MAD, to sporting goods store, to Oviedo?

[Nat2023]

Hi everyone. I'm new here, heading on my first Camino (Norte) in September. I've realized that the trekking poles I just bought (collapsable, Black Diamond, and not worth risking getting them confiscated by airport security at any point along the way) probably won't work in my carry-on backpack, so I guess my best option is to buy a cheap pair in Spain.

I'm scheduled to land at MAD at 6:20 a.m. on a Saturday, and plan to start my Camino the next morning from Cadavedo (or somewhere around there) to allow 12 days to Santiago.

Looking for advice on the best way to get to Oviedo (and on to Cadavedo) from Madrid, as well as suggestions for where to buy some hiking poles that I won't feel bad parting with in Santiago. If there's a convenient place to get them in Oviedo, I'm thinking that's better than detouring across Madrid, but I don't really know what the availability is like in either city near the transit hubs.

Thanks for any input on this!

 

[ratherbefollowingflechas]

You can get your walking poles at the Decathlon store in Oviedo. It is very close to the Cathedral so it is very convenient to get them there and avoid the rush across Madrid.

We ended up flying on Iberia to Oviedo for around $120 for the two of us, and then catching a cab the 40 minutes to Oviedo for about 50 euros. The bus only leaves at the top of the hour and the station in Oviedo is about 20 minute walk to the old town area.

There is an app called Rome2Rio.com that has just about every type of transportation and route available in Europe. They are a great source!

Buen Camino!

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

Depending on your timing, you may find the bus rom T4 Madrid to Oviedo is easier than finding a flight. It is a pretty comfortable ride, makes a food stop in the middle of the trip, and has decent onboard washroom, power for your phone, etc. And there are decent views of the terrain…
I tried for a train, but the timing and connections did not work. You might get lucky on a flight as suggested above.

 

[Tincatinker]

Where is this Cadavedo of which you speak?

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Where is this Cadavedo of which you speak?

It's on the Norte, NW of Oviedo. I stayed there overnight last Spring.

 

[Tincatinker]

It's on the Norte, NW of Oviedo. I stayed there overnight last Spring.

Ah, thanks Chrissy. I guess I assumed the OP was heading out on the Primitivo and I couldn’t remember anywhere of that name

 

[Nat2023]

Depending on your timing, you may find the bus rom T4 Madrid to Oviedo is easier than finding a flight. It is a pretty comfortable ride, makes a food stop in the middle of the trip, and has decent onboard washroom, power for your phone, etc. And there are decent views of the terrain…
I tried for a train, but the timing and connections did not work. You might get lucky on a flight as suggested above.

Thanks for these tips, everyone! Pardon my ignorance, but which bus is this? It runs from the airport to Oviedo without a transfer?

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

Thanks for these tips, everyone! Pardon my ignorance, but which bus is this? It runs from the airport to Oviedo without a transfer?

Yes… check out Rome2Rio for help on schedules and booking. Just put in Madrid and Oviedo as your locations, and then select the bus options.

 

[DTCamino]

This is one of my previous posts and I’ll be getting my poles in Madrid again this way in September
“ You can take the Metro from the Madrid airport to the final stop “Nuevos Ministerios” and then exit the subway as there is a Corte Ingles directly above the subway station and the sporting good store Decathalon right next door. I buy my walking poles and snacks/sandwiches for the my trip there and then go back downstairs on the subway when I’m done.”

You can then take the subway to whichever bus or train station you need to take for Oviedo. I like getting my feet on the ground for this short shopping trip after a long flight and I tend to relax better on the ride to my Camino starting point having my poles with me, and having moved around a bit after the long flight.

 

[Nat2023]

This is one of my previous posts and I’ll be getting my poles in Madrid again this way in September
“ You can take the Metro from the Madrid airport to the final stop “Nuevos Ministerios” and then exit the subway as there is a Corte Ingles directly above the subway station and the sporting good store Decathalon right next door. I buy my walking poles and snacks/sandwiches for the my trip there and then go back downstairs on the subway when I’m done.”

You can then take the subway to whichever bus or train station you need to take for Oviedo. I like getting my feet on the ground for this short shopping trip after a long flight and I tend to relax better on the ride to my Camino starting point having my poles with me, and having moved around a bit after the long flight.

Thanks Derek! This is really helpful. What's your experience been like in terms of how long it takes from landing to get to the Decathlon and then on to the bus/train station to leave the city? I'm a little apprehensive about how to book my travel to Oviedo not knowing how time-consuming this will be.

 

[DTCamino]

Thanks Derek! This is really helpful. What's your experience been like in terms of how long it takes from landing to get to the Decathlon and then on to the bus/train station to leave the city? I'm a little apprehensive about how to book my travel to Oviedo not knowing how time-consuming this will be.

