To buy or not to buy...bus tix ahead of time

[Letsgocamino]

Greetings! Long time reader here, first time poster. I'm torn between buying our bus tickets from Madrid to Ponferrada ahead of time(on line via ALSA)or waiting until we get to the airport and buying them at the terminal. We're starting our Camino on the 16th of May. I like to know what you all have to say about this so fire away. And Gracias.

 

[Sojourner47]

Well, I've done both - last September I bought bus ticket online from Madrid to Najera (PLM bus line), it did make it easier not having to inflict my basic Spanish on the ticket clerk - lol - but there were plenty of spare seats anyway, and I'm sure the clerks are used to dealing with stoopid foreigners.... Then for the return from Leon to Barajas airport I just got ticket at the Alsa office a couple of hours before departure - again, plenty of spare seats, and no problem communicating.
So, I guess you pays your money and you takes your choice....
Maybe if you've got a tight connection it would be advisable to get your ticket beforehand.
Edit: the bus stations have ticket machines which are easy to use, if your language skills are anything like mine
Also, last April returning from Najera to Madrid,I just bought ticket from the bus driver.(the smaller places don't always have ticket offices/machines)
And when I return to Madrid in June, I shall get my Alsa ticket to Leon at the airport.....

 

[fraluchi]

I'm torn between buying our bus tickets from Madrid to Ponferrada ahead of time(on line via ALSA)or waiting until we get to the airport and buying them at the terminal.

My last experience was that a) the ticket dispenser at the airport was out of order, and b) the agency in the air terminal which issues ALSA tickets had a huge line of people (waiting time 45 minutes). I would purchase the ticket on-line and make sure there is sufficient time between arrival of my plane and the leaving of the bus. I prefer to have a cool beer rather than lining up at an agency. :roll:

 

[Anniesantiago]

Last year I had to buy tickets for 15 passengers from Burgos to Leon and Leon to Astorga in mid May and again in August. I had no problems getting seats when I bought the tickets in person.

 

[annakappa]

I disagree with fraluchi ( who is my husband)! We experienced a very delayed flight once ( due to a drug overdose case on the plane, hence an emergency landing). Had we pre-booked, we would have simply lost our reservation and our money. Anne

 

[piogaw]

Buy your tickets at the bus office in madrid barajas airport. You are arriving on a weekday, you shouldn't have any problem getting seats. They normally will lay out extra buses if there are more passengers.

Buen camino.