Hello,
On Friday, July 17, I'm planning to take an early fast train from Valencia Joaquin Sorolla station to the Madrid airport.
Should I book on Renfe ?
Since there's no direct train to the Madrid airport could you tell me which train station I get off in Madrid & then how do I get to the airport ?
Thank you.
Looks like trains from Valencia go to Chamartin train station. From there you can take a Cercanias train (C-1) to the Airport.
You can learn about train travel in Spain here-https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-spain.htm Basically, yes, www.renfe.com is the national train company. That's where I always booked my trains. Now there are some competitors, and read on Seat61, but if you wanted to compare ticket prices, I think your option is to use Trainline, where there is a small fee.
Thanks for your info. I'm a female solo senior & I couldn't find on Man in Seat 61 how to get from Charmartin to the Cercanias train (C1 )
Would appreciate a bit more specific directions on how once I arrive at the Charmartin station how I can find the Cercanias train (C1) to the airport.
The two stations (Long Distance and Commuter) are connected so it is similar to transferring at an airport, just follow the signs. They had been doing quite a bit of construction and remodeling at Chamartin, so really can not be much more specific.
Note that the commuter train goes only to Terminal 4, to get to 1,2, or 3 would then require using the inter-terminal bus/shuttle.
What time is your flight? and to where?
While two hours seems "close". figure that two hours for the fast train, maybe up to an hour to get to the airport, 2 or 3 hour check in/security/etc., you are looking at a good 6 hours of travel to make the flight, with lots of moving pieces that can break and disrupt the whole plan. I like to be a bit closer to a departure airport to give me options, but that's me. You will be depending on making that high speed train, and that it will run on time, or at all.
Thank you again. I just found out ( as you have also mentioned) about the major construction project at Charmartin station. My flight leaves 1:25 pm from Terminal 4. I don't mind getting up very early to take train to Madrid but I'm going to do some reconsidering & maybe stay in Madrid the day before my flight. Yes, I agree there's always lots of uncertainties.
With appreciation.
I'm going to do some reconsidering & maybe stay in Madrid the day
before my flight. Yes, I agree there's always lots of uncertainties.
Yes, that would be best. It's just too far from your departure airport to risk train delays. I'm a relaxed traveler, but would not consider starting off so far from away from an international departure airport.
Indeed, 1:25 PM seems too early in the day to make it from Valencia without stress, since you'd need to be at Madrid airport by 10:30 AM or so.
If you leave from T4, you can get a hotel room near Chamartín station, and if you leave from T1.2.3, you'll be better off somewhere near Nuevos Ministerios (where the direct metro to the airport leaves) - there aren't many places to stay right there but there are some options a short way to the west around 4 Caminos or in the northern part of Chamberí.
