Barcelona to Salamanca: bus or train?
Oct 10th, 2012, 04:27 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Barcelona to Salamanca: bus or train?
We will be in Barcelona late next month and will need to get to Salamanca. The RENFE site shows one train daily, leaving 14.10 and arriving 22.51. I'm told the bus is faster and cheaper, but less comfortable. Does anyone have advice to offer about how much faster and cheaper, how to find schedules, whether it's best to buy tickets online in advance, etc.? Thanks for any help.
Oct 10th, 2012, 05:26 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are several train connections though there may only be one that is direct - easy to take the hourly or more AVE trains Barcelona to Madrid then change to trains to Salamanca. Can't see how buses can match the speeds of up to nearly 200 mph Barcelona-Madrid trains do - though the train to Salamanca is a slow train.
For lots on Spanish trains and buses I always spotlight these IMO superb sites - www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id30.html.
There is also an overnight train Barcelona to Madrid - save time and hotel cost and go onto Salamanca in the morning.
For lots on Spanish trains and buses I always spotlight these IMO superb sites - www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id30.html.
There is also an overnight train Barcelona to Madrid - save time and hotel cost and go onto Salamanca in the morning.
Oct 10th, 2012, 06:38 AM
#4
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
as you discovered RENFE is really rubbish at suggesting train options
Use bahn.com for routes through Madrid. Even though its the German railway site it's unbeatable for train schedules throughout Europe.
You won't be able to book tickets with bahn.com so it's back to RENFE for that
(or you could always fly!)
Use bahn.com for routes through Madrid. Even though its the German railway site it's unbeatable for train schedules throughout Europe.
You won't be able to book tickets with bahn.com so it's back to RENFE for that
(or you could always fly!)
Oct 10th, 2012, 06:46 AM
#5
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The fastest way time-wise (shortest en-route journey) would be going through Madrid. Sound advice above to take the AVE high-speed from Barcelona to Madrid. Then, I found bus travel Madrid-Salamanca to be a cinch, with frequent (hourly?) departures and involving a roughly two-hour journey with the bus company AutoRes, part of the Avanza group http://www.avanzabus.com/web/default.aspx, which I used on a few occasions in the past. The round trip fare is less than 20 euros, and choose an express bus for fastest route.
kanadajin
kanadajin
Oct 10th, 2012, 08:20 AM
#6
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As noted, the quickest way travel would be the AVE from Barcelona to Madrid, with the option of taking the train from Chamartin station to Salamanca or the bus. If you opt for the train, you'll have to catch the Cercanías (commuter train) from Atocha station to Chamartin.
Oct 10th, 2012, 12:50 PM
#8
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Two hours plus a little via train from
Chamartin is really nice. You can get up and move about. It isn't exactly a milk run but does have a few stops (3??) Loved it. The bus likewise is good..There are senior discounts and student discounts if you can qualify. check Avanza bus website. Discount cards can be purchsed at the train station..Paid 5 euros in April but they may have gone up. Saved about 25Euros all told for my 4 back and forth train trips to MAD from Salamanca. Salamanca is a special place. If you haven't been there you will love it and if you are returning good for you!!! Hit Calle Van Dyke for tapas and think of me!!
Chamartin is really nice. You can get up and move about. It isn't exactly a milk run but does have a few stops (3??) Loved it. The bus likewise is good..There are senior discounts and student discounts if you can qualify. check Avanza bus website. Discount cards can be purchsed at the train station..Paid 5 euros in April but they may have gone up. Saved about 25Euros all told for my 4 back and forth train trips to MAD from Salamanca. Salamanca is a special place. If you haven't been there you will love it and if you are returning good for you!!! Hit Calle Van Dyke for tapas and think of me!!
Oct 16th, 2012, 02:01 PM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What helpful information! So, one more question, if you'll indulge me: the AVE from Barcelona to Madrid seems best. Then from Madrid to Salamanca, if I go by bus, is it advisable to purchase the tickets in advance, or just wait until I'm in Madrid? If I go by train, I assume buying in advance from RENFE or raileurope-world.com is better. I'm in the US, and so I'm not sure how the bus tickets would get delivered - electronically?
Oct 17th, 2012, 03:39 AM
#10
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Knowing Spanish buses I don't think it's worth buying the ticket in advance - the walk up price won't be that more expensive (if at all, but have a look on the website quoted above), plus there are frequent buses so seats should be plentiful.
As for the train, bigger savings can be made if you book. And yes the ticket will be delivered by email, which you would print out - or there may be a ticket less option to your mobile phone
As for the train, bigger savings can be made if you book. And yes the ticket will be delivered by email, which you would print out - or there may be a ticket less option to your mobile phone
Oct 17th, 2012, 11:56 AM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
also me too like kanadajin - just buy bus tickets before boarding the bus - my understanding is that often they put extra buses on the route so they rarely sell out (not sure if this is still the case as it was several years ago at least).
Oct 28th, 2012, 12:03 PM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another question: can anyone tell me where the bus station in Madrid is located for buses going to Salamanca? I had thought it was the Estación Sur de Autobuses, but some guidebooks say those buses leave from Auto-Res or some other station. I'm trying to plot in advance how best to get from Atocha to the right bus station -- or perhaps just to Chamartín and catch the train. Thanks.
Oct 28th, 2012, 02:08 PM
#14
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One site is the airport..direct 2 hours give or take. Train from Charmartin is also resonable. If you are 55 you can get a gold card for discounts. Check Avanza website for bus, Renfre for train. If you have luggage I would suggest a cab.Less hassle, no questionable passengers or stress. Warch your luggage carefully as the baddies are very slick!!!
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Trailblazer
Europe
7
Mar 24th, 2011 03:57 PM
