Madrid to Ponferrada

[jirit]

Looking for suggestions:

I arrive in Madrid at 10:40 am on May 9 and plan to travel to Ponferrada that day by either bus or train.

At one time there was an afternoon train that left Madrid 14:40 and arrived in Ponferrada at 18:40. I think the train goes to Leon and then you catch another train to Ponferrada.

But now when I try to locate the same train, nothing exists.

Also apparently has a Alsa bus that departs Madrid Esticion Sur at 14:30 and goes to Ponferrada via Astorga arriving at 18:50

Are there any other alternatives ?

 

[Tincatinker]

Looking for suggestions:

I arrive in Madrid at 10:40 am on May 9 and plan to travel to Ponferrada that day by either bus or train.

At one time there was an afternoon train that left Madrid 14:40 and arrived in Ponferrada at 18:40. I think the train goes to Leon and then you catch another train to Ponferrada.

But now when I try to locate the same train, nothing exists.

Also apparently has a Alsa bus that departs Madrid Esticion Sur at 14:30 and goes to Ponferrada via Astorga arriving at 18:50

Are there any other alternatives ?

I suspect RENFE haven’t posted trains for May yet.
An alternative route, take the Lugo train and change at Ourense

 

[DeansFamily]

We walked the Invierno in November and are very familiar with transport options in Spain. I highly recommend using the Renfe trains over buses as it is quicker, safer and more comfortable. Yes, there is a change over at Leon but it is convenient as you walk off one platform and through the hall area with seating and food/drink shops and when the downstairs platform opens for the next leg you show your paperwork and proceed down to wait for the train. The scenery is varied and very interesting especially on from Leon and in all it is so easy. When you arrive at Ponferrada you are walking distance to everything. One suggestion is not leaving booking tickets till the last minute as they can fill up quickly a week before or even more if it is a busy time. Also book online on the Renfe site as you can have it translated to English and you are paying the true fare, not an inflated one from a third party site. You will have to be careful of giving yourself plenty of time if you are planning to fly into Madrid, catching the Metro to Charmartin and changing to the Renfe terminal there as Customs can take longer than expected. And an early afternoon departure with Renfe at Charmartin will get you to Ponferrada in the late evening, so we always visit the nearby supermercado near Charmartin station for nibbles and drinks, though there is a food car on the train with a bar if you find that easier. Safe travels.

 

[frannie z]

I’m having difficulty using trainline (which I ve used for many trains in Spain) finding a fast train from Santiago to Madrid on March 28. Any suggestions? I’m in USA and must use credit card.

 

[pjacobi]

I suggest that you take the high-speed train from Madrid to Leon, and then the bus to Ponferrada.


-Paul

 

[Tincatinker]

I’m having difficulty using trainline (which I ve used for many trains in Spain) finding a fast train from Santiago to Madrid on March 28. Any suggestions? I’m in USA and must use credit card.

RENFE are convinced that there is no train between Santiago and Madrid. Nor does their excellent website suggest any alternative routes.

You may find more comfort looking for a flight or a bus.

 

[jirit]

I’m having difficulty using trainline (which I ve used for many trains in Spain) finding a fast train from Santiago to Madrid on March 28. Any suggestions? I’m in USA and must use credit card.

I would wait a week and you should be able to secure tickets for March 28. I have used this site before to order tickets

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Find everything you need to know about traveling around Spain by train. Book your tickets online, vacation packages, info for all in one place, reputable Spain & Portugal Travel Agency. Get best quotes for Spanish tour.

www.petrabax.com

 

[DeansFamily]

I am wary of Trainline and third party sites as on one occasion I booked tickets, payment went through on my credit card and the I was notified that there were no seats available. It then took me a couple of months to get my payment credited. That happened when I notified them my card provider was going to reverse the payment as I had proof I was owed a full refund. On the Renfe site if the seat is available and you book it you have secured it.

 

[Anamiri]

Looking for suggestions:

I arrive in Madrid at 10:40 am on May 9 and plan to travel to Ponferrada that day by either bus or train.

At one time there was an afternoon train that left Madrid 14:40 and arrived in Ponferrada at 18:40. I think the train goes to Leon and then you catch another train to Ponferrada.

But now when I try to locate the same train, nothing exists.

Also apparently has a Alsa bus that departs Madrid Esticion Sur at 14:30 and goes to Ponferrada via Astorga arriving at 18:50

Are there any other alternatives ?

My cousin walked with us to Villafranca in 2017. The whole walk was very spur of the moment for him, and because of the lack of notice, he ended up taking a taxi to Ponferada, a bus to Leon, and then another bus to the airport and a flight to London.