Will be in Spain and Portugal for 24 days in Oct. Have allotted 5 days for Madrid including a day each for Segovia and Toledo. Any opinions on best ways of transportation for the side trips and is there a best area of Madrid to stay in that will be convenient for the day trips? RS book is a little confusing. Thanks.
Posted by
Dunwoody, Georgia
338 posts
Its been several years since I've been to Madrid, but I used the bus to get to both Segovia and Toledo for day trips. I took a cab from the bus station to the old town in Toledo. It worked out just fine. I've stayed two different places in Madrid one in the suburbs and one near Plaza Mayor. I'd suggest any recommended hotel near the city center. I stayed in the Hotel Plaza Mayor and liked it, but check recent reviews since my experience is out of date. Good luck.
Posted by
Ypsilanti, MI, USA
233 posts
We took the cheap, 1-hour bus from Madrid to Toledo, getting to the bus station by metro. To get to Segovia, we took the AVE train from Chamartin station (but I know there are other ways to get there). I've stayed near Puerta del Sol (at Hostal Acapulco) and near the Prado (at Hostal Gonzalo), and both have been very convenient to walking everywhere in the old center, restaurants, evening paseo, using the metro, and getting to/from the airport. Overall, I find Madrid very easy to get around. I've found the RS Spain book very informative for planning both my trips, in 2009 and 2011.
Posted by
OP
Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
255 posts
Good info. Thanks.
Posted by
S.F. Bay Area, CA, United States
1878 posts
Bus is quite a bit faster for Segovia, I think it's closer to the same time for Toledo. The buses work great, the big down side is that you have to go to a different bus station for each.
Posted by
Des Moines, IA
2193 posts
We stayed at Hostal Acapulco a year ago...great find right in the center...inexpensive, very clean, and highly-rated. Check tripadvisor. You can take a Sepulvedana bus from Principe Pio station directly to Segovia – about an hour one way. We left mid-morning...no rush hour. Coming back at the end of rush hour meant a 45 minute delay once we hit the outskirts of Madrid, however. Plan it so you miss rush hour on either end. If you can avoid rush hour, the bus will be faster than the train. Otherwise, the bus was cheap and easy...great hill/mountain scenery along the journey...reminded me of parts of Wyoming. For Toledo, I would recommend the AVE. Principe Pio is a 20-25 walk from the center...Atocha is 15-20. If you end up with an extra half-day, go out to El Escorial. It's commuter train from Atocha...maybe 45 minutes one way. Incredible place! Happy travels.
Posted by
OP
Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
255 posts
Great ideas. Thanks