Madrid to Astorga on April 20/21, 2022 and a couple of newbie ?s

[MargotM]

Thanks in advance. Flight gets into Madrid (April 20) at 8:45 am and can't figure out how to get to a train or bus to Astorga in time so it looks like we're staying in Madrid overnight. Can anyone recommend a place to stay near Moncloa station or should we try near another station? Can you recommend an albugue or hotel in Astorga? We want to get there ASAP to start our journey. And is the PO in the Madrid airport still closed? Hope to send a bag on to Santiago but can do it from Astorga, I guess.

Thanks a million to all pilgrims who read this far!

 

[J Willhaus]

It looks like a bus from the airport T4 leaves at 10 am? There is another in the afternoon at 1600. Did you check that Alsa bus schedule from the airport ?

 

[André Walker]

Thanks in advance. Flight gets into Madrid (April 20) at 8:45 am and can't figure out how to get to a train or bus to Astorga in time.

Willhaus is right: it seems Alsa offers two options to get to Astorga by bus the same day:

Wherever you want to go - Alsa

Buy bus tickets at the best price. At Alsa we offer bus rental, travel deals, on-board services and information on routes and schedules.

www.alsa.com

 

[SabsP]

Plus two trains from Madrid Charmartin to Astorga but Alsa bus from airport is easier.

Renfe - Mi Más Renfe

PAGINAS OFICIALES DE RENFE, HORARIOS, RESERVA, VENTA, BILLETES, ALQUILER

venta.renfe.com

 

[MargotM]

Thanks to all, I had checked these but they arrive so late in the day and with many stops. We are now digesting all this.

 

[El Cascayal]

Here’s a screen shot from RENFE leaving from Chamartin which is 15 minutes from airport T4 on cercanías which is free connection when you have a RENFE ticket. I find if you download the RENFE app it is very easy and you can pay without a hassle if you have a PayPal account. Even if you get in at 6:00ish it beats losing a day by leaving the following day. The ALSA app is also good to download. You will figure it out, Buen Camino.

 

[lt56ny]

Thanks to all, I had checked these but they arrive so late in the day and with many stops. We are now digesting all this.

I don't know about the train schedule but I would think it would take a miracle from the Universe/Almighty or whatever you believe to get to a bus that leaves at 10:00 and when you arrive at 8:45. It is only 2 stops on the Alsa bus but you would have to wait until 4:00PM. You can take the Metro from the airport to the Moncloa bus station that leaves at 11:00AM or you could take the train that is longer or more expensive but gives you much more time to go from the airport to the station. Or you could sleep in Madrid and go the next day. There really isn't a big time difference. Check Rome2rio.com they have all the information. Do you want to spend a jet lagged day in Madrid, or do you want to rest on a bus or train and sleep in Astorga. After a long flight and if you do not know a big city I think it would be less hassle and less tiring navigating Astorga than navigating Madrid.

 

[Adelina]

I took the bus Madrid to Astorga, arrived in the afternoon and enjoyed Astorga for a bit, getting my passport stamp at the Gaudi Cathedral (where tears streamed down my face), had a wonderful lunch including a thick, delicious cup of chocolate, and then walked the short distance to a wonderful Albergue - Albergue Casa Rural Las Aguedas. It was a wonderful introduction to the Camino.

 

[Dick & Kitty]

Thanks in advance. Flight gets into Madrid (April 20) at 8:45 am and can't figure out how to get to a train or bus to Astorga in time so it looks like we're staying in Madrid overnight. Can anyone recommend a place to stay near Moncloa station or should we try near another station? Can you recommend an albugue or hotel in Astorga? We want to get there ASAP to start our journey. And is the PO in the Madrid airport still closed? Hope to send a bag on to Santiago but can do it from Astorga, I guess.

Thanks a million to all pilgrims who read this far!

In August 2021, we took the bus from the Madrid airport to Astorga. Our Delta flight arrived at T-1 at 8:45. We had planned to take the shuttle bus to T-4, but we didn't realize that its schedule had been seriously curtailed because of the lack of incoming international flights due to COVID restrictions (and the fact that it was a Saturday). So we ended up taking a taxi to T-4. (It's quite a distance, by the way.) We had no trouble getting there on time. The ALSA buses arrive and depart from the bottom level of T-4. We bought our tickets online before leaving home. As has always been our experience with buses in Spain, the ride was comfortable (even though it was 104 degrees outside) and interesting.

In Astorga, the bus station is very nearly across the street from the cathedral so it is very convenient. We stayed at the Hotel Astur Plaza, which is on the plaza mayor near the government building and some interesting Roman ruins. It's a very nice hotel and a perfect location (right on the Camino). We arrived on Saturday afternoon and stayed until Monday morning. Sunday we went to mass at the cathedral and visited the Bishop's Palace, which was designed by Antonio Gaudi and contains the Museum of the Camino. We really enjoyed seeing a bit of Astorga before getting on the Camino. After all, we may never have another chance to see it!

Buen Camino!

 

[MargotM]

Adelina, Dick and Kitty, super-helpful. Many, many thanks!

 

[BridgetofMaine]

In August 2021, we took the bus from the Madrid airport to Astorga. Our Delta flight arrived at T-1 at 8:45. We had planned to take the shuttle bus to T-4, but we didn't realize that its schedule had been seriously curtailed because of the lack of incoming international flights due to COVID restrictions (and the fact that it was a Saturday). So we ended up taking a taxi to T-4. (It's quite a distance, by the way.) We had no trouble getting there on time. The ALSA buses arrive and depart from the bottom level of T-4. We bought our tickets online before leaving home. As has always been our experience with buses in Spain, the ride was comfortable (even though it was 104 degrees outside) and interesting.

In Astorga, the bus station is very nearly across the street from the cathedral so it is very convenient. We stayed at the Hotel Astur Plaza, which is on the plaza mayor near the government building and some interesting Roman ruins. It's a very nice hotel and a perfect location (right on the Camino). We arrived on Saturday afternoon and stayed until Monday morning. Sunday we went to mass at the cathedral and visited the Bishop's Palace, which was designed by Antonio Gaudi and contains the Museum of the Camino. We really enjoyed seeing a bit of Astorga before getting on the Camino. After all, we may never have another chance to see it!

Buen Camino!

Thank you for this helpful info. I arrive on 4/21 and will bus to Astorga. Still need to get a Pilgrim Passport, as the one I ordered will not arrive before I leave the States. Can I get one at the Cathedral?