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Construction at Madrid-Chamartin train station

10 days ago I traveled from by train from Burgos, Spain to Madrid-Chamartin train station...then on to Madrid-Atocha. There was a great deal of construction at Madrid-Chamartin. As a result, it was confusing to find how to transfer to the train to Madrid-Atocha. Maybe I missed the direct walking route? I ended up exiting the station, walking around it, and reentering it.

The purpose of this post is to encourage those traveling through Madrid-Chamartin this summer to pack some patience.

Want to add that I had a very positive experience on the train journey itself.

Posted by
3769 posts

Madrid-Chamartin-Clara Campoamor train station has been a mess now at least for a couple years. They are expanding it and the finished project will put the entire station underground. The remodel is going to take a total of six years to complete at the cost of €1 Billion.
Give yourselves extra, extra time to get to your train if departing from this train station.

Posted by
5743 posts

Yes, it was confusing. I was there Tuesday. At the airport, the Renfe representative told me to go to Track 2 for Atocha (I arrived Track 7 or 8). Google Maps said Track 10. I finally asked someone and yes, it was Track 2. I will be back there tomorrow and we’ll see…… Based on my one other experience a few years ago, I feel like there’s a whole big area I never saw.

Posted by
9000 posts

We were through a few weeks ago, they had decent signage and people directing traffic, but it was a mess. Just getting from the train to the Metro station seemed to take forever, passageways set up through the construction, but eventually getting there.

Posted by
19 posts

Ugh. Don’t like to hear all that.

I am arriving in Madrid airport and have to get to Chamartin for a train to San Sebastián all on the morning of 23/6. Any more advice anyone can give besides what has been already posted specific to my
situation? Thank you.

Posted by
5743 posts

Maybe someone else has better advice or a different experience. I arrived from the airport at a really nice new hall, which was either the media distance or long distance section. Then I took one of those trains on to Atocha.

I came back a few days later: Atocha to Chamartin via the Cernanias and was not in the same hall at all. I exited and spent the night. Then the next day I went back to the Cercanias hall to take the train to the airport.

So all I know there seems to be two different halls (and signs indicated that). You need to know your train number to San Sebastian and whether your train is media distance or long distance.

And this may be all wrong!