Newbie to travel in Europe

Scubageek · Nov 19, 2019

Hi fellow pilgrims. I will be starting my first Camino in April of 2020. I am flying into Madrid and need to take a train or bus to Astorga. When I fly into Madrid is there a certain station I should use to travel from? I have been trying to book my tickets now, but I think I am early. I was told to use Rome to Rio.

Any suggestions would be very helpful.

jefferyonthecamino · Nov 19, 2019

Scubageek said:
Hi fellow pilgrims. I will be starting my first Camino in April of 2020. I am flying into Madrid and need to take a train or bus to Astorga. When I fly into Madrid is there a certain station I should use to travel from? I have been trying to book my tickets now, but I think I am early. I was told to use Rome to Rio.

Any suggestions would be very helpful.

jump on the metro at the airport and make your way to metro stop méndez álvaro
prepurchase and print your bus tix at www.alsa.com
board bus and get off at astorga
buen camino

Scubageek · Nov 19, 2019

jefferyonthecamino said:
jump on the metro at the airport and make your way to metro stop méndez álvaro
prepurchase and print your bus tix at www.alsa.com
board bus and get off at astorga
buen camino

Thanks

amancio · Nov 19, 2019

I would suggest get on the metro to Chamartin station and get the train to Astorga instead, it is a lovely train trip, you can buy the ticket in renfe.es

Joergen · Nov 19, 2019

You can take the bus from Madrid airport T4 to Astorga. It takes 4 H 35 min and costs 26 €

henrythedog · Nov 19, 2019

amancio said:
I would suggest get on the metro to Chamartin station and get the train to Astorga instead, it is a lovely train trip, you can buy the ticket in renfe.es

Or for a more user friendly experience try ‘Rail Europe’ - the unnecessary new name for good old Loco2.

Train tickets are rarely available more than three months in advance - often less - on the site I recommend you can set an alert to notify you when they become available.

trecile · Nov 19, 2019

When you search on the Rail Europe site you can sign up for alerts for when the ticket becomes available. You can save a lot by purchasing as soon as the tickets are released.

Europe by train and bus made easy | Rail Europe

Buy train and bus tickets for the UK and Europe. Simple, fast booking.

raileurope.co.uk

Scubageek · Nov 19, 2019

Thanks to all who have replied. It has been very educational.

FLEUR · Nov 20, 2019

Just a reminder, if you're over 60 you can buy a senior rail card, valid 1 yr and costs 6€ it gives excellent discounts. Purchase it over the counter before you buy your train ticket.

Bodi · Nov 20, 2019

@Scubageek, I am planning to make the same trip in September 2020 and have also been pondering the travel question. At the moment, my plan is to take the metro from the airport to Chamartín station and then the train from there to León, stay overnight (because I love León!), and bus the next day to Astorga. I will stay in an albergue there, giving me two nights to recuperate from jet lag. I waffle on this choice constantly, the other option being Alsa bus from T4 at the airport. The train is infinitely more comfortable though.

John Sikora · Nov 20, 2019

Another site that I've used (and prefer over raileurope) trainline.eu

Donjek · Nov 20, 2019

Scubageek said:
Hi fellow pilgrims. I will be starting my first Camino in April of 2020. I am flying into Madrid and need to take a train or bus to Astorga. When I fly into Madrid is there a certain station I should use to travel from? I have been trying to book my tickets now, but I think I am early. I was told to use Rome to Rio.

Any suggestions would be very helpful.

ALSA provides bus service from Madrid to Astorga.

Wherever you want to go - Alsa

Buy bus tickets at the best price. At Alsa we offer bus rental, travel deals, on-board services and information on routes and schedules.

www.alsa.es

ALSA buses go from several stations but most originate from Estacion Sur. A couple do stop at Madrid Airport T4. Some buses go from Moncloa. You'll have to check the schedule for the bus that best suits you.

Estacion Sur is co-located with Mendez Alvaro station. Mendez Alvaro can be reached using Cercanias train and Madrid Metro from Madrid Airport. Cercanias leaves from T4 only.

Moncloa can be reached by Madrid Metro.

Renfe provides train service from Madrid to Astorga from Chamartin Station.

Renfe | Train tickets AVE, Avlo Low Cost (with No Booking Fees)

Buy cheap train tickets AVE, Avlo high speed Low Cost ✓ Timetables, Fares and Discounts ✅ No Booking Fees! ▷ ( Renfe.com )

www.renfe.com

Chamartin can be reached via Cercanias train and Madrid Metro from Madrid Airport. Cercanias leaves from T4 only.

Cercanias schedules

Núcleo de Cercanías de Madrid | Renfe

Cercanías de Madrid: Toda la información sobre horarios, tarifas, estaciones (mapas, líneas), viajar con mascotas, bicicletas.

www.renfe.com

Madrid Metro

Request Rejected

You won't be able to get tickets for bus more than a month in advance. Train tickets are not usually available more than three months in advance.

Its a long trip; train is more comfortable than the bus. Some people take the train from Madrid to Leon and the bus from Leon to Astorga.

Rome-to-Rio is a good tool only for planning and finding the service providers.

Amused212 · Nov 23, 2019

Bodi said:
@Scubageek, I am planning to make the same trip in September 2020 and have also been pondering the travel question. At the moment, my plan is to take the metro from the airport to Chamartín station and then the train from there to León, stay overnight (because I love León!), and bus the next day to Astorga. I will stay in an albergue there, giving me two nights to recuperate from jet lag. I waffle on this choice constantly, the other option being Alsa bus from T4 at the airport. The train is infinitely more comfortable though.

In October I took a bus from Leon to Madrid. Earlier I had taken a train from Burgos to Madrid and a bus back to Burgos (the train took longer than the bus). Comparing the 3 experiences, the bus from Leon to Madrid was the most comfy. It had a foot rest, leg rest, an entertainment screen and USB outlet. Initially there was a person in the seat beside me, but as we left the station less than full, she moved so that I had both seats. The bathroom on the bus was cleaner and smelled better than the one on the train. These may be one-off experiences but thought I would share. Also, if your timing is right, you might land in T4 terminal and be able to get a bus to Leon without having to go into Madrid.

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