How to make a train connection after a flight change?

[EL LECHERO]

Delta changed my flight and I won't arrive to Madrid until 0915am. I purchased a train ticket to Pamplona and it leaves at 1135am.....I'm worried I will miss it. Thoughts suggestions advice?

 

[jcat]

As long as your flight is somewhat on time, you should have plenty of time to get to Atocha Station.

Where is your flight originating from? If you clear customs at another connection in the EU, then you will be out of the Madrid airport very quickly. Even with going through customs you should have enough time. Plus taxis and Uber are an option if time gets limited.

 

[Vacajoe]

It’s POSSIBLE you’ll make that connection, but only if everything goes smoothly! Bus from the airport to the train station is 45 mins, metro 30, and a cab could be faster or slower depending on traffic. Immigration/customs is always a huge unknown - sometimes 30 minutes, sometimes much more if multiple planes land at the same time or there are many non-EU folks on board.

Madrid is a major rail hub, so if you miss your train there will likely be more towards Pamplona later that day. If your ticket isn’t changeable (many are), you can gamble on making it and always buy a new ticket if you miss your train (or if your Spanish is good, explain yourself ask at the station office and see if they’ll credit your unused ticket towards a new one - doesn’t always happen, but you could get lucky as a foreign pilgrim!)

 

[peregrina2000]

Delta changed my flight and I won't arrive to Madrid until 0915am. I purchased a train ticket to Pamplona and it leaves at 1135am.....I'm worried I will miss it. Thoughts suggestions advice?

If you are flying on Delta, you arrive in the old terminal, which means you have different choices than those who arrive in T4 (Iberia and partners).

1. Take the intra-airport bus to T4 and take the half hour train ride on Cercanías (the commuter rail line) to Atocha.

2. Take the metro from the old terminal to Atocha. This will require a change in Nuevos Ministerios (which is a huge station with long distances between lines) and takes about a half hour if everything goes well.

3. A bus that seems like a pretty good option, but which I have never taken.

Madrid Airport Bus

Information about how to go by bus from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to city centre

www.madrid-airport.com

4. A taxi — 35 € flat fee. In a pinch, this is likely to be the fastest, at least if it’s not high rush hour.

Good luck, @EL LECHERO!

 

[t2andreo]

I recommend you research later train or bus times to get from Madrid to Pamplona. Stuff happens.

It is always advisable to have a Plan B, or a Plan C. I am certain there are later trains.

Flexibility is part of the fun of a Camino. You need to learn how to role with unanticipated changes.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[jsalt]

Thoughts suggestions advice?

SO annoying when airlines do that. Definitely have a Plan B if you miss your train.

 

[Amused212]

If you are flying on Delta, you arrive in the old terminal, which means you have different choices than those who arrive in T4 (Iberia and partners).

1. Take the intra-airport bus to T4 and take the half hour train ride on Cercanías (the commuter rail line) to Atocha.

2. Take the metro from the old terminal to Atocha. This will require a change in Nuevos Ministerios (which is a huge station with long distances between lines) and takes about a half hour if everything goes well.

3. A bus that seems like a pretty good option, but which I have never taken.

Madrid Airport Bus

Information about how to go by bus from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to city centre

www.madrid-airport.com

4. A taxi — 35 € flat fee. In a pinch, this is likely to be the fastest, at least if it’s not high rush hour.

Good luck, @EL LECHERO!

What is the terminal number that Delta flies in to? Also, will my flight from Santiago to Madrid fly into T4 or another?

 

[peregrina2000]

Delta flies into the old airport, which is broken into three sections, T1, T2, and T3. Those three are all very close to each other, I’m not sure which specific part of the old terminal Delta goes into, but it really doesn’t matter because knowing that it’s not T4 means you know you don’t have easy access to Cercanías and will have to use the intra-airport bus to get to T4.

Which airline is your flight from Santiago to Madrid on? I always fly on Iberia or Iberia Express and they go into T4. I don’t know if there are other airlines that fly from Santiago to Madrid, though.

 

[Marbe2]

It takes about 20-25 minutes from the time you get into the taxi at MAD until you reach the Atocha train station. Usually you need to have your luggage screened to get to your train. So I would simply forget other transport, jump in a cab and if you come into Madrid on time you should be OK.

You also might want to just take carry your pack in the plane with you and if you need poles buy them in SJPdP or inPamplona. Then you won’t have to wait for luggage.

 

[J Willhaus]

My husband took the Airport Bus from the Atocha Station this fall. It was 5 euros. It is a yellow bus and goes back and forth to Atocha. Is your train out of Atocha or Charmartin stations?

 

[henrythedog]

Delta changed my flight and I won't arrive to Madrid until 0915am. I purchased a train ticket to Pamplona and it leaves at 1135am.....I'm worried I will miss it. Thoughts suggestions advice?

Honestly, it’s unlikely you’ll make that train.

The flight arrives 0915 + or - some time. You have to pass immigration, collect baggage and pass the health officials who will check your entry documentation and covid vaccination status. Then you need to get to Atocha (I use the yellow aerobús) where you have to (briefly) pass your bag through security and get on the train.

If I were you I would book a later train or an overnight in Madrid - my usual option. It’s your decision, but I try to take the stress out of travel.

(Double check whether your train is from Atocha or Chamartin)

 

[Marbe2]

I have done exactly what El Lerchero is proposing - depending upon what day and time of year you are arriving - It is doable. I have done it twice. My plane arrived about the same time, and I made it with a bit of time to spare. I did purchase a second ticket, each time, way in advance, very cheap leaving a couple of hours later, in case I missed my train…but never needed them.

 

[gloria lowe]

Delta changed my flight and I won't arrive to Madrid until 0915am. I purchased a train ticket to Pamplona and it leaves at 1135am.....I'm worried I will miss it. Thoughts suggestions advice?

Probably not. Why don’t you call me? I thought you were staying in Madrid?

 

[Bob Howard]

Delta changed my flight and I won't arrive to Madrid until 0915am. I purchased a train ticket to Pamplona and it leaves at 1135am.....I'm worried I will miss it. Thoughts suggestions advice?

There are some astoundingly cheap flights from MAD to Pamplona around noon. I'm looking at Iberia flights the first two weeks in June. Leaving 12:25 arriving 1:25. $36. About the cost of a taxi to Atocha.

 

[Connie Ramage]

Delta changed my flight and I won't arrive to Madrid until 0915am. I purchased a train ticket to Pamplona and it leaves at 1135am.....I'm worried I will miss it. Thoughts suggestions advice?

In August last year my flight arrived at 9:15, took taxi to Atocha, and had time to grab a bocadilla to go before boarding train.

 

[EL LECHERO]

In August last year my flight arrived at 9:15, took taxi to Atocha, and had time to grab a bocadilla to go before boarding train.

That would be awesome! lets hope but otherwise I will just let things play out and get there when I get there I guess.