Timing

[DAK]

Flying into Madrid landing at 9:40 and planning to take the train to Leon where I will begin my journey. Am wondering how much time will be needed to get through MAD and get to Chamartin train station? I want to buy the ticket for Leon.

 

[skeyes0715]

I think Chamartin is 40-45 minute taxi ride.

 

[angus55morrison]

An Alsa bus coach direct from the airport to Leon about 25 Euro.

 

[Paul McAmino]

Baggage is a little slow in MAD, so give yourself a little time. The passport control was not bad,but I think there were no other international flights at the time I got there. I had to wait for the ticketing for the Cercanias to open (10:00, as I recall), as my code for the free ticket (it’s free when you buy your ticket to León) was not read by the ticket machine.
The trains to Chamartin run frequently ~every half hour, and it’s an 11 minute ride. You can then get on a fast train to León, and be there in a couple of hours. The one I’m thinking of left at about 2:30 or so. There are also the regular, slower local trains. I was in León by supper time (for me), which was a little difficult, since most eating establishments are closed until 1900 or 2000, 7 or 8 pm. If you’re jet lagged it may be hard to wait up for dinner.
Buy your ticket for León online at the Renfe site (It’s simple, and there is an English option, if you need it) as soon as you can. You’ll get a good price that way, and a seat.
I’ve done this three or four times, and it works well for me.
Good luck, and buen Camino.
Paul

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I had to eat a non-refundable fare when an hour was not enough. Since then, I just buy the ticket when I get to the Renfe ticket office at the airport. It is next to the shuttle train to Chamartin, so they will know the lowest fare for the next train, and it may be less than what you pay online now.

 

[Bala]

Baggage is a little slow in MAD, so give yourself a little time. The passport control was not bad,but I think there were no other international flights at the time I got there. I had to wait for the ticketing for the Cercanias to open (10:00, as I recall), as my code for the free ticket (it’s free when you buy your ticket to León) was not read by the ticket machine.
The trains to Chamartin run frequently ~every half hour, and it’s an 11 minute ride. You can then get on a fast train to León, and be there in a couple of hours. The one I’m thinking of left at about 2:30 or so. There are also the regular, slower local trains. I was in León by supper time (for me), which was a little difficult, since most eating establishments are closed until 1900 or 2000, 7 or 8 pm. If you’re jet lagged it may be hard to wait up for dinner.
Buy your ticket for León online at the Renfe site (It’s simple, and there is an English option, if you need it) as soon as you can. You’ll get a good price that way, and a seat.
I’ve done this three or four times, and it works well for me.
Good luck, and buen Camino.
Paul

I did the same last fall. If you buy your ticket in advance you take the shuttle train from the airport to the station for free. Come out of baggage claim, turn right and follow the signs.

One caveat, check schedules in case your plane is late. My flight was 4 hours delayed leaving the US, 3 hours late arriving in Spain. It happens. Fortunately I had a very long layover in Madrid, so I arrived at Chamartin with an hour still to spare.

 

[DAK]

Thank you all. I was looking at the train from the airport. I will not have any checked baggage. That’s why I was trying to figure out how long it would take me to leave that airport. I appreciate all your input.

 

[Anamya]

I give another vote for the Alsa Bus that departs from the airport. I took the Alsa to Burgos in my CF and it worked perfectly. It was awesome not to have to commute even more before getting there

 

[lavender girl]

Please, Anamya, how long does it take for the bus from Madrid airport to get to Burgos?

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Please, Anamya, how long does it take for the bus from Madrid airport to get to Burgos?

It is around three hours once on board the bus.

 

[Anamiri]

Is the trip to Leon just a little longer?
Do you have to book tickets ahead (Alsa) or can you buy them on the day?

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Is the trip to Leon just a little longer?
Do you have to book tickets ahead (Alsa) or can you buy them on the day?

It is about 3.5 to 4 hours. It also depends on the time of day, as there seem to be more frequent stops at some times than others. When my son Caleb was meeting me in Leon in October, he caught the Alsa out of Madrid airport at around 9 pm and arrived at the Leon bus terminal around 2:30 am.

 

[lavender girl]

It is around three hours once on board the bus.

Thank you.....

 

[november_moon]

I've taken the ALSA bus from the airport and the train from Chamartin and Atocha. Both are good options, although the ALSA bus is more convinient because it leaves from the airport, so one less step in the process. Taking the Cercanias train to either Charmartin or Atocha is easy though.

For the ALSA bus, when I have taken it from the airport, I have just bought a ticket for the next departing bus - I haven't bought tickets ahead of time and it was fine. There's a cafe just across from the ticket counter where you can sip coffee and have a snack while waiting for the bus.

 

[lavender girl]

Thank you for such a comprehensive and informative reply. It is great to have options. As a lone traveller I appreciate all of the help of the wonderful pilgrims here.

 

[Samarkand]

A related question. So I bought a train ticket from Atocha to Pamplona online. How exactly do I get on the free shuttle feom MAD? Do I enter the "CombinadoCercanias" code in the machine and it prints me a ticket?

 

[trecile]

A related question. So I bought a train ticket from Atocha to Pamplona online. How exactly do I get on the free shuttle feom MAD? Do I enter the "CombinadoCercanias" code in the machine and it prints me a ticket?

I've just gone to the information booth at the station and they printed the ticket for me.

 

[Samarkand]

I've just gone to the information booth at the station and they printed the ticket for me.

Thanks!