The weather is fine and we go to the station in a good temper. Already after arrival in Avila, we had asked at the station if there is a train from Avila to Toledo. The answer was positive. In addition, we have already gained a lot of experience with train rides in Spain but only with the high-speed trains of RENFE.
Arrived at the station we wanted to buy a ticket to Toledo. Unfortunately, the answer was: “There is none”. A little helpless we looked at each other and then asked the kind railway official again. In the end, we learned that we can only buy a ticket to Madrid. So we purchased this one.
We couldn’t find out the reason, so we can only guess. The regional railway and RENFE are different companies and there might be no cooperation.
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Then we sit on the train and enjoy the beautiful landscape. It quickly becomes clear that the landscape rises steeply. The train winds up the slopes of the Sierra de Gredos, that belongs to the Sistema Central.
The landscape gets more and more barren and partly releases the look on valleys cut deeply. Livestock breeding is common here. On the southern slopes are larger woodlands.
The route takes us from La Canada, Navalperal de Pinares, La Estacion and Zarzalejo to San Lorenzo de El Escorial, from where we are already familiar with the route to Madrid. After reaching the vertex, the train moves only slightly downwards. We reach the Meseta (highland of Kastilien) the central highlands.
Changing trains in Madrid
We hoped to go by train to Madrid Atocha, Madrid’s southern train station. But the final destination of our train is Madrid Chamartin, the northern train station of Madrid. So we have to go by metro. We think no problem, but …
When we have finally overcome the queue in front of a ticket machine we throw the money in and choose a ticket. But nothing happens! An employee of the station tries his luck to help us. Nothing happens again! Thus he must call an official with a key.
After another felt eternity he appears, opens the machine and picks up the money out of the machine. We start another try and this time it works. We go to Metro and drive to Atocha.
Again we try to buy a ticket to Toledo. But the machine accepts neither Visa nor Eurocard. So we have to go to the counter. But first, we must drag a number and wait until our number appears on the display.
From Madrid to Toledo
Finally, we have a ticket and sit in the high-speed train to Toledo. The journey leads through a flat area and takes only 20 min. After all, we can relax again. The journey through Madrid costs us 2.5 hours time.
Toledo railway station – Estación de Toledo
Upon arrival at the train station, we notice the station building in the Mudejar style. The station was built in 1919, according to plans by the architect D. Narciso Clavería y Palacios.
On occasion of the inauguration of the high-speed service to Madrid in 2005, it was restored. The lobby was once a royal waiting room. The station, classified as a monument, is a Property of Cultural Interest.
The station is about 2 km east of the city. From the station forecourt, you can go by bus to the city. Since we have a lot of luggage, we take a taxi to the hotel.
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