Madrid to Pamplona by train

[chuckhibbs]

I will be arriving in MAD )Baranjas) 9:00 a.m,need want to catch 10:30 a.m train from Atocha train station. Do I have enough time to do this transfer!
Any advice? Thanks
Chuck

 

[Tincatinker]

You likely have more chance of catching the 10:15 bus from T4 Barajas. Even that will be tight. There is another at 14:15

The 11:30 train from Atocha is probably doable

 

[chuckhibbs]

Thank you,
How does one get a tarjeta dorada card? Just show proof of age?
Chuck

 

[alexwalker]

Thank you,
How does one get a tarjeta dorada card? Just show proof of age?
Chuck

Yes. Buy it when you buy your first train ticket. Same place. Easy.

 

[chuckhibbs]

Thank you all!

 

[chuckhibbs]

I was able to purchase a train ticket to Pamplona.
Thank you for your help!
Chuck

 

[Jim Porter]

I will be arriving in MAD )Baranjas) 9:00 a.m,need want to catch 10:30 a.m train from Atocha train station. Do I have enough time to do this transfer!
Any advice? Thanks
Chuck

Sure thing. We took the Metro to the Atocha Station then onto the Pamplona train. It depends on luggage and Customs, really. Good luck!

 

[Scott Fraser]

Sure thing. We took the Metro to the Atocha Station then onto the Pamplona train. It depends on luggage and Customs, really. Good luck!

So true. In June we arrived at MAD at 06:20 and didn't see our last bag until 09:45. (I had an Air Tag in it and told Iberia exactly where it was, but somehow they still couldn't get it into the belt.) We would have missed the morning trains to Pamplona but fortunately booked the one at around 14:00.

 

[J Willhaus]

You can take the Cercanias train directly to Atocha from T4 at the airport. Your train ticket may include a free transfer.. look for a qr code on the ticket. You scan it at the gate both getting on and off and then walk directly to your train. The trains to Pamplona at Atocha leave from the lower level, I believe.

There is also an Express bus from each terminal to Atocha from the Airport. Go out to the bus stop in front of T1, 2, 3, 4. It was 5 euros and you can pay with a card. The bus drops off directly outside the train station.

 

[Sheesh]

If you have time to spare around the Atocha station, there is a Decathlon just across the street. If buying poles is in your plans, that might be an option.

 

[JerryStroebele]

In my lazy old age I now just take the 30 euro taxi from the airport to downtown Madrid. No waiting, no station confusion. The train to Pamplona is relaxing. Buen Camino

 

[nathanael]

what is a tarjeta dorada card.

 

[alexwalker]

what is a tarjeta dorada card.

Tarjeta dorada (Gold card):

For peope 60 or more years old, it is a train discount card/ticket. You buy it for 6 Euros at the train station with/before your first train ticket, and it gives you a 25% discount on all train travels in Spain for 12 months.

 

[trecile]

what is a tarjeta dorada card.

Discount card for those over 60. Details here:

Descuentos Tarjeta Dorada, Mayores, Jubilados, Ave | Renfe

Descuento con Tarjeta Dorada Renfe para personas mayores y jubilados ✅ Hasta el 40% descuento en trenes Ave, Alvia, Avant, Larga y Media Distancia.

www.renfe.com

 

[J Willhaus]

Tarjeta dorada (Gold card):

For peope 60 or more years old, it is a train discount card/ticket. You buy it for 6 Euros at the train station with/before your first train ticket, and it gives you a 25% discount on all train travels in Spain for 12 months.

I want to add that we were able to get our cards updated for 3 years and even that was at a discount. Instead of 18 euros for three years it was 15 euros for three years. Supposedly you can do that extension process online, but RENFE never likes my US credit card so we just did it in person this year.

Ours are just boring little paper cards and it could be easy to lose or get them wet and run the ink. We can buy RENFE tickets online (I use Trainline for this) using the discount with the number we were issued but we are often "spot checked" by the conductor to make sure we have TD card and it is really us.

 

[alexwalker]

To cut it short: If you are 60 or more of age, buy a Tarjeta Dorada at the first train station, and then go at min. 25% discounts on all train travels for a full year in Spain.

