We are currently in Spain...I mistakenly thought that we could simply catch a bus from Toledo to Segovia and Avila. Of course, we cannot. We have already spent our days in Madrid and are not beginning our three night stay in Toledo. We did a lot here today, but would like to go to Segovia at least. We understand that we will take the train back to Madrid, however, we are a bit confused from there. We were told by the hotel that we'd have to take the Metro to another station (Cercanias?) to get to Segovia. We are very confused and I'm upset at my lack of research in this matter (costing us time and money). Please advise, as we have two full days left in Toledo and really want to check out some other areas. We are hoping to get the earliest start in the morning to make the best of our time.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16312 posts
Lisa, I checked the Renfe website for you. There are tickets avilable on the Avant train from Madrid to Segovia tomorrow, on the 8:45 and 11:15 trains as well as other times. It only takes about half an hour. From Toledo you will have to return to Madrid, arriving at the Atocha station. The train to Segovia leaves from the Chamartin station, so you will indeed have to transfer by metro. You can confirm this on the Renfe website. You'll have to check there for the schedule from Toledo to madrid so you can connect with one of the trains to Segovia (probably the 11:15 by the time you travel from Toledo and change stations.)
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
The train from Toledo to Madrid is an AVE (high speed) train. It will arrive at the Atocha Station 25 minutes from the time of departure.
I believe the train from Madrid to Segovia is cercanias (local, with many stops) train. I also believe that it will leave from the Charmartin Station, on the other side of Madrid. You will need a taxi to get efficiently to the Charmatin Station. Suggest you check the Renfe (Spain Train) site to confirm the above stations, and then make your reservations, or you can purchase the tickets at the Charmartin Station. There is only one train to and from Toledo to Atocha. There are many trains from both Atocha and from Charmartin. You will need to ask which track and get to the proper one. I believe you will need to take the taxi from Atocha to Charmartin to get there efficiently.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16312 posts
HJ has a good suggestion on taking a taxi for the transfer between stations. it sounds like it is complicated by metro. this is whata I found on one website for the transfer: "How to Get from Atocha to Chamartin" "The easiest way to get from Atocha station to Chamartin is to take the Cercanias local rail service. Chamartin is three stops from Atocha and the journey takes just 10 minutes. The cost of a ticket is about a euro. "Atocha is on line 1 of the Madrid Metro. Chamartin is on line 10. If you don't have long in the city, you will want to take the metro from Atocha to either Sol or Gran Via. To continue your journey to Chamartin, either get back on line 1 at one of these stations, heading north until Tribunal station, where you can change to line 10. Alternatively, walk to Plaza de España station (at the end of Gran Via), where you can catch line 10 directly." If these trains don't connect up you could miss your train to Segovia. I'd go by taxi as HJ says.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
There is easy, quick rail service direct between the two stations. Arrival in one station allows free use of the rail to the other. You do not need to take the metro. You definitely do not need to take a taxi. Just ask at Atocha when you arrive and an attendent will direct you to the right location/platform for the link. If you do not have your ticket for Charmatin to Segovia, you may have to wait in a long line. Just be aware of that. Also, Segovia is on an AVE line with few, if any stops for most trains. The Segovia rail station is very remote from the town. There are local buses that take you right to the aquaduct - it's very easy and efficient.
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
Douglas...thanks for the updated information!
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
We traveled around Mexico by bus. I found the Travel Agents in town to be helpful, quick and cheap. It may be worth stopping in a travel agency to get help with your Spanish transportation. Let them book for you and don't leave until you understand how to catch your bus/train for each leg.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16312 posts
Well, it is now early evening in Spain. I wonder what they did?
Posted by
OP
Sioux City, IA, USA
10 posts
Hi All! Thanks so much for all of the advice! We are back and so very tired. We did make it to Segovia. Our morning consisted of catching a taxi from our hotel here in Toledo (Pinto El Greco) to the train station, to Madrid. Then we took the Cercanias to Chamartin where we took the Avant to Segovia. We caught #11 (like Rick says in his books) to the aqueduct! Simply reversing the order got us back tonight. We did run in to a bit of an issue trying to purchase both sets of tickets in Toledo when her printer jammed and we had to run to the train w/o our 2nd set of tickets, so had to get them at Atocha (turned out to be no big deal). AND...we decided that we had done all we wanted in Segovia and were able to exchange our tickets for a couple of hours earlier than we had originally purchased. It was a fabulous day and I'm glad we didn't let the little details stop us from the visit. It was not cheap, but I have definitely leaned how to avoid this issue in the future! Once again, you are all so very helpful here! Thanks!!!
Posted by
Texan in CA
4407 posts
YEA! (whew) All's well that ends well... GREAT JOB, HELPLINERS!!!
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
Fantastic! Now, if I want to do that same trip to Segovia from Toledo I will have the inside scoop! Thanks!
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
It's not often that the OP returns and updates us on our advice. So thanks to you for doing so and glad to hear it all worked out good.