Hello! Looking for advice about what Ave train to book. My flight is scheduled to land at MAD at 7:55 AM. Any suggestions as to how long it will take to get from departing the plane to Atocha station? Thanks!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11199 posts
Here is some discussion on the subject--
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/spain/buying-train-tickets-in-advance-1aa2deba-0b95-4a2e-bbea-e6dc116daa0c
If you put your topic line in the 'search' bar ( above) you will find many more
Posted by
stevens point, wi, usa
1189 posts
Hi,
Perhaps you have been to Spain and returned already.
Bus #203 goes from airport to atocha train station as the 'express bus'. Once the bus pulls out, think 45 minutes to the station.
Or you can take the C1 train, typically departs every 10 minutes and arrives 25 minutes after departure at Atocha platform 1, sometimes platform 2.
Personally, your filght could be delayed, passport control could be clogged, the airport is the world's largest, and then there is unfamiliarity with Atocha. I would put a gap of at least 4 hours, some would feel 3 hours as enuf.
Wayne iNWI
Posted by
seattle
2047 posts
We just took the C1 train from terminal 4 to the Atocha station. It is about 40 minutes and the train is in excellent condition. To catch the train, you need to walk to the end of the metro/train level.
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1441 posts
My questions about the C1 train:
Are the train car doors step-free?
How challenging is it to navigate in Atocha station?
One intimidating thing about major European train stations is not only the size, but the chaos inside. I really didn't like Rome's Termini station. It was disorganized, stinky, and full of dodgy characters/pickpockets. How close/far is Atocha from this?
I may sound like I am paranoid, but since I will travel alone, I want to apply extra caution. Garcias!
Posted by
Washington DC
27192 posts
I have not found Atocha Station threatening from a security standpoint, but the layout is confusing to many of us, so it's important to allow time to find your platform. In addition, buying a ticket at a staffed counter there can be a multi-hour experience. I'd plan to use a ticket-vending machine if you can't buy the ticket online in advance. (Loco2.com is easier to use than renfe.com.) Have some small euro bills in case the machines don't like your credit card.
I do not remember how many, if any, steps I had to ascend to get on the train at the airport. I suspect I would remember if the process had been awkward, but I'm not sure.
Posted by
seattle
2047 posts
The C train lines have a car, about mid way down, that is step free.