Mary E Davison
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 2014
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There is a Metro station at the airport and the Metro will take you to just about anywhere you want to go in Madrid. It used to cost 1 Euro for any destination within the Metro system; now they have changed it and you have to buy your ticket from a machine that will ask what is your destination; the price varies according to how far you are going. It is a good deal; the system is very dependable, clean, safe and is extensive enough that you can get out close to any destination in Madrid. There are two stops on the Metro that I think you are speaking of; one is "Atocha" and the other is "Atocha Renfe". It seems logical that Atocha Renfe is the train station. There was an older Atocha train station that now is some kind of a botanical garden with little cafes and such; the new Atocha station is the one you want if you want to take a train to Pamplona. It will be less expensive and probably quicker if you simply take a bus at the Madrid airport right up to Pamplona. Last September we had considered taking the train because you can get up and walk around and often you can get some food on the train but the bus is handy right there at the airport and the buses are very comfortable, quick and less expensive than the train.I am trying to get my train reservation from Madrid to Pamplona. Is there a difference between Atocha and Puerta De Atocha? And how do I get to the train station, whichever it is, from the airport?
Well, almost everything has been said, but I can always find more to say.
I would never take the metro from the airport to Atocha, especially now that the Cercanias (commuter line C-1) goes directly there from T-4 and the airport express bus also takes you there with very few stops. You have to change several times on the metro, and there are lots of pickpockets in prime travel time.
The Cercanias train is faster than the airport express bus, but it runs less frequently, only at 28 and 58 past the hour, and it only stops in Terminal 4, which is used by Iberia and its One World Partners (American and BA are probably the most familiar). So if you land in T 1-3, you will have to take an intra-airport bus over to T-4.
The Airport Express bus stops at all terminals and runs every 15-20 minutes. So depending on timing and where you arrive, it might be the easiest way to get to Atocha. Some info here: http://madridman.com/blog-madrid/2012/01/madrid-airport-express-shuttle-bus/
OK, every time I read another post I get a bit fuzzy where I think I had it understood before.
Questions: Can I buy a Carjeta Dorada at the airport or do I have to wait until I get to Atocha since the airport is purchase by machine only? It does not appear to me that I can get a Carjeta Dorada ticket until I show up in Spain so cannot purchase a ticket/reservation from USA prior to arrival at the lower price. Right?
Peregrina 200, "the Airport Express bus takes you there..." which "there" are you talking about in that sentence? - Atocha Station or T-4. Ie: Does the Airport Express bus go to Atocha? Some bus does according to a journal I read last year. I do not think I will arrive at T-4. (flying United.)
My plane arrives at 10:00AM. The train to Pamplona leaves at 3:05. I have time to get there even for a confused old lady with VERY limited Spanish.(I think). But I surely would like to have it clear in my mind before I get there as these things stress me out. I would rather take a bus or train than metro with less confusion. I am not used to subways in States either. Walking is much easier than motorized conveyances.
OK, every time I read another post I get a bit fuzzy where I think I had it understood before.
Questions: Can I buy a Carjeta Dorada at the airport or do I have to wait until I get to Atocha since the airport is purchase by machine only? It does not appear to me that I can get a Carjeta Dorada ticket until I show up in Spain so cannot purchase a ticket/reservation from USA prior to arrival at the lower price. Right?
Peregrina 200, "the Airport Express bus takes you there..." which "there" are you talking about in that sentence? - Atocha Station or T-4. Ie: Does the Airport Express bus go to Atocha? Some bus does according to a journal I read last year. I do not think I will arrive at T-4. (flying United.)
My plane arrives at 10:00AM. The train to Pamplona leaves at 3:05. I have time to get there even for a confused old lady with VERY limited Spanish.(I think). But I surely would like to have it clear in my mind before I get there as these things stress me out. I would rather take a bus or train than metro with less confusion. I am not used to subways in States either. Walking is much easier than motorized conveyances.
I'm looking hard at my travel options for Sept .... My flight arrives in MAD from Dallas on Iberia Airline. I read above Iberia always uses T4 ?. Once I get off the plane I take a train ( which I can get at T4 this ticket is purchased via machine ) to Atocha Train station , buy my ticket , from a person not a machine? )to Pomplona at the station and get a senior card (5 Eur) .
Fernanzer said above "It will be less expensive and probably quicker if you simply take a bus at the Madrid airport right up to Pamplona" ... I'm assuming because its quicker ( less wait time) for the bus then the train? . How long does the train take vs the bus ?. Google maps has it 391 km (242 miles) ... I hear the train is very fast ( speed wise)
Have you ever heard of pilgrims sharing a taxi from MAD to St Jean ?. 461 km ( 285 mi) ..
I'm looking hard at my travel options for Sept .... My flight arrives in MAD from Dallas on Iberia Airline. I read above Iberia always uses T4 ?. Once I get off the plane I take a train ( which I can get at T4 this ticket is purchased via machine ) to Atocha Train station , buy my ticket , from a person not a machine? )to Pomplona at the station and get a senior card (5 Eur) .
Fernanzer said above "It will be less expensive and probably quicker if you simply take a bus at the Madrid airport right up to Pamplona" ... I'm assuming because its quicker ( less wait time) for the bus then the train? . How long does the train take vs the bus ?. Google maps has it 391 km (242 miles) ... I hear the train is very fast ( speed wise)
Have you ever heard of pilgrims sharing a taxi from MAD to St Jean ?. 461 km ( 285 mi) ..
I'm looking hard at my travel options for Sept .... My flight arrives in MAD from Dallas on Iberia Airline. I read above Iberia always uses T4 ?. Once I get off the plane I take a train ( which I can get at T4 this ticket is purchased via machine ) to Atocha Train station , buy my ticket , from a person not a machine? )to Pomplona at the station and get a senior card (5 Eur) .
Fernanzer said above "It will be less expensive and probably quicker if you simply take a bus at the Madrid airport right up to Pamplona" ... I'm assuming because its quicker ( less wait time) for the bus then the train? . How long does the train take vs the bus ?. Google maps has it 391 km (242 miles) ... I hear the train is very fast ( speed wise)
Have you ever heard of pilgrims sharing a taxi from MAD to St Jean ?. 461 km ( 285 mi) ..
I don't think so. They want to look at your proof of age.If you want to book the train online in advance, is there any way to buy a Tarjeta Dorada while still in the USA to use for the purchase?
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