Train station in Madrid

[Siouxzy]

Hi! I'm flying into Madrid from the US. Does anyone know if it's easy to find the train station from the airport?

 

[VNwalking]

Siouxzy, which one?
You can easily get the metro into town right from the airport and then depending on the station (Chamartin or Atocha) you will have to change to another line going either north or south--there is an easy to follow map here:
https://www.metromadrid.es/export/sites/metro/comun/documentos/planos/Planoesquematicoingles.pdf

 

[jpflavin1]

Yes, and there are two main stations. Chamartin and Puerta de Atocha. You can get to either one by Cercanias train (runs every half hour) from terminal 4 (approx.2 euro's) or by cab from any terminal for (approx. 30 euro's). I have never taken a bus to either but am sure someone will advise.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[Siouxzy]

Siouxzy, which one?
You can easily get the metro into town right from the airport and then depending on the station (Chamartin or Atocha) you will have to change to another line going either north or south--there is an easy to follow map here:
https://www.metromadrid.es/export/sites/metro/comun/documentos/planos/Planoesquematicoingles.pdf

Thank you very much!!

 

[grayland]

It is very simple to take the Cercanias (light rail) directly from the airport to either main train station. (NOT the Metro)
You will, no doubt, arrive in Terminal 1. Take the free shuttle bus to T4. After entering the door where the shuttle drops you...turn right and take the elevator down. Look for Renfe signs. There is a ticket office to the right. Do not follow the Metro signs.
If you need train tickets or Cercanias tickets you can get them in the little Renfe Office right there.

Go down the stairs and catch the cercanias train to the train station. Charmartin is the second stop, if I remember correctly.
You do not have to transfer.

 

[VNwalking]

Thanks Grayland, for that correction...much easier. Now I know how to do it right!

 

[Siouxzy]

Siouxzy, which one?
You can easily get the metro into town right from the airport and then depending on the station (Chamartin or Atocha) you will have to change to another line going either north or south--there is an easy to follow map here:
https://www.metromadrid.es/export/sites/metro/comun/documentos/planos/Planoesquematicoingles.pdf

I guess I'm catching a train from Madrid to Pamplona. Can I get on one going there from the airport? Kinda confusing. Never used rail services before.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

If you have not already booked your train, you could also take the bus right from the airport (terminal 4) to Pamplona via Soria, in under 5 hours. Visit the Alsa bus company website (www.alsa.es) to buy your ticket from home. By the way, the Madrid aiport is called Barajas and on websites for the bus it will most likely say Madrid Barajas T4.

 

[Kanga]

Actually that is Madrid Barajas T4! Narajas are oranges. Good to see that predictive texts fouls up just as much in Spanish as English.

 

[KinkyOne]

Actually that is Madrid Barajas T4! Narajas are oranges. Good to see that predictive texts fouls up just as much in Spanish as English.

I'm sure that was a typo (very common in Anemone posts - I think she already gave an explanation to this in one of her posts), because B and N are close on keyboards. Much more so if typing on smart phone.

Also oranges in Spanish are naraNjas

 

[Kanga]

You are right. My eyes need checking.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I'm sure that was a typo (very common in Anemone posts - I think she already gave an explanation to this in one of her posts), because B and N are close on keyboards. Much more so if typing on smart phone.

Also oranges in Spanish are naraNjas

Thank you KinkyOne. Yes, because I use this tablet in 3 languages I have given up on auto-correct sinc it keeps replacing words that are meant to be there by others. You would think with all this technology they could make these machines at last bilingual. If anuone knows how to teach my Ipad a new language without forgetting the first I am all ears. FYI, the airport is refered to as Barajas because that is the name of the arae where it's located. Also 'barajas' is a deck of playing cards

 

[jpflavin1]

I guess I'm catching a train from Madrid to Pamplona. Can I get on one going there from the airport? Kinda confusing. Never used rail services before.

Siouxzy:

If you are going to Pamplona you will be leaving from the Puerta de Atocha train station. You can not go directly to Pamplona from the airport by train. You have to take the Cercanias train to Puerta de Atocha.

The directions to the Cercanias train, given by Grayland, are perfect. Purchasing your ticket here (RENFE office lower level T4) is a good idea because train stations tend to have lines. You can take a cab directly to Puerta de Atocha, from any terminal for (approx. 30 euros).

You can also take a bus from T4, if you prefer. I like the train because you have room to get up and walk around. They also have a little cafe car.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[Anniesantiago]

I have taken both the train and the bus from Madrid to Pamplona and I much prefer the bus!
You catch the bus right outside Terminal 4 - pay the driver - and see the scenery!
So you see it is a matter of choice.
The buses are beautiful Mercedes buses and the trip is quite comfortable.
There is a toilet on board.

If you plan on catching the cercanius, you can find information on what to expect online.
It's often best to buy your ticket from the many machines, because there is usually only ONE attendant in the tiny office, and I've had the experience of (literally) sitting and waiting 45 minutes while he helped the one customer in front of me, while the last train to make my connection took off.

If you decide on the train and you're over 55, you can also purchase a Tarjeta Dorada from the attendant FIRST, which will give you a nice discount on train tickets for a year. But I still find the bus more to my liking. It's quicker and easier, imo.

 

[peregrina2000]

I guess I'm catching a train from Madrid to Pamplona. Can I get on one going there from the airport? Kinda confusing. Never used rail services before.

Siouxzy, if you haven't already booked your plane ticket I would check out the "multi city" (also called open jaw) option and fly into Pamplona and then out of Santiago. I got a tip on the forum several years ago and learned that this option is usually as cheap or even cheaper (and certainly much easier) than changing from plane to train or bus.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Siouxzy:

If you are going to Pamplona you will be leaving from the Puerta de Atocha train station. You can not go direct from airport.

The directions to the Cercanias train, given by Grayland, are perfect. Purchasing your ticket here (RENFE office lower level T4) is a good idea because train stations tend to have lines. You can take a cab directly to Puerta de Atocha, from any terminal for (approx. 30 euros).

You can also take a bus from T4, if you prefer. I like the train because you have room to get up and walk around. They also have a little cafe car.

Ultreya,
Joe

I certainly was able to find tickets from the airport, as the second stop, hence the importance of booking. And anniesantiago comfirms.