It takes 28 minutes from the airport to Nuevos Ministerios on the subway. A minute or two to walk to the decathlon and maybe 20 minutes to decide which poles and pay for them and 2 minutes back to the subway.

There’s an 1110am train from Chamartin to Oviedo and the blue line metro goes from Nuevos Ministerios directly to Chamartin, easy peasy.

That gives you nearly 5 hrs to accomplish this, so I see a leisurely breakfast for you near Nuevos Ministerios…

 

[Nat2023]

It takes 28 minutes from the airport to Nuevos Ministerios on the subway. A minute or two to walk to the decathlon and maybe 20 minutes to decide which poles and pay for them and 2 minutes back to the subway.

There’s an 1110am train from Chamartin to Oviedo and the blue line metro goes from Nuevos Ministerios directly to Chamartin, easy peasy.

That gives you nearly 5 hrs to accomplish this, so I see a leisurely breakfast for you near Nuevos Ministerios…

Yeah. The 11:10 train looks great, but it would mean I'll probably have to stay in Oviedo that night and then take the train to Cadavedo the next morning and start walking Norte after I get off the train. I was also considering getting on one of the earlier buses to Oviedo, (trying to catch one in the 9:00a hour, for example) and just getting the poles there as another option. But don't want to be stressing from morning to night catching various trains.

 

[naplesdon]

Regarding your angst about your poles. Why not buy a solid cardboard tube and check them on your fight(s).

 

[Nat2023]

Regarding your angst about your poles. Why not buy a solid cardboard tube and check them on your fight(s).

Checking a bag (or cardboard tube) with the state of air travel being the way it is this summer seemed like a risky move. I'm not completely against it, but was trying to avoid checking anything.

 

[DTCamino]

Yeah. The 11:10 train looks great, but it would mean I'll probably have to stay in Oviedo that night and then take the train to Cadavedo the next morning and start walking Norte after I get off the train. I was also considering getting on one of the earlier buses to Oviedo, (trying to catch one in the 9:00a hour, for example) and just getting the poles there as another option. But don't want to be stressing from morning to night catching various trains.

Frankly I feel a 9am bus is doable as well. It generally takes me about 90minutes from the time I leave customs in Madrid to take the subway into town, go buy my poles and then take the subway to the bus station (having also bought snacks and water for the bus ride, too). You could just make up your mind dependent on what time you leave the airport. If you have 2 hrs or more no problem, if less and feeling uncomfortable then get the poles in Oviedo.
I get in at 4pm this September and have a 6pm dinner reservation with a friend in Madrid, and I plan to get my poles and supplies in that 2 hr window in between.

 

[trecile]

It takes 28 minutes from the airport to Nuevos Ministerios on the subway. A minute or two to walk to the decathlon and maybe 20 minutes to decide which poles and pay for them and 2 minutes back to the subway.

There’s an 1110am train from Chamartin to Oviedo and the blue line metro goes from Nuevos Ministerios directly to Chamartin, easy peasy.

That gives you nearly 5 hrs to accomplish this, so I see a leisurely breakfast for you near Nuevos Ministerios…

It seems that the fly in the ointment of this plan is that @Nat2023's flight arrives at 6:20 am, and Decathlon stores generally open at 10 am (some open as early as 9:00 am, but I don't know about the store in question) I think that it would be much easier to get to Oviedo and go to the Decathlon store there. It's only an 11 minute walk from the cathedral in Oviedo.

Decathlon City Oviedo · C. Uría, 3, 33003 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

★★★★☆ · Sporting goods store

goo.gl

 

[DTCamino]

It seems that the fly in the ointment of this plan is that @Nat2023's flight arrives at 6:20 am, and Decathlon stores generally open at 10 am (some open as early as 9:00 am, but I don't know about the store in question) I think that it would be much easier to get to Oviedo and go to the Decathlon store there. It's only an 11 minute walk from the cathedral in Oviedo.

Decathlon City Oviedo · C. Uría, 3, 33003 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

★★★★☆ · Sporting goods store

goo.gl

Your completely right about that, I forgot that their opening hours tend to be later than what I’m used to and I never arrive before 9am from the US.
Trecile is correct (as always), you’ll have to get your poles in Oviedo.

 

[mustang2actual]

That’s exactly my plan @Derek Taylor . Thanks for confirming what I was working out for my trip.

 

[trecile]

Trecile is correct (as always),

I'm frequently incorrect - just ask my kids or husband!

 

[Nat2023]

It seems that the fly in the ointment of this plan is that @Nat2023's flight arrives at 6:20 am, and Decathlon stores generally open at 10 am (some open as early as 9:00 am, but I don't know about the store in question) I think that it would be much easier to get to Oviedo and go to the Decathlon store there. It's only an 11 minute walk from the cathedral in Oviedo.

Decathlon City Oviedo · C. Uría, 3, 33003 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

★★★★☆ · Sporting goods store

goo.gl

Thanks @trecile. That's a great point.