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San Sebastian to Madrid

  • June 1, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 49 views
hellyplop
Keeps calm and carries on

Hi all, 

We’re travelling from San Sebastian to Madrid at the end of July - when I input SS to Madrid into the interrail seat reservation query, it takes me via Valladolid and on to Madrid-Chamartin - the first leg of which to Valladolid can be booked online, the second leg of which can’t be (says it has to be booked at a train station in Spain).

However, I realised that the first train to Valladolid actually terminates in Madrid-Principe Pio - so then if I specify Madrid Principe Pio in the search engine, I can get all the way to Madrid direct (on a very slow train!) and can book seat reservations for the whole journey.

My question is - is there a reason why it didn’t just send me to Principe Pio in the first place? Can anyone recommend a better (faster) way to get between SS and Madrid, and if so, what’s the best way to book seat reservations if they can’t be done online? 

Thanks, 

‘Helen 

 

Best answer by eurocity101

Principe Pio isn’t one of the two main stations in Madrid. It is in fact only served by the “regional trains” from the north of Spain and some suburban trains. It may not be shown because you are way faster by changing on a high speed train or take one of the few direct high speed trains out of San Sebastian.

It’s best to check schedules on a reliable rail planner like bahn.de. Timetables are often published very late (sometimes less than a week in advance!) on that particular route.

Reservations for all trains in Spain can be made now on www.happyrail.com (1.50€ booking fee). If you’d like to take a high speed train for parts of your journey, you can also use raileurope.com with no added booking fee for them.

1 reply

E
Railly clever
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  • eurocity101
  • Railly clever
  • Answer
  • June 1, 2025

Principe Pio isn’t one of the two main stations in Madrid. It is in fact only served by the “regional trains” from the north of Spain and some suburban trains. It may not be shown because you are way faster by changing on a high speed train or take one of the few direct high speed trains out of San Sebastian.

It’s best to check schedules on a reliable rail planner like bahn.de. Timetables are often published very late (sometimes less than a week in advance!) on that particular route.

Reservations for all trains in Spain can be made now on www.happyrail.com (1.50€ booking fee). If you’d like to take a high speed train for parts of your journey, you can also use raileurope.com with no added booking fee for them.

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