 

[Janetlawson]

Trying to work out my journey from Madrid to Pamplona. Train or bus? I thought there was a bus from T4 to Pamplona. Who do I book train or bus? Thanks

 

[henrythedog]

Trying to work out my journey from Madrid to Pamplona. Train or bus? I thought there was a bus from T4 to Pamplona. Who do I book train or bus? Thanks

You thought correctly; there is a bus; there are also trains which involve you first travelling into central Madrid. Both are decent options with the bus being cheaper.

‘Rome to Rio’ isn’t a bad place to start.

 

[pmusial]

what is a tarjeta dorada card.

It means Golden Ticket. It is card that gives you about 25% off Renfe train tickets if you are 60 or older. It is my understanding that this card must be purchased at a Renfe station where you show proof of age to the agent and pay 6 euros cash. Once you have your Tarjeta Dorada you can apply it to purchases online or in person. It is valid for a year. I’ve already used mine three times. The trains are super fast and comfortable. Happy travels. Paul

 

[J Willhaus]

Trying to work out my journey from Madrid to Pamplona. Train or bus? I thought there was a bus from T4 to Pamplona. Who do I book train or bus? Thanks

Alsa is the national bus company and has several buses per day that leave T4 for Pamplona. Jimenez is another company that also has buses to Pamplona from the airport. You can look at bus times for the near future, but realize that companies don't release their tickets for sale until about a month from departure. You can download the Alsa app or buy online or just wait until you arrive to buy a ticket at T4. This summer I lost a non-refundable ticket due to flight snafus causing me to arrive in Spain a day later than expected. If you buy ahead to time check the details to see if you can change your ticket if needed.

 

[Janetlawson]

You thought correctly; there is a bus; there are also trains which involve you first travelling into central Madrid. Both are decent options with the bus being cheaper.

‘Rome to Rio’ isn’t a bad place to start.

Thanks for reply.

 

[Janetlawson]

Alsa is the national bus company and has several buses per day that leave T4 for Pamplona. Jimenez is another company that also has buses to Pamplona from the airport. You can look at bus times for the near future, but realize that companies don't release their tickets for sale until about a month from departure. You can download the Alsa app or buy online or just wait until you arrive to buy a ticket at T4. This summer I lost a non-refundable ticket due to flight snafus causing me to arrive in Spain a day later than expected. If you buy ahead to time check the details to see if you can change your ticket if needed.

Thank you so much for the reply.

 

[Nandy61]

Alsa is the national bus company and has several buses per day that leave T4 for Pamplona. Jimenez is another company that also has buses to Pamplona from the airport. You can look at bus times for the near future, but realize that companies don't release their tickets for sale until about a month from departure. You can download the Alsa app or buy online or just wait until you arrive to buy a ticket at T4. This summer I lost a non-refundable ticket due to flight snafus causing me to arrive in Spain a day later than expected. If you buy ahead to time check the details to see if you can change your ticket if needed.

I've been trying to book the noon jimenez bus from MAD T4 to Logrono all day. I waited until it showed up on their website/schedules. I selected the ticket and the seat but I keep getting an error loading the actual payment page. Anyone else have issues with this? I registered with them and tried a different browser. Thoughts? I get into MAD at 10:00 am so that's the earliest/easiest bus (other than racing to Avenida Americas for the 12:15 Alsa bus.)

 

[TravellingMan22]

I've been trying to book the noon jimenez bus from MAD T4 to Logrono all day. I waited until it showed up on their website/schedules. I selected the ticket and the seat but I keep getting an error loading the actual payment page. Anyone else have issues with this? I registered with them and tried a different browser. Thoughts? I get into MAD at 10:00 am so that's the earliest/easiest bus (other than racing to Avenida Americas for the 12:15 Alsa bus.)

When are you travelling?

 

[J Willhaus]

I sometimes have trouble with my US credit card and Renfe online although I have not had trouble with any bus tickets. One of the moderators uses PayPal.

I looked on Trainline and it says there is also an Alsa bus from T4 at noon? I don't know the dates you are trying to book for. Usually Trainline does accept my US credit card.

 

[Kathor1]

I selected the ticket and the seat but I keep getting an error loading the actual payment page. Anyone else have issues with this? I registered with them and tried a different browser. Thoughts?

