I wanted to take day trips to Toledo and Segovia from Madrid via the train from Atocha train station. I would like to buy the tickets 2-3 days in advance when I will already be at the staion when I arrive from Seville. Is is possible to buy the tickets to Toledo and Segovia in advance at the station from the self serve kiosks? I heard that the ticket office lines can be very long, so I prefer to buy a roundtrip ticket from a ticket machine. I do have a Chip and Pin card from andrews federal credit union. Also, can you buy this type of train ticket anywhere else (not talking about online)?
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
I can't answer your question about buying advance tickets at the kiosks, since I haven't tried to do that. But I did want to let you know that the fast train from Madrid to Segovia (30 minutes) leaves from Chamartin station, not Atocha. You can take the regional train from Atocha, but it takes two hours.
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
The high speed train to Toledo leaves from the Atocha station....on the south side of the city.
The high speed train train to Segovia leaves from the Charmartin station...on the north side of the city. You can purchase the tickets on line from the states...see the Renfe train site, or purchase at the station. The longest line I have had to wait in was about ten minutes....when you enter the ticket area, get a number, just like in the ice cream shops here...
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
My experience is that the lines are longer than 10 minutes. I waited 90 minutes once. There are two lines, day-of tickets and advance tickets. Day-of ticket lines are usually not so bad. Atocha always seems more crowded than Chamartin.
Definitely buy your round trip tickets at the time of your purchase if you know when you want to return.
If your card works in the kiosk, definitely do it that way. It should work just fine since it is a full chip & PIN. You may or may not be able to buy the Segovia tickets at Atocha since those trains leave from Chamartin, and beware of buying a ticket to Segovia that leaves from Atocha since that is a much longer train.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
Consider using buses as an alternative. The high-speed train will get you there a little faster but cost a lot more without advance booking.
I'm guessing you can find specific day trips from the bus stations or tourist information centers where you can book your day trip (there and back) cheaply the evening before (even if the bus sells out, it won't be sold out the day before). Every bus station I checked in Spain had an information booth with an English speaker who will help you sort out your options, book your tickets and show you when and where to show up.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
The high speed trains from Atocha to Toledo are reserved, so your ticket will be for specific date, time, and seat assignment whenever you buy it. Chamartin-Segovia is a regional train service that does not appear (on schedules) to be reserved. In addition to the train stations, you can buy train tickets at some travel agencies, such as the one inside El Corte Ingles department store, centrally located near Plaza del Sol in Madrid (or Paca de Catalunya in Barcelona, etc).
Posted by
Port St Joe Florida
513 posts
Yes, you can buy tickets elsewhere than at the station. Many travel agencies sell RENFE tickets. If you are in the vicinity of Sol, you might want to try El Cortes Ingles department store. They have a full service travel agency on one of the upper floors - check the in-store directory for the exact floor.