How to conveniently and quickly get from Madrid to Toledo

A small but charming town of Toledo is worth a visit for every tourist who comes to Spain. Here El Greco created his famous canvases, Cervantes often came here, therefore his famous Don Quixote comes from these places. It is better to enjoy the city where different cultures and religions are intertwined. In this article, we will show you how to get from Madrid to Toledo using different types of transport.

Briefly about all methods

Trains and buses run between Madrid and Toledo. Of course, you can order a taxi, rent a car or become a travel companion. The methods differ in travel time and cost, but in any case, you will not spend more than an hour on the road.

The fastest way to travel between these cities is by train, although train tickets are not cheap compared to travel documents for other modes of transport.

The cheapest option is a bus.

It is convenient to travel by car with a company or a large family. Transfer by taxi is a comfortable, but the most expensive way. However, in a car with a private driver, you can enjoy wonderful views along the road and even relax a bit.

By train

Madrid's main train station is called Madrid-Atocha. Comfortable AVANT trains run to Toledo from Madrid throughout the day. Railways in Spain connect almost all settlements. In addition, the work of all municipal transport is well coordinated in the country, so getting to the station is also not difficult.

Madrid-Atocha is located south of the center, close to the Botanical Gardens and the Prado. The waiting room is called one of the attractions. There is a palm greenhouse and a pond with turtles. You can get to the station by the Cercanías train (line 1).

Trains to Toledo run at one hour intervals. The first departs at 06.50, and the last one - at 21.50. You will spend only 33 minutes on the way.

The cost of a ticket for one adult passenger is 12.9 euros. It is convenient to purchase a travel document on the official website of the Spanish Railways.

On the Internet resource, you can view the schedule for several days, even weeks, and choose the appropriate date and time in a relaxed atmosphere, sitting at the computer. After payment, the ticket will be sent to your e-mail, you only need to print it out.

Of course, you can always buy a travel document at the railway station ticket office or at the ticket machine. It is advisable to check the availability on the website for the date and time you need before going to the station.

By bus

The journey by bus will take twice as long as by train. The first direct flight departs at 06.00, and the last one - at 00.00. During the day, two buses leave Madrid for Toledo every half hour.

When studying the schedule on the official website of the carrier, note that one of the buses travels non-stop, the other makes 8-11 stops. In this case, the travel time increases by half an hour and is already 1 hour 30 minutes. On the Internet resource you can see all the details of the trip: the time of departure and arrival, the exact number of stops.

The Madrid-Toledo ticket costs 5.47 euros. You can buy it at Madrid Bus Station, which is located at Plaza Eliptica Metro Station.

The bus station is underground, so it is literally combined with a metro station. To get to the station, you need to take the blue line, get to the Pacifico station, change there to the gray circle line number 6 and go to the terminal station.

The station has three levels. Leaving the carriage, you do not need to go higher, you should follow the signs "bus terminal". The ALSA ticket office and ticket machines are at the same level.

The ticket you purchase is valid throughout the day. It does not indicate the departure time or location.

Now you need to go up to the third floor, where you will find all the necessary information on the scoreboard: the departure number, from which exit the bus departs. You can also buy a travel document at the machine located directly at the boarding gate.

ALSA are popular buses in Spain. They are preferred not only by tourists, but also by locals.

Comfortable salons are equipped with everything necessary to make the trip not so tiring: soft chairs, toilet, Wi-Fi, air conditioning. The luggage compartment is quite spacious, so you can carry large suitcases and bags with you.

You can purchase travel documents in advance on the carrier's website. For example, the day before departure, tickets may no longer be available for sale on the Internet, then you will have to go to the station.

It is very easy to book a travel document:

1. You will see a special form on the main page. You just need to enter the starting and ending points of the trip, select the date and indicate the number of passengers (adults and children).
2. After clicking the search button, you will automatically be taken to the page for selecting the travel time for the specified date.
3. After choosing a flight, press the "Continue" button. Now you can view additional options: each of them is paid, so when you select one or more additional services, the ticket price will increase.
4. You still have to fill out a form with personal data, pay for tickets by credit card.
5. If everything went well, a letter with travel documents in PDF format will be sent to the mail, which will only have to be printed out.

