Atocha Station / Madrid - Rick Steves Travel Forum

Posted by Kenko

Citizen of the World

1430 posts

You could take high-speed trains for each of your routes— even on the Madrid to Toledo run where Renfe uses Avant trains. So, what you could do is plan to arrive at Atocha station 30 minutes
before your train’s departure to Toledo. If it’s a fast train, you will need to put your luggage/shoulder bag on a conveyor belt that moves your things through the magnetometer, similar to what happens at airports. That is the extent of what happens— there’s no machine scanning of passengers as seen at airports.
The security line is not normally lengthy as it’s only for screening luggage going on high-speed trains unlike what occurs at airports. My personal experience is that I’m through Atocha’s in 5-7 minutes.
I imagine if a jet-lagged tour group arrives just ahead of you, it could take longer.

Since you’re going to Atocha for your train to Toledo .as your first trip, by taking a fast train you’ll have Atocha’s layout wired for the other trips. If not, give yourself an extra 10-15 minutes to get a cup of coffee and a churro and scope out where the security checkpoint is for the high-speed trains. And don’t hesitate to ask any uniformed station employee where to go for the AVE train security checkpoint. It cuts to the chase and you get expert direction.
Have a great Trip!

Posted by balso

Paris

01/31/24 11:57 AM

6901 posts

How much time do we need to be at the station before departure? Are there security checkpoints? Do we have to check-in?

There is no check-in, but there is a basic security checkpoint. 30 minutes sounds good for a first-timer.

What side of Atocha station do the long distance trains arrive & depart?

Not sure what you mean. They leave from the main concourse, right behind the old station hall with the tropical garden, you cannot really miss that.

If, by chance, one misses their ticketed/reserved train, can you exchange your ticket for a later train?

It depends on the fare conditions of the ticket. If I remember correctly, Spanish trains are not very generous when it comes to that, so the answer is likely to be "no" or "at a high cost".