I see on the website that payment by credit card requires 2-step authentication. If your credit card cannot do this you need to contact your card issuer. Many Spanish websites require this now. You can tell from these labels on the Jimenez website:

 

[Janetlawson]

I've been trying to book the noon jimenez bus from MAD T4 to Logrono all day. I waited until it showed up on their website/schedules. I selected the ticket and the seat but I keep getting an error loading the actual payment page. Anyone else have issues with this? I registered with them and tried a different browser. Thoughts? I get into MAD at 10:00 am so that's the earliest/easiest bus (other than racing to Avenida Americas for the 12:15 Alsa bus.)

I booked 2 days ago. I downloaded the Alsa App and had no trouble - for the 1st Sept

 

[Nandy61]

so I am arriving in MAD T4 on Wednesday Sept 13. I know there's an ALSA bus at noon, but it leaves from Avenida America (I want to avoid a mad dash into Madrid, don't know if my flight will arrive on time at 10am or not) As for the credit card, I don't even get to the page to input the card information; I just constantly receive a "ERROR AL REGISTRAR EL PAGO" . I've tried using Google Chrome, Safari and today, Firefox. On both my laptop and desktop. No luck.

UPDATE !!
I gave it one last shot and used my iPhone. It worked. I was able to get to the page to put my payment information in and it was accepted no problem (Chase CC) Thank you everyone. Hopefully this will help someone else down the line.

 

[J Willhaus]

so I am arriving in MAD T4 on Wednesday Sept 13. I know there's an ALSA bus at noon, but it leaves from Avenida America (I want to avoid a mad dash into Madrid, don't know if my flight will arrive on time at 10am or not) As for the credit card, I don't even get to the page to input the card information; I just constantly receive a "ERROR AL REGISTRAR EL PAGO" . I've tried using Google Chrome, Safari and today, Firefox. On both my laptop and desktop. No luck.

UPDATE !!
I gave it one last shot and used my iPhone. It worked. I was able to get to the page to put my payment information in and it was accepted no problem (Chase CC) Thank you everyone. Hopefully this will help someone else down the line.

Best wishes on your travel. Do you know if you can change your ticket if needed? I think I mentioned that my flight delay caused us to get to Spain a day later than planned and I lost train tickets because I did not buy a ticket that could be changed. Anyway, it is good to check and be aware just in case.

 

[Janetlawson]

so I am arriving in MAD T4 on Wednesday Sept 13. I know there's an ALSA bus at noon, but it leaves from Avenida America (I want to avoid a mad dash into Madrid, don't know if my flight will arrive on time at 10am or not) As for the credit card, I don't even get to the page to input the card information; I just constantly receive a "ERROR AL REGISTRAR EL PAGO" . I've tried using Google Chrome, Safari and today, Firefox. On both my laptop and desktop. No luck.

UPDATE !!
I gave it one last shot and used my iPhone. It worked. I was able to get to the page to put my payment information in and it was accepted no problem (Chase CC) Thank you everyone. Hopefully this will help someone else down the line.

That is great to hear x

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have taken both the bus to Pamplona and the train to Pamplona, although I prefer the bus out of T4 as it is quite easy, especially for a newbie.
Otherwise, I usually use Trainline as I've had no problem navigating their website, and my US credit card always has worked.

 

[Nandy61]

Best wishes on your travel. Do you know if you can change your ticket if needed? I think I mentioned that my flight delay caused us to get to Spain a day later than planned and I lost train tickets because I did not buy a ticket that could be changed. Anyway, it is good to check and be aware just in case.

only up until two hours before departure it seems, though at €21 I won't sweat it too much:

"La anulación de billetes solo es posible si se realiza, al menos, 2 horas antes del inicio del servicio, debiéndose personar el viajero en los puntos de venta de la empresa (taquillas) dentro de su horario comercial. Los billetes adquiridos en nuestra web podrán ser anulados por los mismos canales donde fueron adquiridos.

En caso de anulación de billete la empresa devolverá al viajero el importe del billete deduciendo un 10% del mismo, cuando se solicite antes de las 48 horas de la salida del servicio. Si la anulación se solicita entre las 48 horas y 2 horas antes de la salida del servicio, se devolverá al viajero el importe del billete deduciendo un 20% del mismo. No se procederá a la anulación, ni por consiguiente la devolución de su importe, dentro de las 2 horas inmediatamente anteriores al inicio del servicio. No se procederá en ningún caso a la devolución del coste de gestión."