Help with Spain itinerary
 

My husband and I found great prices on tickets to Spain, so we are flying into and out of Madrid. I typically fly open jaw but couldn't get that to work out for these low prices. We are thinking of going straight to San Sebastian. Should we fly or drive? I believe it's a 4 1/2 hour drive, and I checked the flights into the nearest airport and they are less than $100. If it is a pretty drive with nice places to stop driving might be good. Also, If anyone has any cities they really loved that aren't usually in everyone's itineraries we would be interested. We have done most of the popular ones years ago. We mainly want to visit beautiful cities/towns, take long walks, eat good food, etc. Just take in the place more than see historical sites/museums. Thank you!

If you are thinking of going STRAIGHT to San Sebastian, then do NOT drive! Although many people are not aware of it, there is mounting evidence that driving with jet lag is just as dangerous -- to yourself and others -- as driving drunk, and nothing you can do will prevent the microsleeps (which you might not even notice) that are the apparent culprit. Seriously -- NOT a good idea, no matter your other constraints and no matter your prior experience! And please be patient with me if you think I’m being overly adamant, but I know too many people who have died or been seriously injured in accidents to which jet lag was a contributing factor, and I know too many people who will spend the rest of their lives dealing with the knowledge that they were responsible for accidents that resulted in multiple deaths, including those of children, all because they were too confident in their ability to drive safely with jet lag. The issue has become a bit of cause célèbre for me….

I wasn't enamored of San Sebastian, but many people adore it. You might find some useful information in my trip report:
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...-catalunya.cfm

Iberia has 6 direct flights from Madrid to San Sebastian. There is no need to go to the "nearest airport".
The high speed train Madrid - San Sebastian stops at Segovia, Valladolid and Burgos. All these towns are word a visit.

WORTH a visit, of course! Sorry for the missprint.

Thanks for the info. Kja, you are correct, and I appreciate your insight. That would be too risky, so we could spend a night or two in Madrid if we decide to drive. Neckervd, Iberia does have a lot of flights, but we land at 8am, and none of them fit our schedule or if they do are over $300 (instead of under $100), or take over 7 hours!!! If we chose the high speed train, does anyone know if the train station is near the airport? I'm sure I can google that.

The fastest train takes 5: 40 min , only a few a day...others take more time
check Renfe for schedule. The train station for SS is not far from the airport.

Madrid train station is rather far from Madrid Airport - taxis though would not take long can also go by metro but rather long way.

Consider taking trains along the route neckervd outlines and stop for night at some of those places - anyway for lots on trains and booking your own tickets - sometimes at sweet discounts -online check www.renfe.com; www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Yes driving at jet-lagged not a great idea - either take train or best R&R in Madrid at hotel near train station and take off the next day on high-speed train.

Or driving maybe pick up car at airport and head for a nearby town to stay the night.

..Madrid has TWO train stations!
Not all trains depart from
Atocha.

The train station is in central Madrid. I think there is an airport bus which is direct, takes about 30-45 minutes.
https://www.esmadrid.com/en/airport-express

You can also take light rail (line C1) to Atocha but the station is at T4 so if you aren't at T4, you have to take some shuttle or something to get to it. Probably your call as to which is easier, that or the bus. I see no reason to go by taxi given those direct options which will be cheaper, but some people like taxis. Metro would be more complicated than the train or bus, I wouldn't take it, involves at least one transfer and I think costs even more than the train or bus.

https://www.tripsavvy.com/madrid-to-...astian-1643555



Madrid has TWO train station. Chamartin is close to the airport.

If there is a convenient and cheaper flight from Madrid to Bilbao , you might consider it.
There is a bus from Bilbao airport to SS....takes less than an hour to SS.

Madrid has TWO train station. Chamartin is close to the airport.>

And Chamartin is the best station for trains to San Sebastian not Atocha station - so if training after flight head there not Atocha.

Thanks for understanding my concern! :-)

"If anyone has any cities they really loved that aren't usually in everyone's itineraries"

I was surprised by how much I liked Pamplona (NOT for the festival).

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...with-pamplona/

Also, If anyone has any cities they really loved that aren't usually in everyone's itineraries we would be interested.>

Burgos delighted us as a stop before San Sebastian - unique architecture it seemed and some famous monastery where they brewed up some potent liqueur:

https://www.google.com/search?q=burg...hrome&ie=UTF-8

A neat day trip from San Sebastian we took was to take the narrow-gauge commuter Eusko Train (not a RENFE train but like a metro) that went thru numerous Basque villages - sometimes trundling right down the streets of towns. Ends at Hendaye, France train station for a taste of France!

http://www.euskotren.eus/es/presentacioneuskotren