Timing from Madrid airport (Barajas) to Atocha station

[Jenyat53]

I arrive at Terminal 4s at 13:45 pm (12 April).
I am wondering about the quickest way to ensure that I get to Atocha station to catch my 15:30 train to Pamplona.
Would it be quicker to grab a taxi or take the connecting train?
Many thanks for any shared wisdom.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Taxi will be your most secure method. The train leaves from terminal T-4 on the hour and half-hour, so if you just miss one, it will take about 45 minutes to get from the airport to Atocha plus the time to get from 4-S.

 

[peregrina2000]

Agree with Falcon. I would have an eye on the clock. When you get to the exit of T4, you can then decide whether it makes sense to go down to the Cercanías station a floor below and hop on the train, or to go outside and catch a cab. When you see the Cercanías sign, you are about a three minute walk down to the station and there is likely to be an attendant there to help you purchase your ticket. The only potential problem with the cab option is that the vagaries of Madrid traffic are hard to predict. You would be getting a cab in the "lunch rush hour", which isn't as bad as the "dinner rush hour", but still could create some traffic jams. The schedules vary a bit hour by hour, though the most frequent departure times are now 27 and 57 minutes after the hour. The trains are very punctual, so being on time for a train on the hour may mean you miss the train by three minutes. I've attached a screenshot of the current schedule, so you may want to have in mind the precise times likely to be available when you arrive. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[whariwharangi]

Shared wisdom ... there is no way you will make it from flight arrival to train departure in the time specified.

Si yo fuera tu ... plan to take a later train.

Here is information for your time appreciation:

Getting around in Madrid

The airport in Madrid is called Barajas (MAD). There are 4 terminals. T1, T2, and T3 are located in one building. T4 and T4S are connected by an Automatic People Mover train. There is a shuttle service that connects all terminals.

Madrid Airport (MAD)
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Madrid-Barajas/en/

Connections to Madrid include Metro, EMT bus, and light rail transit Cercanias.

The Metro has stations at T1-T2-T3 and at T4. The trains run every 6 - 12 minutes. Take Metro line 8 from airport T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Nuevos Ministerios; line 10 to Tribunal; and, line 1 to Renfe Atocha.

Cercanias has a station at T4 and trains run every 30 minutes. Take the Cercanias train from T4 direct to Puerta de Atocha.

EMT Madrid operates a bright yellow express bus every 13 -20 minutes from the airport T1-T2-T3 and airport T4 to Puerta de Atocha with two stops enroute.

Madrid Metro
http://www.metromadrid.es/en/index.html

Madrid Metro Map
http://www.metromadrid.es/export/sites/metro/comun/documentos/planos/Planomayo2013.pdf

Madrid Cercanias (operated by Renfe). Cercanias trains go direct to Chamartin station and Puerta de Atocha station.
http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/cercanias/madrid/index.html

EMT Madrid Airport Express - Airport to Puerta de Atocha
http://www.emtmadrid.es/Aeropuerto

Puerta de Atocha Renfe Station Madrid
http://www.adif.es/es_ES/infraestructuras/estaciones/60000/informacion_000070.shtml

 

[Jenyat53]

Thank you everyone. It will be a challenging start to my Camino I see. I booked the train after advice from the person collecting me in Pamplona suggested the train to catch knowing my plane arrival time. Qué será será!

 

[Deleted member 34316]

A bit surprising that your friend from Pamplona didn't suggest the intercity bus to Pamplona leaving directly from the Airport Terminal 4 at 15:15, which would save you the stress on arrival or probably a rather high taxi fare from the airport to Atocha... The ALSA bus service directly from the terminal 4 can be quite convenient at times.

 

[Jenyat53]

Thanks Arthur, I had just come to that conclusion myself. Looks like a lot less stress, apart from the vagaries of the Alsa website. I've not had success in the past booking with Alsa from Australia so would welcome any tips people have found through experience.

 

[Deleted member 34316]

True, Alsa still does not like foreign debit or credit cards. I also had to use Paypal to buy a ticket from San Sebastian to Burgos a couple of weeks ago.
But it is good to know both options - in case your flight arrives late (and I hope it won't) you can just walk down to the Alsa terminal on T4, buy the ticket from the ticket machine and get on the bus. The price is 31 euro to Pamplona.
I wish you Buen Camino, Jeny! Bring a baby kangaroo with you

 

[whariwharangi]

Thanks Arthur, I had just come to that conclusion myself. Looks like a lot less stress, apart from the vagaries of the Alsa website. I've not had success in the past booking with Alsa from Australia so would welcome any tips people have found through experience.

ALSA buses to Pamplona leave from Madrid Intercambiador de Avenida de America. Some, but not all, buses make a stop at airport T4.

