My husband and I will be in Madrid for 5 days in March and would like to take a day trip to these two cities. I have searched and found bus tours that go to both cities for approximately $85.00 per person. We are really not bus tour people and I am wondering how easy it would be to take the public bus to each place on our own in one day. Could we see both in one day? One of my joys of being on vacation is taking photographs and I worry that I will feel stifled with the bus tour and miss many photo opportunities. Would it be better to rent a car for a day and drive ourselves? I think a car would probably be cheaper than the tour. Any thoughts? Has anyone done this trip before either on the bus, or by themselves in a car? Thanks!

I think you'll be hard pressed to see both cities using public transportation in one day. However, it's very easy to visit both on separate days. I'd also suggest Toledo as another potential daytrip from Madrid. If you're not "bus tour" people I'd definately go the public tranportation route.

I would train to Segovia and spend all day, or get a car, overnite in Avila, and include Salamanca.

Thank you both for your advice

We took an early public bus to Segovia, stayed overnight taking a public bus in the morning to Avila. Spending a good part of the day there, we then took a bus back to Madrid. Seeing both the same day will be difficult and IMO not worthwhile. I agree with CathyM that Toledo is also a great destination but I suggest you overnight there as well as Toledo takes on a wholly different - and I believe more seductive character at night after the hordes of tourists leave.

We stayed in Segovia and Salamanca for several days last October. It is a great city, but we surprisingly liked Salamanca even better. The main square is wonderful and impressive there. bobthenavigator has given you good advice. While Avila and its wall was interesting, if I only had a short time I would recommend a day in Salamanca and another in Segovia.

I agree with packed. IMO, Salamanca and Segovia are a level above Avila. Regarding photos, this is Salamanca:

Plaza Mayor
http://www.absolutsalamanca.com/wp-c...aza-mayor2.jpg

San Esteban church
http://www.esacademic.com/pictures/e..._Salamanca.jpg

Casa de Las Conchas (House of Shells)
http://www.coprepa2006.es/imagenes/g...as_conchas.jpg

Well I hadn't even considered Salamanca, but looking at the photos, hmmmmmm. I have the typical travler's delimma, too many wonderful places to visit and not enough time. It looks like Segovia will be a definate place we will see, but I still have to figure out what to do about Toledo, Salamanca, and Avila. Please continue with your thoughts and advice, I truly value it!

All three cities have something to offer, but Avila less than the other two. However, I consider Salamanca to be a stretch for a day trip.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7622975757180/

I enjoyed Segovia, Avila, Toledo, and Salamanca. I found a day in Segovia about right and a half day - perhaps a bit more - right for Avila. I agree that Salamanca has too much to see as a day trip (I was happily occupied for 2 full days). I also found Toledo worth 2 days, and agree that it is particularly delightful after day-trippers leave. Enjoy!