Need Help - Airline Ticket Change Blows Up Itinerary

[Duffman]

This morning I received notification that Iberia Air cancelled my flight to Madrid scheduled for next Friday, the 25th. The former (cancelled) itinerary had my son and me arriving in Madrid in the mid-morning of Saturday the 26th. I hold train tickets leaving Madrid Atocha at 3:05 PM. I have hotel reservations in Pamplona for the night of the 26th. I also have reservations at Refuge Orrison for the night of the 27th (we were told by Orrison that we need to arrive at 6:30 PM at the latest). My plan was to taxi to SJPdP on the morning of the 27th, check out SJPdP and begin walking in the early afternoon.

Now due to the flight cancellation, we have been rescheduled and now arrive Madrid at 2:20 PM on the 26th. I'm thinking that it will be difficult if not impossible to get to our scheduled 3:05 train.

According to the Renfe website, the last train that goes to Pamplona on the 26th leaves Atocha at 3:30 PM. There is also a train that leaves Atocha at 7:30 AM on the morning of the 27th, but it doesn't get to Pamplona until 11:17 AM, and then we would need to get a taxi immediately to get to SJPdP and begin walking ASAP to make our reservation at Orrison on time.

I would definitely like to keep our Orrison on the night of the 27th plan, as it will be impossible to reschedule.

Do you believe that I will be able to arrive in Madrid at 2:20 PM and still make a 3:30 train at Atocha? If not that, then what? The 7:30 AM train?

Ideas are much appreciated.

 

[TMcA]

Do you believe that I will be able to arrive in Madrid at 2:20 PM and still make a 3:30 train at Atocha? If not that, then what? The 7:30 AM train?

Sorry, not if you have any checked bags. And probably not even if you just fly with carry-ons. In any case you will have to go through immigration and customs, although customs is just a walk through.

Could you go a day earlier? That would remove all of the pressure you are now under and you could spend a day in Pamplona, a very enjoyable place.

Tom.

 

[Threepeaks]

Having made plane to train connections in Madrid - several times - I would say that making the 3:30 train in Atocha is unlikely. Even if you don't check your bag you still have to go through Customs.

That's as much experience I can offer. I chose to start the Camino Frances in Pamplona. I had a pleasant day of sightseeing while getting over jet lag. And I made up the difference on the other end by going to Finisterre.

You will figure it out. I suggest going for the least stressful option. Your Camino begins when you leave home.

Buen Camino

 

[Frances Bat]

I really sympathise! What a shock! All is not lost though. It doesn't take too long to walk from SJPdP to Orrison. It's less than 8 km. As long at you leave at 4 pm, you should get up there by 18.30. A taxi from Pamplona to St Jean should take less than 1.5 hours so you should manage even if you arrive in Pamplona on 27th at 11 am. Good luck!

 

[OTH86]

It looks like there is a daily flight from Madrid to Pamplona at 4.20 pm and at 7.25 pm. That info is on Rome2Rio.com - so check with Iberia about that connection and ask them to make the change for you.
There is also an Alsa bus leaving the Madrid Airport for Pamplona at 3.15 pm and at 7.45 pm on the 26th. If you ask the flight attendants on your incoming flight for assistance, you MAY get the 3.15 bus -- walk (run?) up to the bus and see if you can get on.

Otherwise, stay overnight at the airport, and get an early am flight or bus.

Or as TMcA says, try to change your tickets.

GOOD LUCK!! and Buen Camino!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

it will be difficult if not impossible to get to our scheduled 3:05 train

The Cercanias train connecting to the train station takes 20 minutes, so even with a perfect connection, you won't make it. A taxi would be faster.

 

[MichaelC]

I'm usually wrecked by long flights, or travel days with lots of connections. Even with your original schedule it looks stressful trying to get to Orrison on the 27th. I realize it might be hard to let go, but I would still recommend cancelling that reservation & starting from somewhere else: St. Jean, Roncesvalles, or even Pamplona.

I think that the walk from St. Jean to Roncesvalles after a good night's sleep would be far easier than the walk from Orrison to Roncesvalles while jet lagged and stressed. Keep in mind that the vast majority of pilgrims cross the Pyrenees in a day!

 

[Anniesantiago]

Many in my group have had their flights changed or cancelled this week including me. I suggest you call your agent and tell them you don’t care WHERE you have to fly through as long as you get to Madrid by the morning you need to be there. I was scheduled to fly through Chicago. I rerouted through Dallas and got right through. One of my group actually flew to Lisbon then to Madrid. I’m not sure where you are flying FROM but chances are if you are willing to tAke a connection in another city, even Canada or Dublin then you can arrive on time.

 

[Duffman]

Thank you so much, my Camino friends!!! I appreciate your input! I was able to reschedule my flight to the day before, so we will have a day in Madrid.

So now I have another question: can someone recommend a decent hotel or pension in Madrid? I would love to be in the historical downtown, but don't want to spend too much.

 

[Anniesantiago]

At this late date booking Madrid will be expensive. I’d get on booking.com and look around. The subway is simple in Madrid so as long as you have easy access you’ll be fine. Watch your pockets! Lots of pickpockets in crowded spaces like the subway in Madrid. Sometimes they look like sweet old grandpas. So keep your hand in your pocket.

 

[Duffman]

At this late date booking Madrid will be expensive. I’d get on booking.com and look around. The subway is simple in Madrid so as long as you have easy access you’ll be fine. Watch your pockets! Lots of pickpockets in crowded spaces like the subway in Madrid. Sometimes they look like sweet old grandpas. So keep your hand in your pocket.

At this late date booking Madrid will be expensive. I’d get on booking.com and look around. The subway is simple in Madrid so as long as you have easy access you’ll be fine. Watch your pockets! Lots of pickpockets in crowded spaces like the subway in Madrid. Sometimes they look like sweet old grandpas. So keep your hand in your pocket.

Thanks! I booked a room downtown. I'll be on the lookout for the los abuelos dulces.

 

[John Crawford Howell]

Perhaps too late for this occasion, but for your future visits to Madrid, I've stayed at the Hotel Europa numerous times. It is in the heart of Madrid, and facing the Puerta del Sol. Less than a 5 minute walk to the Plaza Mayor.