Madrid atocha train station.

angie

Member

• May 11, 2014

• #1

Well, I'm here in Pamplona but I thought I share something I never new. Sorry if it's been posted before.
At Atocha train station they have a ticket queuing system which I didn't realise. My train to Pamplona wasn't till 3-05 and I'd arrived at the station just after 12 and was going to have a mooch around but thought I'd buy my ticket first, and I'm so glad I did. I waited nearly 2 hrs in the queue......... so, just warning others that even if you have time to kill, buy your ticket and then mooch around or you could miss your train. It was a Saturday so I don't know if that's why it was so busy but don't get caught out.

Cheers.

 

W

whariwharangi

Guest

• May 11, 2014

• #2

angie said:

Well, I'm here in Pamplona but I thought I share something I never new. Sorry if it's been posted before.
At Atocha train station they have a ticket queuing system which I didn't realise. My train to Pamplona wasn't till 3-05 and I'd arrived at the station just after 12 and was going to have a mooch around but thought I'd buy my ticket first, and I'm so glad I did. I waited nearly 2 hrs in the queue......... so, just warning others that even if you have time to kill, buy your ticket and then mooch around or you could miss your train. It was a Saturday so I don't know if that's why it was so busy but don't get caught out.

Cheers.

Click to expand...

My understanding is there are automated ticket machines.

Renfe Maquinas Autoventa
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/info/maquinas_autocheckin.html

 

angie

Member

• May 11, 2014

• #3

I thought they were if u pre booked. Maybe not, I didn't really check. But, I did see a lot of people in the queue with tickets already in their hands so I don't know the ifs and why's. I just wanted to warn people that was all, if I hadn't of had a few hrs to spare I'd never have caught that train and would have had to of waited till after 7pm for the next one.

 

W

whariwharangi

Guest

• May 11, 2014

• #4

angie said:

I thought they were if u pre booked. Maybe not, I didn't really check. But, I did see a lot of people in the queue with tickets already in their hands so I don't know the ifs and why's. I just wanted to warn people that was all, if I hadn't of had a few hrs to spare I'd never have caught that train and would have had to of waited till after 7pm for the next one.

Click to expand...

Its good information.

 

ranthr

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

C Frances 2005, 2007
Le Puy en Velay -SdC 2009
Via de la Plata 2011
gr 653 from Oloron to Puente la Reina 2012
Gr65 from le Puy to Figeac 2013
Irun to Santander 2013
Porto to SdC 2014
Astorga to SdC 2015

• May 11, 2014

• #5

Yesterday I waited 45 minutes for my turn at the Renfe station in Alicante. There were ticketmachines that only a few people used. I was queuing for a tarjeta dorada, that gives me cheaper tickets so I could not use the machine. Thought then that if I needed a ticket, I would buy it on internet. Before I left one of the employees started helping people using the maquinas. Perhaps people do not know how to use them. It is the same at many bus stations. Always a long queue at the ticket office.

 

jpflavin1

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino 2024 unknown starting 4/1 from somewhere.

• May 11, 2014

• #6

You can buy your ticket and Tarjeta Dorada at the airport RENFE station

 

angie

Member

• May 11, 2014

• #7

I took your advice jp and caught the bus instead of the metro as it was easier rather than pack on pack off to change trains. Thanks for th info. Appreciated very much.

 

Anniesantiago

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2006 to date: Over 21 Caminos. See signature line

• May 13, 2014

• #8

You can buy train tickets and tarjeta dorada from the airport Renfe office but if there is a line it can take hours. Best net is just get your ticket to atocha from the Circanius machine and get your tarjeta and major ticket at atocha.

If you are taking a bus, just pay the driver - much easier and cheaper.

Or walk from Madrid ! It's a beautiful walk and you miss the race for a bed!

 

Felipe

Veteran Member

• May 13, 2014

• #9

It is good to know this problem. It is a new situation, I never experienced anything like that.
I used to buy my renfe tickets at the very known "El corte inglés" http://www.viajeselcorteingles.es/trenes/ , at calle Preciados, near the popular Puerta del Sol square.
Apparently almost every travel agency in Spain can sell you train tickets http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/info/puntos_venta_nacional.html
Obviously, it I were in Madrid only (unfortunately) for a few hours, I' d try to buy my ticket right away, but this other option may be useful if you are in this lovely city for more time.

 

Last edited: May 13, 2014

CaminoKris2013

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

(2014)

• May 16, 2014

• #10

Hmmm...I had already paid for my ticket via RailEurope and have a confirmation...would that be sufficient or do I need to check in anywhere?


Sent from my iPhone using Camino de Santiago Forum