Intercambiador de Avenida de America is reached by EMT Madrid bus #200 which picks up at several locations at the airport.

This becomes important if your timings don't match with the airport departure.

There are frequent departures ... so reservations in advance are probably not needed unless you are traveling on a statutory holiday. Buy the ticket at the terminal.

Usually there is a transfer at Soria or Zaragosa.

 

[Jenyat53]

Thank you Whariwharangi, you are a fountain of wisdom .
Ok Arthur, will just pop up the mountain in my back yard and collect one. Will have to bring the mother as well 'cos they live in pouches till they are quite large
I live in Canberra, so can walk 6 kms into the city centre or up to the top of a 880m mountain (with lots of kangaroos) in half an hour, both from my front door.
Love coming home!
Thank goodness for Paypal I say!!

 

[Urban Trekker]

I arrive at Terminal 4s at 13:45 pm (12 April).
I am wondering about the quickest way to ensure that I get to Atocha station to catch my 15:30 train to Pamplona.
Would it be quicker to grab a taxi or take the connecting train?
Many thanks for any shared wisdom.

You are leaving yourself a very very small window to get to the Atocha Station. Do you already have a train ticket? Maybe the ALSA bus to Pamplona would be best. I will arrive in Madrid at 0900 and will take bus 203 to the Atocha Train Station. It leaves terminal 2 every 15 minuets and take a hour, longer during rush hours to get there. I have reservations for the 1505 train. Lots of time to get there. I'm thinking a cab would be your best bet but very expensive. Good luck. Buen Camino

 

[Jenyat53]

Thanks Urban Trekker I think that research has convinced me that the bus is the way to go. I bought the train ticket in good faith that it would be ok, but buying a bus ticket will be less stressful than the taxi potentially stuck in traffic and probably cheaper than the taxi fare
ps love your signature block!

 

[RChristian]

Thank you everyone. It will be a challenging start to my Camino I see. I booked the train after advice from the person collecting me in Pamplona suggested the train to catch knowing my plane arrival time. Qué será será!

I'm in a similar situation arriving on 30APR, curious if you were able to make the train??? Thanks!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Bus from the airport is best and I have both reserved from home and bought on site. Good luck.

 

[Jenyat53]

Hi RChristian
My plane was 25 minutes late in (2:10 instead of 1:45) and luggage took ages. I only needed my poles as I had carried on my backpack. My poles were in first dozen items off and I only made the bus at T4 with 10 mins to spare so would not have made the train in any way.
Buen suerte a tu.
Buen Camino

 

[RChristian]

Hi RChristian
My plane was 25 minutes late in (2:10 instead of 1:45) and luggage took ages. I only needed my poles as I had carried on my backpack. My poles were in first dozen items off and I only made the bus at T4 with 10 mins to spare so would not have made the train in any way.
Buen suerte a tu.
Buen Camino

That's pretty much what I expected, figure I'll plan for the worst and anticipate taking the bus. By the by... did you purchase your ticket ahead of time, or at T4? Gracias por tu ayuda, y Buen Camino!

 

[Jenyat53]

I bought it online from Alsa before I left Oz. you can pay with PayPal to avoid issues with foreign credit cards.

 

[Gemajams]

I arrive at Terminal 4s at 13:45 pm (12 April).
I am wondering about the quickest way to ensure that I get to Atocha station to catch my 15:30 train to Pamplona.
Would it be quicker to grab a taxi or take the connecting train?
Many thanks for any shared wisdom.

Jenyata53, how did the timing workout? I have the same questions and similar timeframes as you...wondering if the two leeway is sufficient? This assumes all goes well. Is it possible to get off your plan and get the train station given all parameters?

 

[Jenyat53]

Jenyata53, how did the timing workout? I have the same questions and similar timeframes as you...wondering if the two leeway is sufficient? This assumes all goes well. Is it possible to get off your plan and get the train station given all parameters?

Sorry for delayed reply Gemajams. The time seemed just a bit too tight
I decided to catch the Alsa bus to Pamplona instead. It was great!! No problems at all.

 

[Gemajams]

Sorry for delayed reply Gemajams. The time seemed just a bit too tight
I decided to catch the Alsa bus to Pamplona instead. It was great!! No problems at all.

Thanks Jenyat53, i already purchased do i'll give it my best otherwise I'll consider it a donation to Renfe.

 

[Jenyat53]

Excellent perspective Gemajams. That's exactly how I saw it!! The Spanish economy can do with any support we can offer I suspect ! Buen Camino

 

[Gemajams]

Best day ever!!! My journey has begun from JFK, New York to Madrid, arriving 9/4/17

 

[Sailor]

Best day ever!!! My journey has begun from JFK, New York to Madrid, arriving 9/4/17

Wow, you are off them! Good luck in Madrid and all inter-connecting points. Have a buen camino, y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.