tominrm

I have been in Madrid before, but this annoys me a little. There are several train stations in Madrid. When I try to find schedule or buy tickets to, say, Barcelona, I do not know which station the train departs from. As a result, I have to try different stations from Renfe site to see the schedule. Is there anyway to find which station the train departs so that I can look up quickly?

DebitNM

If you are looking to go to Barcelona, you want to depart from Atocha, which is the first Madrid listed on drop down list on renfe. It is listed as:
Madrid - Atocha Cercanias

If you are looking to get to other cities, try this link:
http://www.travelinginspain.com/madr...in_station.htm

PalenQ

High-speed trains I believe only serve Atocha the most in town station. Charmartin a bit out of the center used to be the most main station but now is not - still has lots of trains - other stations are either at the airport or commuter stations that may be closer to your hotel and feed in Atocha or Charmartin.

danon

just click on Madrid with *
next to it
No need to indicate the station

danon

on RENFE

Madrid (*)
Barcelona(*)

is the best way

tominrm

Actually I am trying to go to Irun from Madrid, but I can't seem to find trains. Renfe site says something to the effect that "no direct train". Can someone help me? There has to be trains between the two cities.

kimhe

From Madrid to San Sebastian/Donostia very close to Irun (about 5 hours), then to Irun-Hendaya in 20 mins on a cercanías/short distance line. All on Renfe. When in San Sebastian, you can also go by bus for 2€ or take a short taxi ride.

kimhe

... and the train to San Sebastian/Donostia leaves from Madrid-Chamartin.

tominrm

Thank you, all. I think I got it. Irun is a city smaller than I thought, so I have to go to San Sebastian and then go to Irun. When I click the city name in Renfe site, Irun/ Hendaya shows up. So I thought their schedule would show the transfer if required.
Kimhe, thank you for the info. The last time, I was going to Pamplona from Madrid, the train station was Achota (Puerta de). Then when I took a train from Santiago, I arrived at Chamartin. I wonder how one knows which station to go. Going fromThe airport to Achota station was convenient. The train is there at the airport. How one goes to Chamartin from the airport? Transfer?

Now I can go back to Renfe site and look up the schedule. Thank you all again.

danon

By metro, you have to change at Nuevos Ministerios stop.
From T4 , you can take Cercania to Chamartin.
Take a look at the metro map.
The bus goes to Atocha, don't know about Chamartin.

tominrm

Danon, thank you. I will look into it.
Normally metro is easier to use in any country.

lincasanova

Bus goes to Atocha.. then commuter ( cercanias) train to Chamartin.. or metro with changes from airport to begin with, as mentioned .

tominrm

I looked up Renfe train schedule and have a question. I think I know what Alvia is, a modern looking train. But the schedule shows trains with MDxxxx trains as well. These trains take longer to arrive (more stops along the way, I guess) but are more expensive in the tune of 50%! What are theses MDxxxx trains and why charge more (fares are not flexible either - just one price) ? The journey takes 7 hours vs 5 hours by Alvia, yet more expensive and slow. Costs 55 euro vs 33 Alvia. The only reason I am even looking at that schedule is the arrival time. It arrives at 8 pm and Alvia at 10pm. Being there for the first time, I prefer arrive a little early. Does anyone know why MDxxxx trains charge more? Any advantages of MD trains?

danon

MD is Media Distancia.....some travelers take it because they are going to
one of those many stops faster trains skip. Don't see any advantage in taking it if your destinations
is SS.

Robert2533

The train you want is the ALVIA, which ends its run at Irun-Hendaya, less then 6 hours travel time, depending on your departure time. No need to take the TOPO from Donostia-San Sebastián to Irun. The MDs make far too many stops on this route.

tominrm

Thank you all, that is what I needed to know.
I will take Alvia.

kimhe

Robert is right, of course. You can go from Madrid to Irun/Hendaya with the Alvia Train in less than 6 hours without having to stop in San Sebastian. Tomorrow, two of those trains leave from Madrid-Chamartin and one from Madrid-Atocha, so you should check on your dates on the Renfe site.

But you should of course visit fabulous San Sebastian when you're up there: http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/

tominrm

Kimhe,
Thank you, of course, I will visit San Sebastian.