Nothing the matter with the bus..tickets easily purchased, bus comfoetable and direct., price reasonable. Check the Avanza website. I have done this several times ( train also). 2 hours, decent scenery, good highway. Cab fare from Charmartin to Puerto del Sol was 20 Euros in May so probably the reverse would be true when you go.(give or take a bit). Train stops 3 places and is equally quick but you have to look after your luggage in the car's storage area. Bus has an under bus storage. Train is a more comfortable ride because you can get up and walk around.Both stations are convenient in Salamanca. Train has discounts so check out RENFRE web site. Senior gold card is worth while if train is tyhe way to go. BTW You will love Salamanca!!! If you have luggage you will find a cab is much less stressful the Metro..Also less likely to have any items go missing compliments of the bad guys who by the way are super skillful. Wish I were going with you. Need a "Mom"???

Amer_can, thanks for your helpful reply! The bus sounds better, frankly, since the station is not far from Atocha. I appreciate the advice to take a cab, since we'll have some light luggage. We'd love to have you along, but failing that, any advice you have on must-see sights or decent restaurants or tapas bars in Salamanca would be welcome!

Tapas bars...many and cheap...Look to find Calle Van Dyke then hit as many as you can.This niche is waklkable from the plaza major(Calle Van dyke, pronounced ban deek) Plaza Major is the most beautiful in Spain and at night it is lite up and awesome. In the resortation of the cathedral the hunor of the spainards shows as you will find an astronaught (very medieval, right?) a frog and a monkey..the roman bridge, the mill, the University, Good deli fare @ Carrifours in the basement and el engles cortes department store,(spelling) Wander, wander, wander! Restaurant Zazu, Casa Lis, museum and the restaruant are worth a visit, rufo's on Van Dyke, excellent sangria!!!. Chocolat @ Valor..heavenly or for that matter chocolat anywhere!!! Pastries @ Gil. Machengo and lomo and/or Iberian Ham. Rosado wine..Cresta Rosa is a good one..About 4 Euros @ Carrefours.. Cava!!!I could go on and on. You will love it. What takes you to Salamanca any how??? Good choice waht ever the reason. Obviously you don't need a "Mom"..How about an Abuela??

Pure curiosity takes me to Salamanca -- I've read much about it and have admired it as an ancient university city. I hitchhiked around Spain a bit in the 1960's but never made it that far north of Madrid. Your information is very helpful and just whets my appetite all the more. "Wander!" Sounds like great advice.

By the way, to repeat a question I just posted on another thread, what bus station in Madrid serves Salamanca? I'm trying to do a bit of pre-planning.

Sí, una abeula, ¿como no? ☺ ¡Pero yo mismo, soy abuelo!

Thanks for your input, amer_can.

The company has a website http://www.avanzabus.com/web/destinos-y-estaciones/rutas-mas-solicitadas/autobus-madrid-salamanca.html

I believe it is Estacion Sur which is also called Mendez Alvaro sometimes, I think, it is on that street and that is the metro stop where you go. It appears to be across the street from the metro stop on the map I saw.

Click on "como llegar" at the left on this link to see the map. http://www.estacionautobusesmadrid.com/

Salamanca is magical. I was fortunate to have a daughter on sabbatical there for the year 2011/12 studying
Spanish. Went to see her 2 times for a month each, fall and spring. Awe and wonder!!!We did some neat side trips..Sergovia, Avila, Alberca, Cuidad Rodegio, Battle of Salamanca locale, Burgos and again I could go on and on. I took the bus from the airport and the train from Charmartin. The Avanza web site will tell you where. It also is a stop on one of the routes of the Camino del Santiago..The ruta plata. If you are so inclined go to the Slamanca Camino hostal, get a passport and have it stamped as you travel around. You do not need to go in a strainght line and/or walk all the way. This part of my bucket list has been addressed. Maybe if I last long enough I will return.

Hiking the camino is on my bucket list -- I had not realized Salamanca was one of the points along the way. I'll definitely check out the hostal and see about a passport, and some day return for more of a hike.

What were the most interesting excursions (day trips) from Salamanca? I have been thinking of Segovia and Àvila; not sure of the others you mention.

Thanks!

Cristina, thanks for that advice and the link. Looks like Estación Sur will work.

There are several routes of Camino..Salamanca is on one of them. Avila ia a short bus ride away from Sala.(local bus not the one to Madrid). Alberca, I believe, needs a car, we had one rented in Sala.. Sergovia has an awesome viaduct that was in constant use until very recently. Burgos is on the train route to Santiago del Campostella or have a car. ,San Sebastion is another awesome destination but farther away in the Basque country. Oh there are so many places to see and experience!!! You will love any where you go in this rather "untouristy" part of Espania.

Haven't been to Avila, it didn't sounds as exciting as other possibilities in the guidebooks I used.

I just loved Segovia, it was my favorite. Beautiful town, small and walkable, interesting sites. I really like Toledo, also, although that is different direction so I guess not in your possibilities.

I am going to Salamanca in May for a Spanish school. I will spend one week in Salamanca and the next in Madrid. I will be staying in host homes, have a private instructor and will have free time to sightsee. Any advice for a single female (abuela) traveler would be appreciated. I know enough Spanish to get around. I absolutely love medieval architecture and "off-the-tourist-trails". I plan to study tour guides and this site thoroughly. I'm amazed that the taxi from Salamanca to Madrid is so reasonable. I get unnerved with European trains.

If you are coming into MAD by plane you can catch the bus (direct) to Salamanca right at the airport (Avantabus)..Senior discount (gold card cna be purchased at airport also) very comfortable,inexpensive and about 2 hours. I ,too am abuela,and had no trouble alone...Train must be from Charmatin and again easy, inex. and quick. I prefer the train as I can get up and walk around but have done both and the bus is by far the most convenient., Host family can meet you @ the bus station or train. you will love Salamanca..A wonderful slice of Spain.