Hi, I am trying to figure out the fastest/easiest way to get from the Madrid Airport to Salamanca after landing around 13:45 on a weekday. I am sure I will be very jet-lagged and am the worst at directions regardless of where I am. It looks like Renfe is my fastest option, but I am nervous about trying to get there from the airport and figuring out where to go. Alternatively I can just take a bus directly from the airport but I would have to wait 4 hours! (which seems nuts since other departure times are only about 2 hours between trains, so maybe I just don't know what I'm doing. Has anyone done this?
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7897 posts
I’ll assume you’re referring to the city of Salamanca and not the Salamanca neighborhood of Madrid.
Unless I’m missing something, trains to Salamanca depart from the Principe Pío and Chamartín stations. You’d need to get to the station the train you select departs from, from the airport. I use the metro to get into town from the airport, but being unfamiliar with the city a taxi may be best for you.
A couple wildcards are whether your flight departs and arrives on time, and the time it takes to get through immigration. I gotten through in 20 minutes on some trips yet 1.5 hours on another trip.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Sorry, yes, the city. Thank you for the help! And with that kind of a time range for customs, maybe it would be ok to just wait and decide when I arrive? I have read on some sites that the buses sell out sometimes.
Posted by
Paris
7575 posts
Principe Pio has the slow trains to Salamanca, every two hours or so (with a few gaps), no advance booking needed, journey time a bit less than three hours. Principe Pio is not that convenient to reach from the airport (metro lines 8 & 6): I would take a taxi.
Chamartin has the fast trains, a bit less frequent, journey time 1h45 or so, but reservations are needed. It is much closer to the airport, with a direct train from T4.
If there is a convenient departure from Chamartin ~3 hours after you land, I would book it.
And if you miss it, use the slow trains as a backup.
If there are no convenient departures from Chamartin, but good ones from Principe Pio, make that your plan A.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you! Looks like trains are recommended over buses if I can get to Charmartin in a timely manner.
Posted by
Paris
7575 posts
To be fair, the bus is totally fine if you are OK with the 4 hour wait, but you're understandably looking for a better option.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Maybe as a plan C, lol! I have the feeling I would sleep through its departure!