May 2024 Train or Bus Tickets from Madrid

[catyarbs]

Planning my 3rd Camino (Leon to Santiago this time) and purchased my bus ticket from the Madrid airport to Leon about 2 months ago. Husband decided recently to join me in Sarria, but for the life of me, I'm unable to book him a train or bus ticket on any of the usual Aps, i.e., renfre or alsa. Rome2Rio shows the various options but even if I fly him to Santiago, there are no bus or train tickets available on the Aps from Santiago to Sarria. Any ideas? He's a first-time pilgrim and I want to make it as easy as possible. Thanks in advance.

 

[J Willhaus]

It is too early for tickets to be showing for bus or train. Try about 1 month out.

2 weeks ago we took the 7:15 Iberia flight to Santiago and then Monbus from the airport to Sarria. Very easy.

 

[J Willhaus]

Monbus was not showing until about 2 or 3 weeks out. I checked every day since I was buying tickets for 12 people.

 

[catyarbs]

It is too early for tickets to be showing for bus or train. Try about 1 month out.

2 weeks ago we took the 7:15 Iberia flight to Santiago and then Monbus from the airport to Sarria. Very easy.

Thank you for your reply. My confusion is in the fact that I was able to purchase a bus ticket 2 months ago for May 3, 2024, from MAD Airport to Leon ... now nothing. I will try not to worry.

 

[J Willhaus]

Different bus companies have different practices. You maybe have tickets with Alsa, but Jimenez, Monbus, etc have different timelines and serve different populations. Renfe had tickets available for the train only 2 weeks ahead of our travel last week, but it was timing after a major holiday, etc. Just check regularly if you are concerned.

 

[J Willhaus]

There is usually one direct train per day from Chamartin Station to Sarria if you want to keep checking that. I use Trainline as it also shows trains with connections that Renfe does not show. The early flight to Santiago with bus to Sarria was a lot cheaper than the train and as I said very easy. We did not chose the reserved seat option and we were satisfied with the service. One issue with the flight was that a baggage person policed the line and made several people check their backpacks when boarding (anything 42 liter and above plus some regular oversized carryons by non pilgrims had to be checked). The overhead bins on the flight were small and there would not have been room under the seat on this plane. Limited legroom, but it was fine for the short hop to Santiago.

 

[RRat]

Planning my 3rd Camino (Leon to Santiago this time) and purchased my bus ticket from the Madrid airport to Leon about 2 months ago. Husband decided recently to join me in Sarria, but for the life of me, I'm unable to book him a train or bus ticket on any of the usual Aps, i.e., renfre or alsa. Rome2Rio shows the various options but even if I fly him to Santiago, there are no bus or train tickets available on the Aps from Santiago to Sarria. Any ideas? He's a first-time pilgrim and I want to make it as easy as possible. Thanks in advance.

Instead of Santiago to Sarria search on Sarria to Santiago and a number of options will appear. They are not the major carriers so they don't show up on the apps.

 

[henrythedog]

If you use ‘Trainline’ you can set an alert to inform you when tickets for your chosen journey become available. You don’t have to book with them if you prefer not to.

 

[catyarbs]

Helpful Pilgrims, I'm still not seeing any trains (direct or otherwise) from Madrid to Sarria for May 13. Flight to Santiago with train/bus onward to Sarria is not possible due to husband's arrival time in Madrid. I'm using Trainline, Renfre, Omio, R2R and ALSA apps. I depart myself on May 2nd and would like to lock in my husband's transportation to Sarria as soon as possible ... your help is appreciated!

 

[J Willhaus]

The tickets have not been released for this date May 13. There are a few issues along this route that the newspapers have been reporting. One is the delay of an even faster train that has been postponed since December. The other is that there are train station updates going on at the Madrid Chamartin Station where this line originates. There will be fewer trains per day this summer although there will be the same number of seats available as when there were more trains. This is an ongoing issue the last several months with tickets not being on sale until close to departure dates. My only advice is to keep checking.

 

[J Willhaus]

Renfe empezará a vender los billetes de los trenes Avril el día 18 para iniciar los viajes a mediados de mayo

Talgo entregará las primeras unidades a finales de la semana que viene. El material rodante de la serie 106 permitirá ahorrar 33 minutos de media en los viajes a Madrid desde las ciudades del eje atlántico

www.lavozdegalicia.es

Ok this says tickets for the new superfast trains to Santiago will begin on April 18 for seats in mid-May so I sm guessing the route to Sarria will only be sold starting then as well.