Getting from Avila from Madrid

We did that trip via bus several years ago and it worked well.

Thank you for your response. Did you do the trip in 1 day?

Since you will have a rental car, just use it so you don’t need to wait on buses. To my knowledge there is no direct train from Ávila to Segovia.

In 2023 we drove from the airport to Ávila and spent a night there to get over jet-lag. The drive is about 1.5 hours taking the back roads (no tolls). Getting out of Madrid during rush hour was the biggest pain. From Ávila to Segovia it’s about an hour drive. By taking the N-110 there are no tolls. Also, if you just wanted to see the exterior, by taking the back road you’ll pass very near Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

Ávila can be seen in a couple hours. The main draw is the wall that surrounds the city. There is a fee for walking along the walls. One can get a good view of the city from the Cuatro Postes overlook. The other draw is the church that occupies the site of where Teresa of Ávila’s house was. Check its hours if you want to visit it. Before heading over, look for parking outside the wall as there is minimal, if any, public parking for non-residents inside the wall.

In Segovia, there are a number of paid parking garages near the historic center. A newer one is just up the hill from the aqueduct. There are also some free parking lots a little further from the historic center, but still very walkable. Look the free lots up beforehand since most are not marked.

Hopefully your trip is during the time of year where it stays light until about 10pm.

Edited: to drive directly from Madrid to Segovia as Nick suggested should take about 1.5 hours depending on where in Madrid you’re starting from.

With apologies, I'm going to ignore your actual question and instead say that I wouldn't try and do both Segovia and Avila as a single day-trip. Apart from the transport issues, you don't get much time in either.
I'd pick one if you only have a day available. Personally, my choice would be Segovia which has more sights.
Madrid to Segovia is easy and fast by railway, depending on where in Madrid you are staying (and the fast trains stop outside Segovia, but there is a bus service which takes you to the aqueduct). However, since you will have a car anyway, it might be better just to drive.

Rick does not include this in his book, but if you have a car don't miss the Encarnation convent maybe 10 min outside the walls, where St. Teresa lived for 30 years. You can see her cell, many of her belongings, the confessional St. John of the Cross used, the sites of some of her famous visions, and more. Tours are in Spanish but they have English handouts.

Thank you! Very helpful!

mmbanke -- We did it via an overnight and using buses. The Spanish bus system is better than it's limited train service. Our son was studying at the U of Madrid on an exchange program and we visit during Spring break. Took the AM bus to Avila, had lunch there, and mid PM took the bus on to Seqovia. Spent the night in Segovia and returned to Madrid the next PM. It was a good trip.