Hi, Can anyone give me any tips on taking the train in Madrid? My boyfriend and I plan to go tgo Barcelona (from Madrid) sometime during out 9 day trip there...
Would we want to do a daytrip to Barcelona or should we stay overnight at another hostal?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Posts: 7 | Location: Los Altos, California USA | Registered: 05 February 2003
Please realize that Barcelona is ***7 HOURS*** away from Madrid by train, so it is definitely not a day trip. Anyway, it's worth way more than a day to see. You DON'T want to spend your whole trip on the train!
If I were you, I'd pass on seeing Barcelona (this time) and concentrate on seeing some of the cities closer to Madrid (if indeed you are mostly visiting the central area of Spain). For example, it takes less than half the time to get to any of the following as it takes to get to Barcelona:
Less than two hours: Avila, Segovia, Toledo, and El Escorial. Less than three hours: Cordoba, Sevilla, and Salamanca. Three and a half hours: Burgos
"An honest man is always a child" - Socrates ...no wonder I'm so immature!
Barcelona is NEVER a day trip from Madrid and is well worth a week's stay (or more) alone but if you are short on time, stay at least 3 days.
I would also agree with Paul that if you only have 9 days and are flying into and out of Madrid, Barcelona should be skipped, unless Madrid and Barcelona are the only 2 cities you do on this trip. It really only makes sense to do both Madrid and Barcelona on a 9 day trip if you are flying into one of the cities and out of the other.
Don't worry, you WILL be back
Comprehensive rail travel info can be found at www.renfe.es . English version of that Madrid - Barcelona ride can be seen HERE
Let me add that the Renfe train is a good way to go. It is easy, there is a conveninent schedule so you don't have to wait too long, and they are convenient to the airports. They are not exactly high-speed, so give yourself plenty of time if you are traveling between BCN and Madrid like these guys say, but the trains are cheap and pleasant enough. And don't be tempted to pay extra for primera clase, it's not worth it, there's hardly any difference between that and steerage.
Thank you all for your replies...looks like we'll focus on Barcelona the following year! I appreciate the feedback...it's going to help me in planning.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Posts: 7 | Location: Los Altos, California USA | Registered: 05 February 2003
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- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
