Day trips from Madrid
 

I will be in Madrid for 4 or 5 days (not consecutive)

This is what I have so far:
2 days in Madrid
1 day in Toledo
1 day in Segovia
1 day Avila & El Escorial

Is it better to do Avila & El Escorial together or Segovia & El Escorial or Segovia and Avila?

If I have only 4 days then I was thinking:
2 days in Madrid
1 day in Toledo
1 day in Segovia & Avila using a touring company.

Does this seem reasonable?

Can anyone recommend cheap day tours from Madrid to Segovia and Avila?

Thanks

topping for oceania

Have you taken a look at Maribel's Guide to Madrid? She has a number of great recommendations and useful information on planning your stay.

http://maribelsguides.com

Either plan seems(a) reasonable and (b) doable.

I was just there in July and did everything on your list except El Escorial. The others are all wonderful. I had a lot more time than you but given your time your plan looks good. Avila has incredible walls surrounding the whole town, but other than that it had a lot less of interest than Segovia or Toledo so I guess, even despite the walls, I'd advise just doing Toledo and Segovia if you only have two day trip days. I spent three in each of them and wouldn't have wanted less so I wouldn't suggest cutting Segovia in half to get in Avila. Buses are pretty convenient, but between Segovia and Avila there are only a few a day so you'd have to get lucky to make the time work. You definitly want to take the BUS to Segovia (and Avila if you go)from Madrid as the bus station in Segovia is five minutes from the center of things and the bus trip is faster than the train (train station is at least a half hour walk, and I did not see taxis waiting around). For Toledo the train from Madrid is a fast half hour trip. I got a taxi from that train station to the town center, but there are frequent city buses that leave from across the street.

Thank you to all! This was very helpful.

If I only have 4 days then I will just to visit Segovia & Toledo. If I have an extra day then I will visit Avila & El Escorial together.