still nervous about looking lost and vulnerable, but armed with common sense and the good advice on this forum, I will be just fine.

I'm a real believer in body language when in Spain. Even if you don't have a clue where you're going (in a station etc), walk towards where you think you should be with head high and chest out. If you find that you're in the wrong place throw your hand in the air and say 'Tut' as if to say it's someone else's fault. You'll look like a native.

Buen Camino!

 

[bluemoonfound]

If you find that you're in the wrong place throw your hand in the air and say 'Tut' as if to say it's someone else's fault. You'll look like a native.

I love it Thanks for the great advice!