Please sign in to post.
Holiday Sale! Save 20% Storewide!

time to get from Madrid Atocha to Chamartin on March 16

Posted by on

Oy. I’ve been having such trouble trying to figure out how to get from Seville to Valencia next Saturday, March 16.

The latest wrinkle - next Saturday we arrive from Seville in Madrid at the Atocha train station (near the Prado). I made another reservation from Madrid to Valencia, but I didn’t realize today that it depart from Madrid Chamartin station, which, according to Google maps, is at least 20 minutes away.

If on time, we arrive at Atocha at 12:13 PM (non-refundable Ave ticket). Then we need to ge to Chamartin for a 13:15 departure (exchangeable Ouigo ticket). Ouigo states that they request check in 30 min prior to departure, and the ‘gate’ closes 5 minutes prior to departure (so 13:10).

Anyone else experience this issue? Is it possible to arrive at Antocha at 12:13, grab a cab (or subway???) and get to Chamartin within 45 minutes for a 1 PM (or shortly thereafter) departure?

If we miss the Ouigo 13:15 train, there is another one departing at 17:15. However, if I wait until that day to purchase, it’s likely to be sold out (it’s the middle of the Los Fallas celebration and a Saturday…). I could by two tickets, 80% refundable 30 min prior, for the 17:15 train as insurance (at 112 euros for two).

The original Ouigo ticket is exchangeable and I could exchange the 13:15 ticket for 17:15, but it will cost 60 euro plus any price difference in the ticket.

Ugh. Any thoughts?

Posted by
1548 posts

Check your ticket. If it says Combinado or something like that. It includes travel on a local train to your next station. We did that recently. It was a short walk between platforms though we did ask for directions. We made our connections with no problem.

We were also thinking of a taxi until I found this information on Seat 61. I hope this helps you.

Posted by
7162 posts

Taking the metro from Atocha to Chamartín will take about 30 minutes. Chamartín is a pretty small station.

Posted by
38 posts

Do you think taking the metro subway between the stations is faster than getting outside and getting a taxi?

Posted by
1548 posts

Can’t answer since we used the metro. We didn’t have to leave the station , look for the taxi stand, etc. and it was a short walk between platforms.

Posted by
2029 posts

It will be a Saturday, which means a taxi could get you the 8 miles to Madrid Chamartin-Clara Campoamor train station in 20 minutes. Your only other practical option is taking a CERCANIAS commuter train to Madrid Chamartin-Clara Campoamor train station These trains travel between the two stations faster than the metro because they only make 3 stops. The Cercanias train line should take 15 minutes with a train leaving every 5 minutes. You also need to allow time to get your Cercanias ticket.
Madrid Chamartin-Clara Campoamor is no longer a small train station. It currently is undergoing a major 3-year, billion-euro reconstruction project to put the entire train station underground. It is a construction site now and takes a bit more time to navigate. You will need to put your luggage through an x-ray machine at the security checkpoint if you’re taking a high-speed train. It only takes a couple minutes.
If your choice is a taxi, be certain your driver knows you want the Madrid Chamartin-Clara Campoamor train station. There are other locations nearby called “Chamartin” and this can cause confusion.
Have fun in Spain!

Posted by
38 posts

Thanks to all responders. As usual, it was of great assistance. We decided to buy another two tickets for the train that leaves Madrid for Valencia at 5:15 PM, in addition to our 1:15 PM tickets. We figured we have a 50/50 chance of making the earlier time, but needed a strong back up in case we missed it. Buying new tickets only cost $25 more than exchanging our 1:15 to 5:15 (since OUIGO charges $30 per ticket for an exchange). This was an expensive but important lesson to learn!

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.