Train or bus to Segovia Spain

In 2005 we spent 8 weeks in Spain and visited ( and stayed in) Segovia. We found it a magical place and we traipsed thru the wooded area surrounding the city (which is on a hill). The castle at one end of the town is marvelous and the aqueduct running thru the major downtown area is fantastic. We probably arrived by train, if memory serves but ALSA - the biggest Spanish bus service- is very good and it is possible we used that. Either is a good choice. Access is not a problem

The new AVE line from Atocha to Segovia takes half an hour for about 9.50 Euro pp each way. It connects to a city bus that makes the run into the center of the city in about 15 minutes....just under one Euro.
The bus line, La Sepulvedana, runs the service from Madrid to Segovia, taking about 1:15 each way, for a one-way fare of about 7 Euro pp. There's a bus every half hour from Madrid Florida, which is the stop outside the Hotel Florida Norte, right acrosss from the Principe Pio station. Go to maps.google.com and copy and paste these coordinates (40.42114 -3.72103) to see it on satellite view with "street view."

Thanks for the responses. I did try the ALSA bus line website but found it difficult to use. I think we'll opt for the train. Do you recommend that we wait to make the AVE reservations when we're in Madrid? I've used the Rail Europe site for our trains to Toledo and Seville so that we'd be guaranteed seats.

Marie

We ordered our tickets in advance last May...just to be sure. We took an early train out and that last train back (around 9 pm if I remember) and there were only 3 of us getting on board at that time. So you should be OK if you wait. The problem is that not all the trains are available at 9.45 Euro. You can book them ahead for peace of mind, if you'd like. Go to this RENFE site, then click on "Buy Tickets" at the top center (ignore the rest of the stuff on that page..) In the new window that opens up, enter Madrid (*) and Segovia AVE in the windows (make sure Return) is selected,) enter the date and number of passengers, and click on Buscar. The schedules for that day will open up....just select the tickets you want and proceed with your purchase. You will be able to print your tickets out at home.The regular price for off-peak trains is 9.45 Euro pp each way. But if you book now (or up to 62 days in advance if you're travelling towards the end of September), you can even take the "rush hour" trains for as little as 8.80 Euro, with their Web special.
P.S.....you'll be departing from and arriving at Madrid's Chamartin station.

My wife and I did this trip this past October. Since we weren't certain about which day we wanted to visit Segovia, we bought our ticket the day before at Atoche - no problems. The train leaves from Chamartin and is a comfortable smooth ride. Shuttle buses are coordinated to meet each train's arrival in Segovia and deliver you directly to the Aqueduct - about a 15 minute shuttle ride. Likewise, buses are scheduled to depart from the Aqueduct in time to catch the returning trains.

When arriving in Segovia using AVE, do you simply purchase tickets on the bus from the driver for the short trip to the aqueduct?

Yes, Michael...it's a Segovia city bus that is timed to the arrival of the trains. There are two buses at the train station, the #10 and 11...the #10 is the one you want. The fare is 88 cents Euro, and the driver will make change...but only from 1 or 2 Euro coins, I believe. When you get off downtown, right at the Aqueduct, you will see the return times for the #11 to the AVE station....they try to time them for the trains' departures as well.

Thanks, Norm. Thought it was a city bus, but just wanted to make sure. Does the number 11 back to the Guiomar station run late enough for the last AVE back to Madrid...I believe it's around 9:30 p.m.? If the bus isn't running that late, I suppose a taxi will do. Any thoughts about adding La Granja to this daytrip? It looks like the palace is only open until 5 p.m. or so.

Sorry, Marie...didn't mean to hijack your post. :)

No Problem! It's all good information.

Michael....yes it does. When you get off in downtown Segovia, you'll see the return schedule posted on the bus stop there. They time the last buses, I think, at about 830 and 840 pm to catch the last train to Madrid.

As for La Granja, yes, it's worth a visit from Segovia. La Sepulvedana bus lines has a bus about 1/hr from Segovia to San Ildefonso, and the trip takes about half an hour. I think tickets are about 1 Euro each way. The bus station is only about a 10 minute walk from where you get off the bus from the train station, on Paseo Ezequiel Gonzales, so it's easy to get to. At maps.google.com copy and paste these coordinates to find out where you'll get off/on the train station bus (40.94843 -4.11715) and for the La Sepulvedana bus station (40.94514 -4.12223).

Norm: Thank you.

Marie: Thanks again for allowing me to expand on your post!