John_Sam

I am going to Spain in August. I'm landing in Madrid, staying there a few days, then taking a tour through Andalucia for 4 days. I arrive back in Madrid at 7:30 pm. The coach will drop us off in "Central Madrid." I would like to go to Barcelona a few days after that. There is a train I found leaving at 9pm on the same day I leave from madrid for $64 (on raileurope.com). Do I have enough time to make make it to the train? How long ahead of time do you need to be at the train station? Also, would it be a better idea to buy the ticket on the day of the trip in case I won't be able to make it in time?

Aduchamp1

The trains to Barcelona leave from the (Puerta De) Atocha. Do you which station your train from the south arrives? It could be the same. The other major station is Chamartin. If a connection needs to be made it is about a 20 minute cab ride.

John_Sam

The tour is on bus not a train, so a bus will drop us off. I have no idea where the exact location is but the website i booked the tour with (viator) says that it will drop us off in central madrid at 7:30

John_Sam

The tour is on bus not a train, so a bus will drop us off. I have no idea where the exact location is but the website i booked the tour with (viator) says that it will drop us off in central madrid at 7:30

greg

The last minutes Renfe ticket is pretty expensive. The advance ticket is almost 60% off. If the 7:30 time is credible, you should be able to make it to Atocha from pretty much anywhere in Madrid to the 9pm train. If I was to do this, I would do Andalucia on my own and fly to Barcelona on Vueling from Sevilla, Granada, or Malaga. Likely to be much faster, bypasses Madrid, and depending on time, cheaper than the train.

lincasanova

I feel that it is impossible to know if the bus will find traffic on its way back to Madrid and be on time.

Also, what they call "Central Madrid" may not be near the station. You would be better off getting a discounted ticket for the next morning if they are available, and if there is no discount available anyway, just buy your ticket as a walk up paying full fare after the coach drops you off.

danon

Three are numerous trains a day from Madrid to Barcelona.
As Lin said, traffic may be a problem- it is is the rush hour, also you have to go through security at the train station.
Consider booking a later train.

aliced

I would pre-buy a Renfe ticket and take a high-speed train, that's 2 1/2 hours; you have to have it punched before travel, I'd allow 1/2 hour at station in Madrid at least as August is very busy.