Getting to San Seb from Madrid

Old Apr 15th, 2014, 07:42 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Getting to San Seb from Madrid

Hi all,

My cousin and I are arriving in Madrid on May 1 (international flight, Emirates flight) at 1:45pm and need to get to San Sebastian that same day.

1. What would you recommend we take? Bus or train?
2. What are the websites where I can see the train and bus schedules, and buy tickets?


Thank you very much!!

katrina
katsby is offline  
Old Apr 15th, 2014, 08:25 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There are buses for about 30E and trains from about 60E..Google and pick your choice.(Train might be more comfortable as you can get up and wander around. You can even get transportation from the airport to SS. 5/6 hours..Look for the sites that interest you! On the bus takre water and snacks. Trains should have snack bars..
amer_can is offline  
Old Apr 15th, 2014, 08:32 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Train - www.renfe.com
Bus - www.alsa.es
WomBatt is offline  
Old Apr 15th, 2014, 09:00 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bus: Movelia.es

Train: renfe.com renfe.es

You will have to take a train from Terminal 4 to the main train station. There you will catch the train to San Sebastian. Trains usually take about 5 to 5.5 hours. However, you must add another 45 minute of travel time from the airport.

Busses leave directly from the airport. The travel time is 5.5 to 6 hours.

Taking the train will probably cost ~15€ more per traveler.

I've never taken either. I have always driven this route. I have dropped friends off at the bus station in San Sebastian who were traveling to Madrid. They both said the trip was fine.
kerouackid is offline  
Old Apr 15th, 2014, 09:09 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Iberia has flights to SS ?
danon is online now  
Old Apr 15th, 2014, 05:36 PM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks all! I found a train from the Chamartin station. How far is that (via taxi?) in minutes? the train is at 4:10pm so am wondering if we can reach it, assuming we arrive 1:45 (international flight, so that means getting through immigrations, getting the bags, customs, etc).
katsby is offline  
Old Apr 15th, 2014, 06:35 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What you might do ,to save time, is purchase and print the train ticket.
Chamartin is in the north of the city...you should be able to make the train
You only have to go through passport control and pick up your bags, ther is no customs control unless
you have something to declare.
From terminal 4, the Cercania train stops at Chamartin...If I remember , it took about 10minutes.
danon is online now  
Old Apr 15th, 2014, 06:47 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It's about a 25-minute taxi ride from the airport. There is now a set price for the taxi, €30. The Emirates flight lands at T4, so allow a few minutes longer to reach Madrid Chamartin station.

It takes at least 15 minutes after landing to reach the terminal, so depending on your passport, visa requirements and luggage situation (carry-on only), making the 16:10 train will be possible if there are no problems with your paperwork. They don't announce the track for the train until 20 minutes before departure and normally keep the gate open until the last minute.
Robert2533 is offline  
Old Apr 15th, 2014, 07:00 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't understand, if you are flying into T4 on Emirates, why not have your travel agent add the Madrid-San Sebastian flight. It's possible even if Emirates is not part of One World. Of course this doesn't work if you booked the flight online and not through an agent.
Robert2533 is offline  
Old Apr 15th, 2014, 08:24 PM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm not sure what terminal I'm landing in, so unsure if I'm in T4. But if Robert2533 is sure we're landing in T4, then that makes catching a train to Chamartin much easier!

danon- Yes, planning on buying the ticket (Madrid -SS) now and printing, and we'll have nothing to declare. So there is a train from terminal 4 of the airport straight to Chamartin? And this takes only 10 minutes? So if we're arriving in T4 (as Robert2533 said), we should be able to take this Cercania train easily? Can i buy this train ticket online as well? Should I buy it online?

Robert2533 - You would recommend I take the taxi (25 minutes) from the airport to Chamartin, than take the train danon cited (which danon said is a 10 min train ride)? There will be no problems with paperwork (never had any before, and all my papers are in order), but we will have checked-in luggage, so will have to wait for that to come out. I'll ask my agent re Madrid-San Seb flight. Never occurred to me that Emirates flies to San Seb. Thanks for that tip! Hope the schedule works out though.

Again, thanks so much for taking the time out to answer. I'm kinda stressed with this schedule.
katsby is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 05:24 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The cercania is a local commuter train, you buy tickets from the machine...follow the orange C sign.
it take 12 minute and cost about5 euros.
Not sure if you can buy it on line.


http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/cercanias/madrid/
danon is online now  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 06:34 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The circadian operates from T4 every 30min, so the timing might not work.
Taxi is the safest.
danon is online now  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 07:57 AM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks danon!

I've already bought the train tickets for the 4:05pm, so wish me luck!!
katsby is offline  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 10:01 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think you will be o.k.
taxi airport surcharge is added to fare ( 5-6 euros),it is not a rip-off. tell taxi driver to take you to Chamartin Renfe.
danon is online now  
Old Apr 16th, 2014, 10:21 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Taxi rates are now set at €30 to or from the airport, no surcharge. It's a bargain from T4, but more expensive from T1.

You will have to pay a surcharge when dropped off at the train station, so have them drop you off at the Hotel Tryp Madrid Chamartin and walk to the station from there. It's only a couple of minutes, if you have the time.
Robert2533 is offline  
Old Apr 17th, 2014, 05:54 PM
  #16  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
thanks danon and Robert 2533!! Such helpful tips!
katsby is offline  
Old Apr 17th, 2014, 09:17 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Robert,
when did they change to flat rate of 30 euros?
We seldom paid that much even with the surcharge.
danon is online now  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tessietoes
Europe
40
Apr 10th, 2015 07:26 PM
cczny
Europe
7
Sep 21st, 2010 07:38 AM
Redlandsneen
Europe
4
Oct 10th, 2009 01:20 PM
wherehk
Europe
5
May 29th, 2003 06:34 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -