Transport from Santiago to Madrid

[Elsabe Beard]

What is the best and easiest way to get from Santiago to Madrid after the Camino? How long does it take to get to Madrid?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Train is most comfortable. This is a typical schedule, but may vary on the date you want to travel:

 

[GerFol]

If you want to get there quickly, Ryanair fly daily from Santiago to Madrid (flght time is just over one hour) and depending on how far in advance you book, the ticket price can be as low as €35. www.ryanair.com

 

[peregrina2000]

If you're going to Madrid for purposes if catching a plane to go home, consider adding on the santiago-Madrid to your international ticket. For the last few years, my ticket has been US-Madrid-starting city and Santiago-Madrid-US and the cost increment has been small. It also means I can leave Santiago on day if departure from Madrid, which saves a day of travel.

The risk with buying a separate Santiago -Madrid ticket is that if the flight is late and you miss your connection, it's your problem.

Buen camino.

 

[PhillyPeregrinita]

I bought my Ryanair flight for 25 euro. Iberia also flies Santiago to Madrid. Ryanair only has 3 flights a day so check your departure time in Madrid and buy the flight before the one that should her you there even if it means a night in Madrid which it does for me but better than missing my international flight if there are delays.

 

[whariwharangi]

There are 4 practical ways:

Plane Train Bus Automobile.

'Best' and 'Easiest' are qualitative terms. You'll have to do your own options analysis.

Santiago airport includes information about airlines and destinations.
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Santiago/es/Inicio.html

Estacion de Autobuses de Santiago includes information about bus companies and destinations.
http://www.tussa.org/web/interior.php?txt=arbore_web5&lg=cas

Renfe is Spains train network.
http://www.renfe.com/

Budget car rental Spain
http://www.budget.es/

 

[KentuckyJay]

What is the best and easiest way to get from Santiago to Madrid after the Camino? How long does it take to get to Madrid?

I would check out flying. I flew into Santiago from Madrid and then took a train to Leon and began my hike from there. That way I was able to store my "street" clothes while I was on the Camino. Most hotels will hold your stuff if you spend a night there either before of after your hike. The Santiago airport is just a 20 minute ride from downtown Santiago.

 

[biloute]

Ryanair is cheap, but keep in mind that price does not include ANY checked luggage. I haven't flown with them personally but I've heard that your carry-on has to be small as well.

 

[Don Hoff]

Ryanair is cheap, but keep in mind that price does not include ANY checked luggage. I haven't flown with them personally but I've heard that your carry-on has to be small as well.

Someone said that they had some trouble with Ryan since as a passenger they had forgotten to print out their boarding pass, and the cost without it was rough the roof, so beware if that is still an issue

 

[Elsabe Beard]

Thanks for all the information. I've booked Ryanair, 23 euro! (Iberia 164 euro!!!) I must just keep my backpack under 10kg and the dimension can't be bigger than 55x40x20. Thank you for telling me about printing out my boarding pass.

 

[Jacquelineharris]

Someone said that they had some trouble with Ryan since as a passenger they had forgotten to print out their boarding pass, and the cost without it was rough the roof, so beware if that is still an issue

How is it possible to print out the boarding pass if we check in via mobile?

 

[Al the optimist]

Thanks for all the information. I've booked Ryanair, 23 euro! (Iberia 164 euro!!!) I must just keep my backpack under 10kg and the dimension can't be bigger than 55x40x20. Thank you for telling me about printing out my boarding pass.

From the Ryanair web site:-
"One cabin bag weighing up to 10 kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, plus 1 small bag up to 35 x 20 x 20 cms may be carried per passenger*.

Due to cabin space limitations only 90 large cabin bags (55 x 40 x 20 cms) can be carried in the cabin, any remainder will be carried free of charge in the aircraft hold."

 

[whariwharangi]

How is it possible to print out the boarding pass if we check in via mobile?

See Ryanair mobile boarding pass service:
http://www.ryanair.com/en/questions/does-ryanair-have-a-mobile-boarding-pass-service/

 

[Jacquelineharris]

Train is most comfortable. This is a typical schedule, but may vary on the date you want to travel:
View attachment 11829

I don't speak Spanish and trying to book the train one way for a certain day. How criticial is it that I book this train in advance

See Ryanair mobile boarding pass service:
http://www.ryanair.com/en/questions/does-ryanair-have-a-mobile-boarding-pass-service/

Thank you!! That makes life easier!!

 

[whariwharangi]

I don't speak Spanish and trying to book the train one way for a certain day. How criticial is it that I book this train in advance

Thank you!! That makes life easier!!

The only issue is if you try to travel on a holiday ... then the trains are full.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I do not think it is critical. At the moment all the trains to Madrid have seats. On the other hand the trains to Barcelona are fully booked for the next week except for a couple of days for the trenhotel.

 

[rickster]

The only issue is if you try to travel on a holiday ... then the trains are full.

Not only do you have to "print" a boarding pass in advance. After you check in and before you go through screening, you must get your boarding pass stamped at a separate desk by Ryanair. If you play by their rules, they are very economical. If you forget to do something or if you get caught requiring your bag to be checked, then it becomes expensive.