When traveling through Spain on your European vacation, there are a number of options including train, bus and rental car service to take you between destinations, especially when trying to get from the capital of Madrid to other smaller cities such as historic Castilian. . city of Segovia.
Located just 90 kilometers northwest of Madrid, Segovia is a popular tourist destination in the capital city, rich in cultural heritage, attractions, and events.
The fastest and most popular way to access this city is via the cheap and efficient AVE high-speed train, but you can also rent a car, take a bus, or even book a guided tour to reach your destination.
The AVE train journey takes about 30 minutes to cover the 90 kilometers between Madrid and Segovia, while driving can take between one and two hours to complete, and even longer if you take a bus. Still, each of these types of public transportation provides its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so be sure to choose the right service to meet your needs before booking your trip.
Get to Segovia by train
There is an AVE high-speed train from Madrid to Segovia that takes about half an hour and costs around 12 euros, although some tickets cost more for no apparent reason even though the trip takes about the same amount of time.
Trains from Madrid to Segovia depart from Chamartin train station at least once an hour every day of the week and arrive in Segovia at Guiomar station, which is relatively far from the most popular tourist destinations.
To ensure you get the best deal on your purchase, be sure to book your train ticket at least two months in advance as prices start to rise closer to departure dates. Especially since it has now become the most popular means of travel between Madrid and Segovia, you’ll want to make sure you don’t pay a premium just because you waited to buy your tickets.
Get to Segovia by bus
Although the website that sells bus tickets for most of Spain used to get a bad rap for being prone to errors and full of errors, La Supulvedana updated its user interface to make it much easier and faster to navigate. Also, while bus services used to be the same price as train services, the bus fare is now cheaper, making a bus trip to Segovia a viable option if you don’t mind spending 30 minutes. and an additional hour in transit.
Buses also provide the opportunity to break up your trip and experience some smaller cities, especially if you are booking a guided tour. One such tour, which stops in Avila, a city whose UNESCO-protected walls are the most impressive in Spain, is a great way to see Segovia and make the most of your travel time. Tours like these are often cheaper than you might expect, and you can get a full list of the tours they offer by visiting Viator’s »Avila and Segovia Guided Tours».
There are also some excellent vineyards near Segovia that accept traveler tours by bus from Madrid. If you are a fan of fine dining, wine, and unique experiences, be sure to visit a wine tour like the Segovia Wine Tour from Madrid, which includes a cultural tour of Segovia and a three-course meal (with wine) and a VIP visit to a winery.
Get to Segovia by car
When it comes to driving yourself, or using one of the popular carpool apps like BlaBlaCar, the 90-kilometer trip from Madrid to Segovia takes about an hour if you follow the A-6 to the AP-61 motorway into the city, or a little more if you take the A-6 to the N-603. This route takes you to several smaller towns that are worth exploring (if you have time), including Hontoria, Los Angeles de San Rafael, Guadarrama, Alpedrete, Collado Villalba, Toerrelodones, and Las Rozas.
Alternatively, you can take the more winding and picturesque eastern route from M-607 to CL-601, which passes through Quitapesares, Real Sitio de San Ildefonso (home of the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso), ValsaÃn, Cerceda, Colmenar Viejo , Navacerrada and the picturesque Cuenca Alta Manzanares Regional Park.
Remember that you may need an international driver’s license to rent and drive a car in Spain, so be sure to check Spain’s car rental requirements and obtain this form of identification before setting off on your trip. Also, renting a car is by far the most expensive option, so if you just need to make a quick trip to Segovia from Madrid, maybe consider a bus or train.
Other ways to get to Segovia
Although there are no direct flights from Madrid to Segovia, there is a way to travel between the two cities by plane: a hot air balloon ride over Segovia. Fly over one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and get a real perspective on just how great famous attractions like the aqueduct and fairytale castle are.
With an optional Madrid hotel pickup, this is a great way to get to Segovia and see the city in a unique way. Alternatively, you can ask the tour company to drop you off in Segovia when the trip is over and take a train back to Madrid after your day in the city.
For more resources on Madrid and Segovia, try one of these »100 things to do in Madrid. No matter how you decide to get there, you’ll want to plan your trip to Spain before you go to make sure you make the most of your time in this European country.
