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Trouble with train booking from Madrid to Pamplona. Is the bus better?

T

Tosch

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
September 2016
Hi everyone

I'm a newbie and so grateful for this forum. So I implore the wisdom of your collective experience and humour in helping me to get started!
I've only just decided to change my Camino plans and begin in Roncesvalles. I arrive from Australia on Sep 5th and plan to catch a train to Pamplona on Sep 6th then bus to Roncesvalles. My trouble has been is that I've gone onto the Renfe website to book but it says that the trains were not available as yet (for booking I imagine?...). I really don't want to call them but will if I have to. So my question is should I wait ( try booking tomorrow?), ditch the train, or is catching a bus better?
I would like to start walking on Sep 7th.

Any advice?
All insights, and fabulous tips most appreciated.
Thank you all.

Lisa
 
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The Renfe website indicates there are several trains available for 6th September. Use Madred(Todas) as origin. Note the train from the airport is Renfe Cercanias commuter train and not the train to Pamplona.

You might want to try buying in Australia at a Renfe International Sales Point as per:
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/viajes_internacionales/puntosventa_internacional.html

Train is definitely faster and more comfortable than the bus.
 
The advantage to booking early is that the price is usually cheaper and you get a choice of seats. As was suggested overnight in Madrid - there are (from memory) two trains from Atocha to Pamplona - the morning one departs around 10.00-10.30 and as you are travelling on Tuesday (6th Sep) it should not be booked out. I think the train arrives in Pamplona around 2.00 pm so you should be able to get the bus. You will probably find a few fellow pilgrims who will also be getting the bus or share a taxi. Buen Camino.
 
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Hello, one time we simply took the train/metro from the airport to the Atocha train station and bought our tickets to Pamplona. Easy peasy.

On our second Camino, we bought our tickets online and printed them out at home. We found that purchasing the train ticket from the Atocha station to Pamplona online included the train/metro section from the airport to the Atocha station. You have to stop at the Renfe automatic ticket machine in the airport (after you have exited the secure zone) on your way to the airports' train/metro station and enter a code from your purchase. The machine then prints off your ticket from the airport to the Atocha station. The Renfe folks at the airport were very helpful and friendly to us lost, confused and sleep deprived pilgrims.

On our third Camino, we did not buy online (this time from Lisbon to Porto) since we could not print the tickets (they had to mail them and there was not enough time), so we decided to simply purchase once we got to the train station. We were not able to get the train we wanted, it was sold out, and it cost us three hours of time (combination of later departure and slower train) we lost to walk from the Cathedral in Porto to Matosinhos.

Having taken the bus from Santiago to Porto after our Portuguese Camino, take the train. Faster and generally more comfortable, you can walk around, get something to eat or drink, etc.
 
Have you considered taking the bus? It leaves from the airport. Easy peasy. And you can book your ticket online.
 
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The earlier you book on the trains and buses in Spain the cheaper the ticket is, as a rule.
There is an Alsa bus that leaves from Madrid Airport to Pamplona. Download the Alsa App. it is great. The bus to Roncesvalles is the same price ( expensive) whether you buy it now or on the day. Good Luck... Buen Camino Lisa
 
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Thanks for that. Makes me feel better.
 
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Thanks for all your swift replies. I'm so touched by everyone's help. And yes, I didn't realise there would be more responses. I have tried to book direct online with Renfe but my payment wouldn't go through yesterday. However, shall persist.
 
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