Taking train from Terminal 4 at MAD to Toledo. Transfer from regional to AVE at ATocha station. What is a reasonable transfer time allowance to get from regional to AVE train?
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8062 posts
We took the Bus rather than the train, but similar in time I suppose. We did not purchase tickets ahead, I do not think you would save much by doing so. Figure at least 10-15 minutes just to find your way, but then you do need to be there early due to security. Since the bombing 15 or so years ago, you go through something just less than airport type security, stand in line, bags go through x-ray, then find your seat. So figure a good 30 minutes to be safe.
If you are trying to plan out to buy a ticket for the AVE, I would just suggest waiting, rather than committing to a specific train. Too many other opportunities for delay to bank on a quick transfer.
Posted by
OP
23 posts
Paul, did your bus go directly from Terminal 4 straight to Toledo?
Thanks for the heads-up on the security.
One concern about booking our return from Toledo to MAD, terminal 4, is that we will be traveling up the day before the soccer championship in Madrid (5/31/19) It would seem that waiting to book might be an issue regarding getting a seat?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4656 posts
are you arriving internationally? If so, it makes me a little hesitant to buy tickets for arrival day, but research whether you can buy late tickets and exchange them for earlier if seats available. I would certainly buy ahead for the 31st.
There seems to be sports activities all the week ahead (Sevilla May 25th for example), so see what you can do about buying ahead with some leaway.
As mentioned, there is a security check in Atocha. If you have tickets in hand. I doubt you need 30 minutes. If you have longer, there are areas for a quick lunch - or coffee if dealing with jet lag. I was trying to connect to Toledo from Cordoba, and 17 minutes was too short, so I was stuck with over an hour wait.
When I checked, bus was longer than train from Madrid to Toledo, but it is an alternative. I don't know about bus from airport to Toledo.
Posted by
Washington DC
28096 posts
The ticket-seller at the airport train station should be able to help you figure out the right amount of time to allow at Atocha. If in doubt, ask to travel on the subsequent train so you can have extra time to buy a snack, etc.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8062 posts
The bus I referred to was the express bus from the Airport to Atocha Station, we then transferred to the train to Toledo.