Pilgrim Farmer John
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Past: Le Puy to Finnesterre, 2013
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Thanks for your input! Building confidence into our planI've taken the train from Santiago to Madrid (Chamartin Station) on three occasions and I have done the flight to Barajas once.
I find the 3.5 to 4 hour train ride to be nice and relaxing. I much prefer the train over the flight, but I've never had to continue onto the Airport. A search shows a lot of daily trains from Chamartin Station to T4 at the airport. Overall I do prefer train travel inside of Spain over flying.
It depends on the type of ticket you purchase. The cheapest tickets will be non-refundable and non-changeable.Tickets purchased on line have a specific departure time. Are these times final? Can you use ticket for a later departure if you are delayed en route?
Can you use ticket for a later departure if you are delayed en route?
I have taken the train and have flown. On the train most of the seats face each other and being 6'2'" (1.89) I found the train uncomfortable. I have found the prices of my flights from Santiago to Madrid to be about the same as the train. In once it was far cheaper to fly. If you are leaving the same day from Madrid you are already at the airport and have no need to worry. You get the added treat of walking from a domestic flight to an international flight (If you are flying internationally that is). That walk is a camino in itself!When booking tickets, which train station in Madrid has best connections to the airport? Tickets purchased on line have a specific departure time. Are these times final? Can you use ticket for a later departure if you are delayed en route?
Faye and others, we are planning to take the train from Santiago to Madrid on April 5 to catch a flight on April 6. Do you know if it is important to reserve tickets in advance and if so, how far in advance? Thanks!There is now a high speed train. I have my ticket for May booked leaving Santiago at 5 to 5pm and arriving in Madrid around 8:30 IIRC. That will take me to Madrid Chamartin station and I will be staying overnight until I get my flight at 7am the day after.
High speed schedules are available on RENFE.ES — I did have to use PayPal to purchase my ticket; my VISA simply would not process through the RENFE site.
I don't know for sure.Faye and others, we are planning to take the train from Santiago to Madrid on April 5 to catch a flight on April 6. Do you know if it is important to reserve tickets in advance and if so, how far in advance? Thanks!
Not sure if youre keen on flying but I managed to book a flight from Santiago to Madrid with Ryanair which ended up cheaper than the train. Good luck!When booking tickets, which train station in Madrid has best connections to the airport? Tickets purchased on line have a specific departure time. Are these times final? Can you use ticket for a later departure if you are delayed en route?
Specifically, No… You can’t use your ticket for other departures! If you have a ticket that can be exchanged or refunded some have time limits ( perhaps 24hr prior to departure) on refunds…so see specifics regarding your ticket.When booking tickets, which train station in Madrid has best connections to the airport? Tickets purchased on line have a specific departure time. Are these times final? Can you use ticket for a later departure if you are delayed en route?
I have taken the train and have flown. On the train most of the seats face each other and being 6'2'" (1.89) I found the train uncomfortable. I have found the prices of my flights from Santiago to Madrid to be about the same as the train. In once it was far cheaper to fly. If you are leaving the same day from Madrid you are already at the airport and have no need to worry. You get the added treat of walking from a domestic flight to an international flight (If you are flying internationally that is). That walk is a camino in itself!
Thank you for definitive answer.Specifically, No… You can’t use your ticket for other departures! If you have a ticket that can be exchanged or refunded some have time limits ( perhaps 24hr prior to departure) on refunds…so see specifics regarding your ticket.
Are you sure about that? My memory is that each car only had two sets of those “facing each other” seats, with a small table in the middle. The rest were rows of two all facing in the same direction. At least that’s my memory, based on two rides within the past year. But I can’t vouch for my memory these days!On the train most of the seats face each other
I agree, only the ones with the table face each other. I think it's one table row per train. Renfe also has an option to pre-select your seat.Are you sure about that? My memory is that each car only had two sets of those “facing each other” seats, with a small table in the middle. The rest were rows of two all facing in the same direction. At least that’s my memory, based on two rides within the past year. But I can’t vouch for my memory these days!
Are you sure about that? My memory is that each car only had two sets of those “facing each other” seats, with a small table in the middle. The rest were rows of two all facing in the same direction. At least that’s my memory, based on two rides within the past year. But I can’t vouch for my memory these days!
What you both say may possibly be true. But the first time I took the train I reserved my seat when they still had a travel agent in the Pilgrim office. She bought my ticket and she said she did not have the ability to pick a seat for me. I believe that was in 2015. In 2017 I bought my ticket at the station and didn't even think about asking (dumb me) about seating. But both times only a few seats in the car I was in did not face the other passengers. Either way I would still much rather fly.agree, only the ones with the table face each other. I think it's one table row per train. Renfe also has an option to pre-select your seat.
Que? You are making a train connection in the same railway station. If you are concerned as to a change of platform at Ourense 12 minutes is plenty of time. My recollection is that both trains are served by the same platform but you will have to sprint if you want a coffee 'cos the buffet is on the opposite side.I recently purchased a RENFE ticket from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid. There was no problem buying it, but when I printed it out it showed that I have two "trayectos." Trayecto 1 is Santiago Compos 14.00, with Destino Ourense 14.38 (AVANT). Trayecto 2 is Ourense 14.50, with Destino Madrid-Chamart 17.36 (ALVIA). Does anyone know about the Ourense train station? Will I actually be able to get from what looks like one train to another in just 12 minutes? Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks for your reply! I am not a fast walker, and even trains in the same station can be challenging for me. This was so confusing to me, but it seems it will work out in the end. I sent an email to the Tourism Office in Ourense, and they said, "Yes, do not worry, the train station is small, and 10 minutes is enough to change the train, even if there is at the furthest platform. I am afraid we don't have a map of the train station. But, do not worry, you will not have to hurry to change the train. Bytheway, sometimes it is the same train."Que? You are making a train connection in the same railway station. If you are concerned as to a change of platform at Ourense 12 minutes is plenty of time. My recollection is that both trains are served by the same platform but you will have to sprint if you want a coffee 'cos the buffet is on the opposite side.
Edit: I'm impressed that you managed to secure a "through" ticket. Which provider did you use?
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