Bilbao to Madrid

Posted by Kit Ko (Seattle, WA) on 06/25/17 11:47 PM

Hi all-
Our tour of the basque region ends in Bilbao, and our flight home leaves from Madrid 48 hours later.

Looking at our transportation options, it looks like maybe I should just rent a car and drive 4 hours ($85). Train would be $100-120 (2 passengers), and bus would be $60-90. Flying would be a bit faster, but tickets are expensive right now....would cost about $200 total.

I thought maybe we could stop in Segovia on the way. I know ideally one would spend more than a couple hours there, but it seems better than spending extra time on the bus.

What's the drive like? Scenic in any way? Is there somewhere other than Segovia we should stop at?

Posted by Jazz+Travels

Chicago

06/26/17 12:47 AM

8166 posts

Nothing scenic about that ride but Avila and Segovia are worth a stop.

Posted by Eef

06/26/17 03:00 AM

885 posts

Burgos would be another interesting stop.

Posted by acraven

Washington DC

06/26/17 07:38 PM

28102 posts

For me, Avila is a distant third choice if it's competing with Burgos and Segovia.

Burgos and Segovia are quite different. You might Google for pictures. Of course, Segovia has the calendar sight, which I must admit is darn impressive even though classical ruins don't interest me much. It also has some interesting architecture in the historic district.

I remember Burgos's architecture as more colorful, it has a beautiful cathedral, and there are two monasterios just outside town that would be easy to visit with a car. Burgos tends to be windy, though, so hold on to your hat.

Posted by jaimeelsabio

Mid-Atlantic area

06/26/17 08:49 PM

7162 posts

The drive is all interstates with the first half of the drive being a toll road. It's like driving on an interstate in the states. Both Burgos and Segovia are nice to see. The main sights in Burgos are close together (mainly the cathedral area) and can be seen in a few hours if need be. The Cartuja de Miraflores is just outside Burgos, nice to visit, and is free. There is another monastery about a mile from the cathedral. Segovia would be about the same with the main attraction being the Alcazar followed by the aqueduct. More time in each city would optimally be nicer. If you like castles, there are a number along that route with most being between Burgos and Madrid (Penafiel, Medina del Campo, Coca, Cuellar, Portillo, Arevalo). There's the convent of Santa Clara in Tordesillas, but that's a little out of your way and not much else in that town.