Transport outside of Salamanca

Previously I have already explained how to get around within Salamanca and in the outskirts. Now, I would also like to tell you how to travel between cities and how to get to the airport.

Coaches

The most often used means of transport in Spain are coaches. There are numerous different companies offering routes across the country.

Source

First of all, the closest international airport to Salamanca is Madrid-Barajas, a little bit more than 200 km away. So far, anytime I had to take the bus, I chose the company called Avanzabus. They have vehicles very comfortable for a long trip and there is free wifi aboard. However, the tickets are a little bit expensive – at least for me. They are between 15€ and 25€ per trip based on whether it’s an express bus and on the bus station it departs from. There are two departure locations: Madrid-Barajas Terminal 1 or the bus station Estación Sur in the centre of Madrid. You can purchase cheaper tickets if you get on the bus in the bus station in Madrid and you also have a much wider selection regarding departure time. It takes about 2, 5-3 hours to get to Salamanca from both places and the buses leave in every two hours. Make sure to buy your ticket in advance, otherwise places will be booked rapidly and you will have to wait hours at the airport. The buses departing from the airport Terminal 1 also have a stop at the Terminal 4, but afterwards, they go straight to Salamanca, which lets the newcomers relax during their trip without worrying where to get off. Additionally, you need to know that if you are already living in Salamanca and studying at the university or one of the official language schools, you can buy a card called SCE card right next to the Tourism Office at the Plaza Mayor that allows you to purchase Avanazabus bus tickets on a lower price and you can also avoid the handling charge of 2. 60€, which you have to pay when buying through the internet. It is important to know that this card is personal and not transferable, but it gives you discount in various other places and services. (In the office, you get an information sheet containing all the necessary details. )

[Bus station in Salamanca]

Avanazabus has 17 different routes from Madrid-Barajas, including such cities as Ávila, Caceres, Zamora, Valencia and Lisboa. However, from the bus station in the centre of Madrid, you can basically get anywhere where you want in Spain.

For further information, visit www.avanzabus.com.

For further information on the SCE card, visit www.espanolensalamanca.com.

There are other coach companies as well, for example ALSA, however I cannot provide detailed information about them, because until now, I have only used Avanazabus.

Train

Another opportunity to travel throughout Spain is by train. If you want to get to Salamanca, you need to find Estación de Charmantín, which is the station in Madrid the train departs from, or you can also get on at any other stop in Madrid. Similarly to going by bus, the whole trip takes a little bit less than three hours. The prices, however, are a little bit cheaper: they are around 20€. From Salamanca to Madrid, you need to get on at the Estación de Tren de Salamanca, located at Paseo de la Estación, 37004.

For further information, visit: www.renfe.com.

BlaBlaCar

The last option you have is to use BlaBlaCar, which is an online platform to find drivers whose plan is to reach the same destination as you and who are willing to share their car in order to pay less for the gas. Or you can also publish your own advert and find your own fellow travelers. Of course, this way of transport requires precautions as you can never know whose car you will get into, but this problem can be solved by looking at the reviews of the drivers and fellow travelers that help you to prevent getting in to any trouble.

I have never used BlaBlaCar, but I think, sooner or later it will happen eventually, as it is definitely the cheapest way to travel around the country.

The website of BlaBlaCar can be reached through the following link: www.blablacar.es.

[On the road]

I hope I could help to find your best way to get to Salamanca.

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