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BOTH Avila AND El Escorial - Practical in Same Day Trip via Bus / Train from Madrid?

Posted by on

I really want to see (the walled city) Avila so am definitely planning a day trip from Madrid regardless. There looks to be both bus and commuter trains (with stops) that can get us there in about 90 min ea way.

I see that El Escorial is kinda sorta on the way - is it practical to do both (#1 Avila, #2 EE and #3 return Madrid) via bus and get back to Madrid all in one day? Without feeling overly rushed...? Bus tickets can be purchased at station/kiosk on the spot or day of?

I generally like to meander and putter once at a destination like these so I haven't looked at a packaged tour bus day trip option but maybe that's also worth considering?

Thanks,

Posted by
8166 posts

Take the earliest train to El Escorial from Atocha station to get there by 9:00am which is when El Escorial opens. (45 min ride)
It takes about 2 hours and a half to see everything, and hey, the crypts or "El pudridero de los Reyes" as it was known is quite amazing alongside the El Greco tryptichses and the main altar. Not to be missed.

There's a train line that does directly from El Escorial to Avila called Renfe "Media Distancia" (literally middle distance). You catch it from the very platform you stepped out from when you arrived from Madrid. Trip from El Escorial to Avila.

Going back to Madrid From Avila take the train Avila to (change) in Villalba to Madrid

I did not research the bus but there are some that cover this

Posted by
28083 posts

I haven't been to El Escorial, but Avila took me less than half a day (and I did the wall), so this sounds doable.

In Avila the bus and train stations are extremely close together. In Madrid you would be using the Estacion Sur bus station. It's a bit beyond Atocha (RR) Station and very near the Mendez Alvaro Metro Station. The train goes to Chamartin Station.

I think there's not much difference in the travel time via bus and train, but I haven't done a careful schedule check. The Avila-Madrid train does not allow seat reservations, so it cannot sell out. The bus theoretically could, but with the train available as a back-up plan I would not tie myself to a particular bus departure for the return trip if you prefer the bus for some reason. Better to leave that open so you can spend as much or as little time as you like in Avila.

Posted by
7159 posts

I agree with acraven that Avila is a half day. The best view of the walls is from the Cuatro Postes overlook, outside the city. El Escorial is worth a half day also. Other than the monastery and crypt of the kings, I didn't find much else to see.

Posted by
7175 posts

Some train timings for you, giving you 3 hours in El Escorial, and 4 hours in Avila ...

TRN18061
Dep 09:00 MADRID-CHAMARTIN
Arr 09:47 EL ESCORIAL

TRN18063
Dep 13:00 EL ESCORIAL
Arr 14:04 AVILA

TRN18904
Dep 18:17 AVILA
Arr 20:09 MADRID-CHAMARTIN

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