Help with bus from Madrid to Salamanca
May 6th, 2006, 04:49 AM
#1
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Help with bus from Madrid to Salamanca
I am mostly able to figure out the website for auto-res, and can find schedules, fares, etc. But because I'm not sure how soon we can get to the station from the airport (by taxi I presume) I didn't want to prebook a specific bus (they leave every hour). Meanwhile I am unable to match up what Madrid station the bus to Salamanca leaves from. Someone before told me that it is from the Estacion de Conde de Casal. This would be great because the office where we pick up our Madrid apartment keys when we come back is right there. But how do I confirm that? I don't want the taxi to take me there and find out that's not where the bus leaves from.
Or that the Madrid-Salamanca schedule (leaves on the hour and takes one and half hours) is based on that station.
Or that the Madrid-Salamanca schedule (leaves on the hour and takes one and half hours) is based on that station.
May 6th, 2006, 05:24 AM
#2
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OK. Never mind. I tried to email my question to the bus company but somehow didn't expect an answer or even if I'd understand it if I got one, but in 20 minutes I had received a reply in perfect English that says a reservation is suggested by not obligatory and that the bus for Salamanca does depart from Conde de Casal, so I guess I'm all set. Thanks, anyway.
Mark one up for the Spaniards who run the bus services -- I never get answers from emails to Trenitalia or SNCF.
Mark one up for the Spaniards who run the bus services -- I never get answers from emails to Trenitalia or SNCF.
May 6th, 2006, 05:37 AM
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I took the auto-res bus from Madrid to Salamanca a couple of years ago, arriving by taxi from the airport. I arrived just as a bus was preparing to leave, but managed to buy my ticket and hop on in time.
The bus was fairly plush, and showed a video of some sort en route, either a short movie or a soap opera (I wasn't paying attention, as the Rumanian woman across the aisle was chatting me up in broken French).
The bus station in Salamanca is in the least scenic part of town, but given that the entire town is pretty darn scenic that's not much of a complaint.
The bus was fairly plush, and showed a video of some sort en route, either a short movie or a soap opera (I wasn't paying attention, as the Rumanian woman across the aisle was chatting me up in broken French).
The bus station in Salamanca is in the least scenic part of town, but given that the entire town is pretty darn scenic that's not much of a complaint.
May 6th, 2006, 05:58 AM
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Thanks, Therese. After the flight from JFK to Madrid, I doubt if I'll care what's playing on the video! If all goes well, maybe we'll be in Salamanca by 11:30 AM (we arrive in Madrid at 7:10, so I'm not counting on catching the 9 AM bus, but the 10 AM one).
May 6th, 2006, 06:40 AM
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Hi NeoP! In October we took a taxi from MAD and then the bus to Salamanca. It is very comfortable and there will be a movie; on our trip it was an American movie dubbed in Spanish. The terrain is not particularly interesting on the way.
When do you leave? Have a great trip!
When do you leave? Have a great trip!
May 6th, 2006, 12:14 PM
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So why are you going to Salamanca? Language study perhaps? I remember some weeks in that delightful city years ago, with a group studying Spanish mysticism, Teresa of Avila and her confessor John of the Cross, and with travel related to these. Yes, upon arrival we also took a taxi to the bus station but returned to Madrid by train.
Best to you...ozarksbill
Best to you...ozarksbill
May 6th, 2006, 01:13 PM
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Why? Because Salamanca remains about the only "famous" or "major" city of Spain we've somehow missed, and I've always wanted to go. A day trip from Madrid didn't seem fair to it, so we thought we'd stay two nights.
Language study? No, I already can say good day and thank you in Spanish -- that's about it. A little language study would be good though. LOL
Language study? No, I already can say good day and thank you in Spanish -- that's about it. A little language study would be good though. LOL
May 6th, 2006, 03:28 PM
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one suggestion at bus station.
the ticket office is "upstairs" and the buses are "downstairs" at a lower street level ( the station is built on a steep street).
