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Suggestion on the best way to travel from Santiago to Madrid

J

JoeF

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
August 2023
t the end of my Camino I will need to travel to Madrid for my flight back home to Toronto and I have yet not finalized my return from Santiago to Madrid. Trying to get a train ticket is near impossible and the flight is very early morning. Can any of you offer suggestions on the best way to travel from Santiago to Madrid?
 
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What’s the problem with the train ticket?

For an early flight out of Madrid, you’re going to have to travel the day before.
 
I agree that the train is "the best", followed by bus. However, you cannot expect to get a last-minute train ticket on your preferred time and date - this might be the problem you have run into.
 
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What date?
 
On my three visits to Santiago, I left by train and never had any issues getting a ticket. If your flight is very early, you may have to take the evening train the night before.

I'm not sure what date you are looking for, but Renfe does not open up the train schedule too far in advance. I usually start looking just 2-3 weeks before my travel date.
 
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Thanks for that piece of info. If tickets are available just 2-3 weeks in advance then that probably explains why I cannot get a ticket. If that is so, then I will have to do my booking while on my camino.
 
JoeF said:
If tickets are available just 2-3 weeks in advance then that probably explains why I cannot get a ticket. If that is so, then I will have to do my booking while on my camino.
Click to expand...
They should be available farther out than that. Just keep an eye on it because the earlier you buy the ticket the less expensive it usually is.
 
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henrythedog said:
What’s the problem with the train ticket?

For an early flight out of Madrid, you’re going to have to travel the day before.
Click to expand...
Not able to get a ticket. I see on some of the responses now that I may have to do it just about 3 wks in advance. The booking is to arrive Madrid 3rd Oct
 
Use the train from SdeC to Madrid.
There are several sites for purchasing tickets. If you fail on one, go to another.
I got stuck with Covid and couldn't travel home until I tested negative. Once I did, I hurriedly searched for a train ticket. Found one on my third site. 10 minutes later there were none on that site either.
So...if possible...book at least a week ahead!
 
JoeF said:
Thanks for that piece of info. If tickets are available just 2-3 weeks in advance then that probably explains why I cannot get a ticket. If that is so, then I will have to do my booking while on my camino.
Click to expand...
I just checked and right now tickets are available as far out as September 30th. Just keep checking, shouldn't be too much longer.
Buen Camino!
 
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I got a flight on Iberia for $32! Leave early on an October morning, so am taking an evening flight the night before from Santiago to Madrid.
 
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Ideal pocket guides for during and after your Camino. Each weighs just 40g (1.4 oz).
In May, we were able to buy our tickets at the train station two days before leaving Santiago for Madrid. As I recall, one departure had sold out, but we had several good options to choose between.
 
If you are over 60 you are eligible for a Gold card which gives you major discounts on your rail ticket 25%-40%. Check https://www.renfe.com/es/es/viajar/prepara-tu-viaje/descuentos/mayores-de-60 It only costs €6 and is valid for a year. Buy it first at a station before buying a ticket online.
Also short haul flights, while they can be cheap, are bigger CO2 emitters per kilometre than long haul flights as most CO2 emissions are during take off and landing. I don’t mean to judge people, sometimes you have to do what you have to do, but if you have a choice, train travel is pleasant and gentler on the earth.
 
I always fly from SdC to my return hub to Toronto (usually Madrid or Lisbon). Iberia has decent pricing.
 
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Thanking each and everyone of you for your valuable suggestions. I ended booking a bus ticket from Santiago to Madrid through Omio. It cost me Euro 54.88. I will just need to find how to get to the ALSA bus station which should hopefully not be a problem. Bueon Camino for all those on the road. God Bless
 
JoeF said:
Thank you. I have been looking to travel from Santiago so as to arrive Madrid morning of 3rd October.
Click to expand...
What we did was travel out of Santiago on Iberia the day before, stayed at a hotel with shuttle service to and from the terminal, and flew out back home the next day. The flight from Santiago to Madrid is just a little over an hour vs. by train which takes 5 to 6 hours.
 
Best lightweight pocket guides
Ideal pocket guides for during and after your Camino. Each weighs just 40g (1.4 oz).
I have traveled many times from Santiago to Madrid. I never buy a ticket far out. With about 2 weeks before my departure date back home from Madrid I check Iberian Express and Vueling for flights. I have 3 times bought airline tickets that were either cheaper or about the same price as the train. Once I flew from San Sebastian and it was cheaper by plane also. Only once was the train much cheaper. If you have an early morning flight I would book a hotel that has an airport shuttle that is very close to the airport. There are lots of them.
 
I have done this trip twice, both by daylight train. With the improved track and maybe the AVE or even the Media Distance trains you experience speeds over 200kmph, get to see a part of Spain the Camino bypassed. My only drawback is that you arrive at the station at the northern end of the city. It’s ok if you are heading for the airport, but if you have a night it two planned in Madrid, a city well worth the time, you have to take the metro. Cheers
 
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From my experience I think I was able to book up to 60 days in advance. There is a small problem when RENFE changes from winter to Sumer timetable, then advanced bookings can be problematic. Cheers
 
I too am looking for transport from SDC to Madrid in October. Staying a few days in Madrid before flying back to USA. Trains - right now Renfe - is only posting schedule to 30 Sept, anticipate fare from 80 to 100 euros, taxi to train station, then metro to Madrid hotel (a few euros). Yes it looks like Iberia flight may be cheaper - however, I would have to pay for: a bag (don't judge), taxis (to and from airport) and get there 2 hours before flight. I have downloaded the Renfe app. Will check on train schedule before I depart USA or use the app once I get to Spain. Either way do the math and take what ever path works best for you.
 
I too, travelled home from Santiago to Madrid to Toronto and then Hfx. My flight was fairly early so I took the train the day before and stayed in a great hostel.The airport is a fair distance but def could get public transport early enough to get there, it appeared. However, I shared an Uber with two hostel guests. Good luck!
 
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Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
JoeF said:
Not able to get a ticket. I see on some of the responses now that I may have to do it just about 3 wks in advance. The booking is to arrive Madrid 3rd Oct
Click to expand...
Just don’t forget and waltz into the station expecting to get a seat on that day’s train. Three years ago I did just that for the next day’s passage and got the last seat! Learned a good lesson then and there.
 
Fly! It’s cheap, quick and no hassle, based on my experience in June. Buen Camino.
 
jcat said:
I just checked and right now tickets are available as far out as September 30th. Just keep checking, shouldn't be too much longer.
Buen Camino!
Click to expand...
Tickets are available as of now- 10 trains listed!
 
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Last year when I needed to go from Santiago to Pamplona I could not get a train. So I did something I have never done in my whole life - a went to a travel agency in Santiago. After about 45 minutes I got a ticket. Don't know what the problem in. Renfe is usually very easy to use Good luck
 
I tried to get a train ticket a few days ahead of time, and prices were crazy by that point. (This was in June.) I ended up taking the bus, which was much cheaper. Long day in a bus (there was a stop), but it was only one day of my life. I survived.
 
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