Train or bus Madrid to Toledo day trip late June weekday?

You can easily travel to Toledo via train( 30 minutes travel time) & you can buy your tickets a day or two before you plan to go there. No need to buy in advance in the US.

I'll offer a somewhat contrarian view: don't do Toledo as a day trip. Lord, especially in June! Why? Because everybody does Toledo as a day trip. As a day-triper, you show up late morning, along with 15,000 of your friends, and guess what? Toledo is a crowded, sweaty, annoying mess, with streets crowded elbow-to-elbow. And in June?...hoo-boy, I hope you like the heat! Between about 10 am and 4 pm, Toledo is a zoo. But guess what? Outside those hours, the place is pretty much empty, it's charming, comfortable, easy, magical, and delightful. So what? So don't do what every other tourist does. Stay the night. Arrive mid-afternoon, maybe around 2-3 pm (take the train, it's fast and comfy). As you arrive, take a good hard look at the sea of humanity, the packs of tourists following their guides, note how uncomfortable everyone is as they try to squeeze through the hot, narrow streets. Watch as they all get back on their bus or head for the train station, between 3 and 5 pm. Note how the streets become empty, the place gets quiet, you can hear bells ringing, children laughing in the distance, and footsteps echoing on narrow stone streets. You will be transported back in time. Enjoy a few delightful hours through the late afternoon and into the evening. Enjoy a nice meal. Sleep in the old center, and get up early. The city will be deserted - only the locals setting up shop and a few smart tourists with big smiles. Enjoy a few more hours of bliss as you have this amazing city nearly all to yourself, then sit back and watch the the endless line of busses roll in and disgorge the crowds of day-trippers around 9-10 am. Be glad you are not one of them, and head out to your next destination by 11 am. You will be glad you did.

David- I'm planning on traveling to Toledo April 8th. Do your comments about big crowds in Toledo pertain to April as well?

Many thanks for your helpful suggestions, which I am going to combine. Since I am taking the RS MyWay Tour I don't have the option of anything but a day trip. It is useful to know that waiting to go until later in the day, if I am primarily interested in the Cathedral, could be a viable option, returning in the early evening, if by late afternoon the area begins to be less crowded. As well as waiting until I am there to choose ticket options. Thanks again!

Toledo is certainly nicer in the evening and early morning for those staying overnight, but for a lot of people, that won't work for them. So daytrip it is. Either bus or train works fine; the train is faster but can fill up on crowded summer days. Ticket lines at Atocha are the main issue you have to deal with.

If taking the train, I recommend getting your tickets a day or so ahead. That saves you from waiting in a long line and potentially missing the train you wanted to take that day. Lines are usually marked for day-of travel or future travel so be sure to get in the right line. Buy your return ticket at that time as sometimes return trains late in the day sell out. There is no advance purchase discount.

The bus leaves from the bus station and you just get your ticket then and there.

The advantage to taking a train is it's a little faster. I don't believe you need to take a bus from around Atocha. I think you can get to Toledo from any station (and probably the TI's). The buses will be cheaper and they are rarely filled to capacity. Every bus station I visited had an English speaking information kiosk to help you navigate your options and book your ticket. Once you have your ticket you just have to be at the right gate at the right time, no different than a plane or train.

I totally agree with staying a night in Toledo. Madrid has very expensive lodging and food (and neither is very good unless you really pay for top end choices), crime is worse in Madrid and there is significantly less history and culture. If you want to tour Toledo, why not enjoy better, and cheaper, accommodations and food? The only advantage Madrid offers is night life; if that's not a big draw, Toledo is a better choice all around.

Regarding April 8th, April is considered high season in Spain but be prepared for weather. We spent the month of April in Spain. It was unseasonably cold (we drove through a snow storm between Jaen and Granada), especially in northern Spain. It will still be spring, so you should be ready for anything from sunny and comfortable to rainy, breezy and chilly. Hopefully it will have warmed up and be perfect when you are there.

The main summer months aren't as popular as the shoulder months except along the northern coast and beach areas - because it gets hot (Arizona hot).

David makes an excellent point, staying in Toledo for at least an overnight is ideal...

However, not everyone may have the time or the desire to do so.

My suggestion would be to get there as early as possible, walk straight to the cathedral, so you will be there right before it opens at 10AM.
Once you've visited the main attraction, wonder along the narrow cobble stone streets down to the periphery of the city,
& check other interesting sites such as:

• The Greco Museum
• Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes
• Sinagoga de Santa Maria La Blanca
• Church of Santo Tomé
• Santa Cruz Museum

There are restaurants & shops everywhere, so try not to get stuck on the main street (Calle Comercio) leading to the cathedral, (from Plaza Zocodover) when you first arrive.

Our favorite place to eat was at, "El Trébol", on a narrow street behind the TI office.

There is also a market, 'Mercado Municipal', right by Plaza Mayor, if you want to get some snacks or everything you may need for a delicious picnic!

If you're a thrill seeker, you can even zip across the Tajo River!

There is a company that has a zip line set up by Puente de San Miguel (Bridge of San Miguel), near the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes. I didn't zip across the river, but it sure looked like fun!

Enjoy your day trip!

P.S. Do take Douglas' advice & make sure to buy your return tickets, at the same time you buy your inbound tickets.

Check here for train schedules: http://www.renfe.com

Daniela, Toledo is a popular destination, so it's especially crowded from April - October.