If there are two of you, you can walk into the lower level waiting area directly from street, actually where the buses drive in ( although i will admit there is a sign saying pedestrians shouldn't/can't do that) but everyone does with big luggage, as managing it down the steps on inside is quite a feat.
if you have light luggage, you may want to both follow the rules and enter "upstairs",..be your own judge.
but with bags, i always go in and out of the wide vehicle entrance like most everyone else does.
then you can access the upstairs ticket office from the waiting room. the bus and its parking slot will be announced, and all buses have signs on them. when there is more than one bus, you will have a coach number also on your ticket, and on all buses, a reserved seat.
you will be travelling northwest so keep i mind where the sun will be if that may be a factor.
you can ask for seats on the side of bus you prefer, which in this case may not be important, but on some journeys it is VERY important.
the only problem with "reserving" tickets is if you miss your bus, you are out the money.
however, you can buy an OPEN return , to be closed before your departure from salamanca if you are not sure what time you want to come back. if you are returning on a sunday, avoid the afternoon with the heavy weekend traffic.
salamanca was my introduction to my spanish life.
i studied there, and lived with a family.
i am sure you will enjoy your stay!
p.s. if you have the option of an express bus or normal one on your return, take the express. they are more luxurious. on some of the routes ALL the buses are express quality. not sure about mad- salamanca.
the ticket office is "upstairs" and the buses are "downstairs" at a lower street level ( the station is built on a steep street).
If there are two of you, you can walk into the lower level waiting area directly from street, actually where the buses drive in ( although i will admit there is a sign saying pedestrians shouldn't/can't do that) but everyone does with big luggage, as managing it down the steps on inside is quite a feat.
if you have light luggage, you may want to both follow the rules and enter "upstairs",..be your own judge.
but with bags, i always go in and out of the wide vehicle entrance like most everyone else does.
then you can access the upstairs ticket office from the waiting room. the bus and its parking slot will be announced, and all buses have signs on them. when there is more than one bus, you will have a coach number also on your ticket, and on all buses, a reserved seat.
you will be travelling northwest so keep i mind where the sun will be if that may be a factor.
you can ask for seats on the side of bus you prefer, which in this case may not be important, but on some journeys it is VERY important.
the only problem with "reserving" tickets is if you miss your bus, you are out the money.
however, you can buy an OPEN return , to be closed before your departure from salamanca if you are not sure what time you want to come back. if you are returning on a sunday, avoid the afternoon with the heavy weekend traffic.
salamanca was my introduction to my spanish life.
i studied there, and lived with a family.
i am sure you will enjoy your stay!
p.s. if you have the option of an express bus or normal one on your return, take the express. they are more luxurious. on some of the routes ALL the buses are express quality. not sure about mad- salamanca.
May 6th, 2006, 04:47 PM
#10
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In Salamanca we had the most fabulous tapas (very reasonably priced too) at Taberna Galatea at C/ Prado 11. It was a gorgeous town--the Playa Mayor was one of the most beautiful and the modern art justraposed next to the classical setting was amazing.
May 6th, 2006, 05:29 PM
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thanks for the very specific information lincasanova. I already noticed that if you take a non express bus, the next express bus will always get there first, so yes that is a "no brainer". Good to know about the levels. Our return will be on a Saturday morning.
May 6th, 2006, 07:32 PM
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I'm glad that Lincasanova gave you the info about the 2 levels at the bus station. When my husband and I went to Salamanca by bus . the taxi cab driver dropped us at the lower level and he assured us that's were we should enter. Eventually I figured out that the tickets were sold upstairs and when I saw the stairs I was very happy the cab driver decided to drop us downstairs! I went upstairs to buy the tickets while hubby stayed with the suitcases.
Neopolitan,
Have a great time in Salamanca. It's a beautiful city and as Artlover says, especially the Plaza Mayor! Where are you staying?
Neopolitan,
Have a great time in Salamanca. It's a beautiful city and as Artlover says, especially the Plaza Mayor! Where are you staying?
Jun 10th, 2006, 12:13 PM
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