The only negative is the commission for payment by credit card. Tickets can be purchased at the terminal without extra charges, but this method is only possible immediately before the trip and at the box office.

How to get there by car

You can get to Toledo on your own by renting a car. Traveling by car, you are not tied to the departure time of public transport.

From Madrid to Toledo you will need to take the A-42 motorway. Optimal route: Madrid - Leganes - Parla - Illescas - Olias del Rey.

The distance between Madrid and Toledo is 75 kilometers, so you will spend about an hour on the way. Considering the financial costs for gasoline and car rental, such a trip will be quite expensive, so it is more profitable to travel with a company or with a family.

The rental price usually includes unlimited mileage, local taxes, insurance, road tax, 24/7 road support.

Car rental prices start at 40 euros and may vary depending on the period and even the season.

Also, upon receipt of the car, you must leave a deposit in the amount of 550 to 700 euros on average. Funds are blocked on the credit card.

The 95th gasoline in Spain costs 1.32 euros. The approximate fuel consumption is 8l / 100 km, therefore, for 75 km you will need about 6 liters of gasoline, which will cost about 8 euros.

The diesel price is slightly lower - 1.22 euros. Only renting a car with a diesel engine is more expensive, so it makes sense if you are planning a large mileage. You can pick up a car at Economybookings.com and Rentalcars.

Note that rental companies have some requirements for their customers, the fulfillment of which determines whether they will issue a car or not. Drivers who are 21 years of age or older can rent a car in Spain. In addition, the customer must have at least 1 year of driving experience.

The speed limit on Spanish roads is practically the same as in other EU countries.

• you can drive around the city at a speed of 40 km / h, outside - 90 km / h;
• on the road, it is allowed to reach speeds of up to 100 km / h, on the highway - 130 km / h, on the autobahn - at least 60 km / h.

We also note the features of traffic rules that every driver who decides to drive around Spain should know:

• the driver and passengers must be wearing seat belts;
• children can only be transported in a special seat (rental companies issue them for a fee);
• you cannot use mobile communication while driving, even if you have a headset;
• the dipped beam can only be used in the tunnel.

Driving while intoxicated is subject to a fine, as well as for speeding and other traffic violations.

All data is given taking into account the changes that have occurred in the rules of the road in Spain in 2021, they are also relevant in 2018.

By taxi or traveling companion

Tourists who travel light and alone can use the services of the BlaBlaCar service. Drivers who travel to another city on their business put up proposals to take passengers with them, which partially compensate for the cost of the trip. You can travel by car in this way from Madrid to Toledo for only 6 euros.

Taxi is a convenient way of getting around if a tourist does not want to waste time looking for stations, buying tickets and depending on the schedule of public transport. Companies provide a car with a driver not only for trips around the city, but also between settlements of the country.

Foreign tourists can always order a transfer directly from the airport. In this case, at the entrance to the station, the client is met by a driver with a sign. The trip plan and cost are discussed when ordering, so there will be no unpleasant surprises.

On average, a trip from Madrid to Toledo will cost 120-150 euros. Note that traffic jams and other delays along the way through no fault of the passenger do not affect the cost.

There is another advantage that all taxis in Spain have - waiting for a client in case of a flight delay. Thus, the ordered transfer is a guarantee that you will reach your destination exactly. You can order a taxi on Kiwitaxi and Gettransfer services.

How to get from Madrid airport

If you are planning to travel to Toledo directly from Madrid airport, then you also have several options. There are rental companies at the air station, so it is easy to rent a car there, however, the cost of the service will be slightly more expensive compared to booking via the Internet. Of course, you can order a taxi transfer at the airport.

By public transport, you will have to get there with transfers. There are no direct trains or buses from the air station to Toledo.

You can take the metro (line 8, then 6) to the bus stop, from where the transport of the ALSA carrier departs, and get off at Plaza Eliptica station.

To the train station from the airport, take the C1 train or bus 203.

Finally

Madrid and Toledo are only 75 kilometers apart. Transport links are well established between settlements, so you can go from one city to another throughout the day. By train, the tourist will be in Toledo in half an hour. A bus or car will take an hour. In any case, the trip will not be tiresome, because public transport in Spain is quite comfortable.

Those who decide to go by car can make several stops and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.