Madrid to Oviedo

[dave welsh rambler]

So the camino bit me. Did the portugese central this year and now looking to do the primitivo next year. Easiest route from UK (Bristol) appears to be fly to Madrid and then train or coach to Oviedo. Train appears to be quicker and with a morning flight should be able to get to Oviedo by late afternoon. I have never been to Madrid so unsure how easy it will be to navigate this idea from terminal 1 to Chamartin train station were the trains appear to go from. Any help or other suggestions gratefully received.

 

[dbier]

First, Chamartin is under construction. There was a time earlier this year when the Cercanis light rail that runs from T4 in MAD wasn't running there. You'll have to check on current status. C1 or C10 Cercanis lines went to Chamartin...only a few minutes transit.

There's a mildly confusing inter-terminal bus shuttle at MAD that stops at all the terminals. Ask the driver...if a different shuttle bus gets to T4 first, he'll tell you. Took me about 20 min once I got to the bus stop (Sep 23).

As you've seen, there are at least 3 fast trains (Ave?) and a few slower ones to Oviedo per day. I would suggest using TrainLine to book when that booking window opens.

I personally overnighted in Madrid right by Chamartin and took the next day's first fast train.

Buen Camino

 

[WalkingPlaylist]

Agree, I did the same trip last year when I did the Primitivo and it was about $55 for the train. Used TrainLine site and got a reserved seat. Takes about 4.5 hours. Your ticket also gets you free access on the connector train from the airport.

 

[dave welsh rambler]

Agree, I did the same trip last year when I did the Primitivo and it was about $55 for the train. Used TrainLine site and got a reserved seat. Takes about 4.5 hours. Your ticket also gets you free access on the connector train from the airport.

My thanks to both of you for your info, hopefully I can now get from Madrid to the start of the Primitivo without to much drama.

 

[Scudder]

Adding to the topic of construction on the train lines: While the Cercanias trains going to the airport are not running their full length, there is a shuttle train between Chamartin station and the airport every 20 minutes. This is all one really needs to connect from planes to (most northbound) trains.

The Cercanias would require that bus to T4, but it would be free with the purchase of a ticket for a high-speed train. Have a few Euro there.

Alternately, from T1, you could take the Metro into the city, changing at Nuevos Ministerios to get to Chamartin station.

 

[Scudder]

Takes about 4.5 hours.

That might have been before the high-speed link opened in Asturias. Can be as short as 3h15m now.

 

[peregrina2000]

Another thing to consider is flying into OVD, the Asturias airport. I think there are direct flights from both Stanstead and Gatwick, Vueling and Ryan Air. It might be a lot quicker and maybe even cheaper.

There are regular buses from the airport into Oviedo, Gijón and Avilés, which are cheap and efficient.