Via de la Plata

[paulsue1230]

Myself and my partner are hoping to start the Camino from Merida but are not sure how to get there. We are leaving Australia early May and have only got about 30 days to walk, hence the reason why we want to leave from Merida.
We were thinking of flying internation into Madrid but am not sure how we get to Merida.
If anyone has any advise that would be great.
Thanks Sue

 

[jirit]

Hi Sue

The easiest way to get to Merida is to train to Seville and then take the bus from Seville to Salmanca. It runs daily approx 6 times per day, and stops in Merida.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola PaulSue. What date are you expecting to start from Merida?? I am walking the VDLP Camino and hope to depart Merida around 17 May. The last poster offered advice that tallied with my research: train from Madrid (high speed takes around 3 hours - depending on stops) and then either another train or a bus - but I think the train had better options, especially concerning arrival times in Merida. As for how to get to Madrid - I am flying Emirates (via Dubai) which allows for about 2.5 hours on the ground in Dubai. Emirates also operate out of Melbourne (now with A380s) but I am not aware of the departure times. Sure you will find cheaper flights but this is definitely the shortest in terms of total time from east coast of Oz.

Beun Camino - send me a PM if you want more details etc: 8)

 

[alansykes]

There is one direct train as well as the more regular bus service. It leaves Seville at 4.54pm and gets to Mérida at 8.43.

If you are coming via Madrid anyway, it would probaby be quicker (and a lot cheaper) to skip Seville and take the direct train from Madrid to Mérida - two direct trains a day go on the Madrid-Badajoz line and take a bit under five hours to Mérida.

Do try to spend time in Mérida, it's a fabulous town.

 

[jirit]

Hi Sue

I agree with Alan that it might make sense to train directly to Merida and bypass Seville.

I might also suggest given the time you have you may to consider starting in Salmanca instead. Merida only shaves off 10 days from the walk leaving you approximately 32 days to reach Santiago. This does not allow any extra time for places like Salmanca or even Santiago. A bit rushed if you ask me.

If you are arriving in Spain into Madrid directly from Australia then you have no time to get over the jet lag. Personally I would take the train directly to Salmanca and enjoy a copy of days sightseeing and getting over the jet lag, and then start your walk to Santiago from Salmanca. Salmanca is approximately 1/2 way or about 21 days to reach Santiago.

You should even have enough time to walk out to Finisterre and Muxia (4 more days).

 

[hotelmedicis]

Buses. They are much cheaper than trains in Spain.

http://www.socibus.es Madrid to Sevilla is something like €21.85, takes 6 hours and there are night buses leaing at midnight.

These buses are found at the "Estación Sur" which is at metro stop Mendez Alvaro on the circle line number 6 (silver). They have their own window and you can buy the ticket right there or also on the internet.

Since you do have 30 days you could, alternatively, fly into Sevilla and start directly from there. You have 30 days so very do-able depending on your rate per day, etc. 40km/day would be 25 days, more or less.