Seeking advice on coordinating travel from Madrid to Sarria for my mom

[Annesd]

Thank you for taking the time to provide your guidance. Excited to start my first Camino from SJPDP in March.

Towards the end of April, my mom, who is 86, is flying to Madrid from California to walk from Sarria with me. I am trying to coordinate her travel from Madrid to Sarria and thought the train might be an option but it looks like she catches a bus in Ourense due to work on the railway. Is anyone familiar with taking the train and then transferring to the bus? Do you know if there are people to help guide/assist the passengers to the bus? I appreciate your suggestions or feedback.

 

[J Willhaus]

The bus is right there at the train station and they gather up everyone going to Sarria and put them on the bus together. No way to get lost really as you are herded along, but tell her to use the bathroom on the train before they stop in Ourense so she won't get somehow separated.

An alternative is to fly from Madrid to Santiago on Iberia (early 7:30 flight) and then catch the bus to Sarria. The bus leaves right out front of the airport. Monbus is the company. You can buy a ticket in advance or there is also a ticket office at the airport where the buses pick up. The 11:15 bus will say Pedrafita do Cebreiro on the front. Very simple. She will be in Sarria then by early afternoon.

 

[DJames]

yes, i did this in May 2023. the train leaves out of Chamartin railroad station and then the train stops in Ourense. if it is the same, there was an English announcement on the train and there are people directing you to the buses that are parked close to the train terminal. She will need to take a train/metro/cab from Barajas to Chamartin. I bought my ticket from Madrid to Sarria here in the states and bought my metro ticket at one of the kiosk in the airport. i think i booked a 1: pm train so depending on when you get to Madrid, there is a little time you will spend at the train station.
I met a mother/daughter walking this part of the CF when i was there last year and the mom was in her 80s...great inspiration.

 

[Annesd]

The bus is right there at the train station and they gather up everyone going to Sarria and put them on the bus together. No way to get lost really as you are herded along, but tell her to use the bathroom on the train before they stop in Ourense so she won't get somehow separated.

An alternative is to fly from Madrid to Santiago on Iberia (early 7:30 flight) and then catch the bus to Sarria. The bus leaves right out front of the airport. Monbus is the company. You can buy a ticket in advance or there is also a ticket office at the airport where the buses pick up. The 11:15 bus will say Pedrafita do Cebreiro on the front. Very simple. She will be in Sarria then by early afternoon.

Thank you so much for the quick response & detailed information! This is incredibly helpful. Thank you!

 

[Annesd]

yes, i did this in May 2023. the train leaves out of Chamartin railroad station and then the train stops in Ourense. if it is the same, there was an English announcement on the train and there are people directing you to the buses that are parked close to the train terminal. She will need to take a train/metro/cab from Barajas to Chamartin. I bought my ticket from Madrid to Sarria here in the states and bought my metro ticket at one of the kiosk in the airport. i think i booked a 1: pm train so depending on when you get to Madrid, there is a little time you will spend at the train station.
I met a mother/daughter walking this part of the CF when i was there last year and the mom was in her 80s...great inspiration.

Wonderful information! Thank you!

 

[J Willhaus]

If her flight comes into Terminal 4 or 4S she can go the lowest level once she leave security and take the Cercanias train (C1 or C10) directly to the Chamartin station. It might be easier just to take a cab if she comes into one of the other terminals if you decide on the train.

 

[Annesd]

If her flight comes into Terminal 4 or 4S she can go the lowest level once she leave security and take the Cercanias train (C1 or C10) directly to the Chamartin station. It might be easier just to take a cab if she comes into one of the other terminals if you decide on the train.

Super helpful. Thank you for the suggestion.