After Camino: Santiago to Madrid. What are the Best options others have found to get there?

[John Hussey]

I wonder what is the best way to travel from Santiago to Madrid, after the Camino? I am finalizing the plans for my upcoming trip and this portion is still unresolved.

I suspect the bus would take about forever. By train there is a 9 hour train ride to Madrid, but one interesting ticket is the overnight trip and sleeping in a bed on the train, waking up in Madrid, assuming you get to sleep at all.

But what about lesser expensive air fares? Some years ago I once purchased a "cheap" Pilgrim's Special ticket with Iberia in Santiago, showing my Compostela, but the price was high & I am not convinced a discount was given at all. So, I doubt I'll do that again. Are there any other 'discount' air fare possibilities? I would like to buy it on the 'net before I left.

I briefly searched the forum thinking that this question must have been answered previously since many will have been confronted with the same question, but to no avail...

[grayland]

I recently purchased tickets Santiago-Madrid on Spanair. My date is 21 June 2012....but the deal was there.
One way was 27 Eur with a total of 50.46 Eur after the add ons.
You may want to haunt the Spanair site for a while to see if anything turns up for your dates.

[Covey]

Ryanair fly from Santiago to Madrid and I bought a ticket for €35 one way.

[John Hussey]

Ryanair fly from Santiago to Madrid and I bought a ticket for €35 one way.

Ryanair ticket Santiago-Madrid 11 December was 33 euros on the 'net just a few minutes ago.

Did your ticket include the aforementioned add-ons? I am not sure about the price I found.

Did you get this price at the counter on the day you left or did you purchase it on the 'net beforehand?

In case anyone else needs to know, the economical airline choices I found out of Santiago were:

SPANAIR AIR EUROPA IBERIA RYANAIR


A quick look site for out of Santiago fares:

http://www.amadeus.net/plnext/meb/Ho...EU&LANGUAGE=ES



But after the Ryanair 33 E fare I stopped looking!

[HuskyNerd]

I'm a definite believer in the overnight train from Santiago to Madrid, especially if you are planning to tour once you get into Madrid. The primary reason is that you then don't need a transfer from the airport to the center of town. Another reason is that you can get off at the Atocha station, which is right by the main museums, and a final reason is that you don't have to pay for overnight lodging -- just get onto the train in the late evening in Santiago and voila, there you are in time for breakfast in Madrid. A final reason (that's not as important for everyone, but should be) is that the trains are electric and you're putting less carbon into the atmosphere by riding on the vs. a jet. And for the same cost . . . . . to me it's unbeatable.

[Daisy]

Do you have to book your train ticket ahead of time, I'm not sure what day I'll be arriving in Santiago so I was just going decide once I got there. I am looking at taking the overnight train to Madrid.

[sean]

Hi Daisy,
I took Husky's advice and pre booked the train from Santiago to Madrid. It is best to pre book, as it books out very fast. Tickets are on sale for months in advance and the earlier you book, the cheaper the tickets. The web site is a bit iffy to work around and difficult, even with a native Spanish person helping me book. You also need special bank clearance details to allow you pay.
Nevertheless, I look forward to it, as I hacve never travelled this way before. Visions of 'Some like it hot'.
I set out this Friday for Salamanca and plan to start walking on Saturday.
Enjoy your Camino.

Regards,

Sean
Dublin

[HuskyNerd]

I wasn't aware this booked so far in advance. I rode this a year ago and bought my ticket the day before at the Santiago train station. An online booking alternative to the Renfe (Spanish train) site is www.raileurope.com. Perhaps that'll help you avoid the hassles Sean is reporting.

[Daisy]

HI SEAN
The problem is I'm not really sure when I will be leaving Santiago, all depends how well it goes. I wanted to have time in Santiago and if all goes well time to visit Madrid as well. I leave this Saturday and I will starting in SJPP, I can't wait.
Good luck to you.
Denise

[lmcgrath]

I've been trying to book two overnight tickets from Santiago to Madrid for July 3, but when I go to purchase, the trains are blocked. What does this mean? Should I keep trying or will I have to go earlier to catch my flight out on July 5? I wanted to spend one day in Madrid, but I really didn't want to cut out any more days from walking, particularly because I would like to walk to Finisterre. Is there an alternative station closer to Finisterre to get back to Madrid?
Thanks. Buen Camino!
Lisa

[HuskyNerd]

The day before and the day after are available, as you probably already know. Another station near Finisterre is A Coruna, which is about 100 km, but there is not a direct bus from Finisterre to A Coruna (at least that I'm aware of). You might consider flying from Santiago to Madrid -- it's generally fairly inexpensive. There's also a bus via Alsa -- www.alsa.es. Buen camino!

[lmcgrath]

Thanks, Sandy. I went ahead and booked the day before because I was a bit worried about getting back to Madrid for the flight back; now I'll spend some time looking at the stages and try to figure out a plan for my camino and two days in Madrid.
Thanks.
Lisa

[YogaWalk]

On the subject of trains from SdC to Madrid; I just spoke with Rail Europe agent after unsuccessfully trying to book a train in late July through Renfe. She said that that rail service only books 60 days out. The waiting is the hardest part.... My friend who is a travel agent confirmed (after the long wait on hold with Rail Europe) that the 60 day out is true. Hope this info is helpful!
Buen Camino!
Jennie