Ávila has the most beautiful walls of any place in Spain and is an essential stop if you visit central Spain. However, there is not much to do there, so trying to occupy an entire day in Avila would be difficult. With this in mind, we suggest visiting Ávila in one of the following ways:
- As a combined day trip to Ávila and Segovia from Madrid
- As a combined day trip to Ávila and Salamanca from Madrid
- As a stop en route from Madrid to Salamanca or Segovia
- Like a half day trip from Madrid, Salamanca or Segovia
Visit Ávila and Segovia as a combined trip from Madrid
The problem with visiting two cities in one day is that you need to find your logistics location. Making all your connections can make the whole trip more complicated than it’s worth, in which case a guided tour can be a perfect way to relieve the stress of connecting all the dots.
If you take this day trip yourself, you will want to do the trip as follows:
- Madrid to Avila by Train: Trains start early in the morning.
- Avila to Segovia by bus just after lunch: Book bus tickets .
- Segovia to Madrid in the afternoon: the last train is just after 10 at night.
Of course, you can also stay in Segovia. The city deserves more than half a day.
Visit Ávila and Salamanca as a combined day trip from Madrid
Again, squeezing both into the same day trip can be logistically difficult, which is why a guided tour is your best option here. In fact, we would not recommend doing this alone, as the train and bus from Salamanca to Madrid generally take around two and a half hours (although there is an infrequent 90 minute train).
To make this trip yourself, you must take the train in all cases, first traveling from Madrid to Avila, then to Salamanca and then, if possible, spending the night in Salamanca before returning to Madrid the next day. There are frequent trains for all routes.
Madrid to Ávila by train, bus and car
The train from Ávila to Madrid takes approximately 1h30 and costs about 10 euros. There are frequent trains throughout the day.
Trains from Madrid to Ávila leave from the Chamartin train station.
There are regular buses throughout the day between Madrid and Ávila. The trip lasts 1h30 and costs around 8 euros. The train is much more convenient and is priced similarly.
Book this bus at La Sepulvedana.
By car, the 111 km trip takes about 1h15. Take the A-6 AP-51 to travel from Madrid to Ávila by car. Please note that AP roads in Spain are toll roads.
However, if you are going from Segovia to Salamanca , which is an uncomfortable journey by public transport, you must first go from Madrid to Segovia and then go to Salamanca via Avila.
Ávila to Segovia by bus and car
There are several buses per day from Ávila to Segovia. The trip lasts one hour and costs a little more than six euros. Book your tickets with Avanzabus.
The 70 km trip from Ávila to Segovia takes about 45 minutes, via the AP-51. Note: this is a toll road.
There is no train from Ávila to Segovia.
Ávila to Salamanca by train, bus and car
The train from Ávila to Salamanca takes about an hour. There are trains throughout the day. You don’t need to book in advance unless you want to have all of these things in advance.
The bus takes an hour and a half and costs around 8 euros. You can book from Avanzabus.
The journey from Ávila to Salamanca takes about an hour, via the A-50.
