Madrid to Salamanca by train

Despite its comparative proximity to Madrid, there is a choice of train services available when heading to beautiful Salamanca

Travel from Madrid to Salamanca by train on the slower but more frequent MD services and you will save when booking tickets last minute at the station; or book ahead to save money on the trains which use the high speed line for part of the journey,

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Routes

Option 1; taking the high speed trains

Journey Summary

Travel Time
1hr 41min
Frequency
Daily
Travel Information

Final Destination: Salamanca

These Avant/Alvia trains are faster than the alternative MD trains; and if you are booking in advance online, they're usually cheaper too.

So if the departure and arrival times suit and you won't be buying tickets last minute at the station; they become the logical choice for Madrid to Salamanca train journeys.

Unlike the MD trains, they spend the first two thirds of the journey travelling on a high speed line.

3 x trains per day

Tickets

Book early and save: Yes - if you take these Alvia trains.

If you're booking no more than a couple of days ahead, the discounted 'Promo' tickets for these Alvia trains can still be cheaper than tickets for the alternative slower MD trains.

Online bookings open: up to 6  months ahead of the travel date - depending on the time of year.

The online booking window can be shorter between late July and early October.

Seat Reservations:

Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for this journey.

Rail Pass Users:

Rail pass users can avoid the higher rail pass reservations fees payable on these Alvia trains, by targeting those slower for a journey from Madrid to Salamanca; though those MD trains still require a reservation.

The reservations are not available on the Eurail/Interrail reservation service for journeys within Spain.
The only option, other than booking them at a station in Spain, is to pre-reserve seats by calling Renfe phone sales: +34 91 232 03 20.

Pre-reserving a seat is possible up to 24 hours before a train's departure. You will receive a PNR code which you must use to pick up and pay for your reservation at a local station ticket office, making sure to show your Interrail Pass. You must collect your reservation within 72 hours. After this time the pre-reservation will expire.
Please note that a pre-reservation is not the same as a reservation. It only holds a seat for you for 72 hours.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Trainline *

Trainline Guide

Renfe *

Renfe Guide

Renfe is the national rail operator in Spain and it has recently simplified the range of tickets it sells for express and regional train journeys in Spain.
Which is convenient as there are big savings to be made if you book ahead online.

Option 2: taking the MD trains

Journey Summary

Travel Time
2hr 35min - 2hr 55min (approx)
Frequency
Daily
Travel Information

Final Destination: Salamanca

These trains also call at: Avila

These MD trains are more frequent than the alternative Alvia trains between Madrid and Salamanca.

However,
(1) they're slower because unlike those Alvia trains, they don't use the high speed line.
(2) and can be more expensive when buying tickets in advance,
so if their departure/arrival times suit, those Alvia trains can become the logical choice for this journey if you can book ahead.

Though if you will be buying tickets last minute at the station, or travelling with a rail pass, you can save money by taking these MD trains.

Mon Fri = 8 x trains per day
Saturday = 6 x trains
Sunday = 6 x trains

Tickets

Book early and save: No

Tickets aren't discounted for this journey, so you will pay the same price as the that charged online, if you book last minute at the station.

If you will be booking tickets last minute at the station, you'll save money by taking these trains.

Online bookings open: 2  months ahead of the travel date

However, in contrast to making the journey by these MD trains, tickets are discounted for those alternative, faster Alvia trains.

So if you're booking online just a couple of days ahead, you can usually save by taking the Alvia trains.

If you're new to booking tickets for train journeys in Spain, we recommend taking a look at our guide to Spanish train tickets - it should help you save time and money and confusion.

Seat Reservations:

Seats will automatically be assigned when booking tickets for a journey by these trains

Rail Pass Users:

Rail pass users can pay cheaper rail pass reservations fees by targeting these slower MD trains for a train journey from Madrid to Salamanca.

Where to book
Ticket Provider Approximate Cost
Trainline *

Trainline Guide

Renfe *

Renfe Guide

Renfe is the national rail operator in Spain and it has recently simplified the range of tickets it sells for express and regional train journeys in Spain.
Which is convenient as there are big savings to be made if you book ahead online.

On this journey

Journey Features

Not High Speed

Good to Know

Note that most of these MD trains from Madrid to Salamanca depart from Principe-Pio station and not from Chamartin station.

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