Starting from Ponferrada

aliwalks · Mar 15, 2015

I am planning my first walk in September, and have approx 14 walking days. I am thinking of starting from Ponferrada and travelling from Canada. My questions are should I fly to Madrid or Barcelona, and then best way to get to Ponferrada, thanks, Aliwalks

NualaOC · Mar 15, 2015

We are also starting from Ponferrada this year. We are getting a direct bus from Madrid Airport (Terminal 4). I think the bus takes about 5 hours. You can also get a train from Madrid city centre, which is probably a nicer way to travel if you plan to spend a night in Madrid.

I'm not sure of the options from Barcelona, but no doubt others will provide advice on this!

Buen Camino!

Nuala

clearskiescamino · Mar 15, 2015

Yes, A flight to Madrid is the best option
You can get a train or a bus directly to Ponferrada.
Buen Camino @aliwalks

natefaith · Mar 15, 2015

Madrid is much closer to Ponferrada than Barcelona, so unless a flight to Barcelona is way cheaper than a flight to Madrid, I'd go with Madrid. Taking the train from Madrid up to Ponferrada will take you about 4.5 - 6 hours (depending on which train you choose) and a train from Barcelona will be more like 10 hours. You can check out train itineraries here: www.renfe.com. They probably won't have itineraries published yet for September, but you can enter in sample dates in, say, April, and see what comes up just to give you an idea of what to expect.

You can also take a bus from Madrid to Ponferrada: http://www.alsa.es/rutas/madrid-ponferrada.htm. Looks like it's only about 4.5 - 6 hours as well - not too shabby!

Ponferrada is a beautiful town and a great place to start. Buen Camino!!
Faith

Castilian · Mar 15, 2015

Madrid is closer to Ponferrada and has more transport links with Ponferrada. You can take a bus from Madrid's airport to Ponferrada or, if you plan to spend sometime in Madrid, you can take a bus from the downtown too (Estación Sur de Autobuses). A train out of downtown Madrid (Chamartín train station) is another option.

Barcelona is more far away from Ponferrada than Madrid but if flight tickets to Barcelona are much cheaper, it wouldn't be a bad option because there's a nicely timed overnight train from downtown Barcelona (Sants train station) to Ponferrada.

For bus fares and schedules, take a look at this web:

http://www.alsa.es/en

And for train fares and schedules, take a look at this web (be aware you might get heavily discounted fares by booking online well in advance. Bookings usually open 2 months in advance but sometimes they open later):

http://www.renfe.com

NualaOC · Mar 15, 2015

Another idea to throw into the mix - if you end up flying to Barcelona (because of cheaper flights) - Iberia/Air Nostrum flies from Barcelona to Leon. Flight time is 1 hour and 25 mins.

You can then get an Alsa bus from Leon to Ponferrada (1 hour and 40 mins)

Not as straightforward as travelling through Madrid, but it if the times work out OK it might be easier than a bus from Barcelona to Ponferrada.

aliwalks · Mar 15, 2015

aliwalks said:
I am planning my first walk in September, and have approx 14 walking days. I am thinking of starting from Ponferrada and travelling from Canada. My questions are should I fly to Madrid or Barcelona, and then best way to get to Ponferrada, thanks, Aliwalks

aliwalks · Mar 15, 2015

Thank you everyone I appreciate the help, will fly to Madrid and then make my way!

aliwalks · Mar 15, 2015

NualaOC said:
Another idea to throw into the mix - if you end up flying to Barcelona (because of cheaper flights) - Iberia/Air Nostrum flies from Barcelona to Leon. Flight time is 1 hour and 25 mins.

You can then get an Alsa bus from Leon to Ponferrada (1 hour and 40 mins)

Not as straightforward as travelling through Madrid, but it if the times work out OK it might be easier than a bus from Barcelona to Ponferrada.

Thank you Nuala, will likely fly to Madris, and then maybe bus very grateful for your help!

aliwalks · Mar 15, 2015

Castilian said:
Madrid is closer to Ponferrada and has more transport links with Ponferrada. You can take a bus from Madrid's airport to Ponferrada or, if you plan to spend sometime in Madrid, you can take a bus from the downtown too (Estación Sur de Autobuses). A train out of downtown Madrid (Chamartín train station) is another option.

Barcelona is more far away from Ponferrada than Madrid but if flight tickets to Barcelona are much cheaper, it wouldn't be a bad option because there's a nicely timed overnight train from downtown Barcelona (Sants train station) to Ponferrada.

For bus fares and schedules, take a look at this web:

http://www.alsa.es/en

And for train fares and schedules, take a look at this web (be aware you might get heavily discounted fares by booking online well in advance. Bookings usually open 2 months in advance but sometimes they open later):

http://www.renfe.com

Wow so much incredible information, very much appreciated, will check the sites out,

aliwalks · Mar 15, 2015

natefaith said:
Madrid is much closer to Ponferrada than Barcelona, so unless a flight to Barcelona is way cheaper than a flight to Madrid, I'd go with Madrid. Taking the train from Madrid up to Ponferrada will take you about 4.5 - 6 hours (depending on which train you choose) and a train from Barcelona will be more like 10 hours. You can check out train itineraries here: www.renfe.com. They probably won't have itineraries published yet for September, but you can enter in sample dates in, say, April, and see what comes up just to give you an idea of what to expect.

You can also take a bus from Madrid to Ponferrada: http://www.alsa.es/rutas/madrid-ponferrada.htm. Looks like it's only about 4.5 - 6 hours as well - not too shabby!

Ponferrada is a beautiful town and a great place to start. Buen Camino!!
Faith

Much appreciated, have some great ideas so now will plan flying to Madrid...

BamaVol · Mar 16, 2015

We will start our camino next year from Ponferrada as well. I found information in this forum with a link to bus schedules. There appear to be 2 bus routes from Madrid. The express is faster and they make it sound positively luxurious - there's even a lounge open prior to boarding. Keep your eye on fares. It looks like there are deals available.

We will overnight in Madrid to get over the jetlag and regain our energy before starting. You could do the same in Ponferrada I suppose, but it might be easier to exhaust oneself in Madrid before getting a good night's sleep and waking up to catch the bus.

Either way you go, buen camino.

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