The Madrid Chamartín train station is second biggest one in Madrid, and it’s one of the biggest stations in Spain, servicing over 25 million travelers per year.
The Chamartín train station is also known as or Madrid-Chamartín.
It offers regular services to destinations all over Spain (Albacete, Ávila, Badajoz, Jaen, León, Mérida, Salamanca, Segovia, Valladolid, Vitoria), plus the international line to Lisbon (Portugal).
Alternatively, you may be interested in reading about getting to Madrid by train.
Have a look at a complete tutorial about train travel in Spain where you can read all the information you need to organize your train journeys around the country.
Practical information on Madrid Chamartín train station
Madrid Chamartín station is located to the north of the city center, particularly far from the city center. It’s around 2km north of the heart of Madrid – the Puerta del Sol square. So taking a Cercanías or Metro train to/from the train station can be a big money saver compared to taking taxis.
The train station opens Monday to Sunday from 4:30 to 0:30 of the following day.
It’s the terminus station for one AVE high-speed train and several long distance ones. But it’s also the second most important Cercanías trains station hub, where all the lines connect. Additionally, Chamartín has a Metro station.
The left luggage (consigna) office is not housed in the main concourse at Chamartín, but in a separate building across the street. Use the exit from the main concourse which is opposite vías 16 and 17.
How to purchase your train tickets
The Renfe ticket office is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 20:00. It’s located at the main hall in front of the shops. However, you will be charged a fee for every transaction.
So you should buy your train tickets online.
To get your Cercanías train tickets, you can go to the Renfe ticket office. A much faster alternative is to use the vending machines located in the main concourse. Unfortunately, you cannot purchase them online.
Getting to/from Madrid Chamartín train station
The train station is also an intercambiador de transporte, or public transportation hub. It includes the Metro (subway), city buses, Cercanías trains, AVE high-speed trains and other long distance trains.
Metro
There is a Metro station inside the premises, Chamartín, accessing to lines 1 (light blue) and 10 (dark blue).
Unfortunately, there are no Metro direct routes from/to Barajas airport. Therefore if you have lots of luggage it might be preferable to use an alternative.
Bus
You can reach the station taking the 72 Madrid city bus.
Cercanías
Almost all Cercanías lines depart from or stop at Chamartín. These are C-1 (light blue), C-2 (dark green), C-3 (purple), C-4a (dark blue), C-4b (dark blue), C-7 (red), C-8 (grey), and C-10 (light green).
That is all except lines C-5 (yellow) and C-9 (orange).
Private transfer
You will be glad to book an exclusive ride from the train station to your accommodation.
It provides a much need comfort and rest after a long trip. Your driver will meet you at the main terminal and will walk you to an executive sedan. Your transfer will be safe and sound. On top of it, you can ask for an English speaking driver.
If you have a larger party, up to eight people, the transfer can be arranged in a luxury minivan.
Use a private car from Chamartín train station to central Madrid when you arrive to avoid waiting long lines at the bus and waste a precious time.
Alternatively, you can book a private car from your accommodation to Chamartín train station.
Car rental
If you are considering renting a car you’ll find a bunch of car rental offices at the Madrid Chamartín train station.
However, my favorite choice to get the best cheap car rental rates is to book your rental car from home before setting a foot in Madrid.
Taxi
The cabs are located in front of all the train station main entrances. You will have to pay a surcharge for travelling from the train station.
Madrid receives a lot of foreigners every year and taxi drivers know it. Taxis at Chamartín generally have a very bad reputation.
Please, make sure you know the exact address you are going to. Do some research in advance and spend some time in front of a map to get an idea of your route. If you can, provide some directions to the driver. At the end of the trip check the final fare and the change you receive!
I definitely don’t recommend taking a cab at Chamartín. Unless you are in a hurry or you have no other means of transport, avoid taking a taxi!
However, in other areas of the city, catching a taxi is fine. Here is some practical advice to avoid bad surprises using the Madrid taxi service.
Your own car
Chamartín train station is located in one of the main avenues of the city center so it’s pretty easy to find it.
There is only one car park located on the left side of the main building. The entrance is on Calle Agustín de Foxá. There always a lot of free spots.
How to go from Madrid Chamartín train station to Madrid Airport
Chamartín is very well connected with Barajas airport.
If you need to go from Chamartín to Barajas airport you have three options:
- You can take a Cercanías train on line C-1 (light blue). Despite this is a much faster option remember that the airport train station is located in Terminal 4 (T4). So if your flight departs from Terminal 1 or 2 (T1 or T2) you will need to catch the free shuttle bus connecting them to Terminal 4 (T4).
- You could also use the subway but, as I said before, you need to change lines (line 10 > line 8), so it’s not very handy if you are carrying lots of luggage.
- The most comfortable and reliable option to catch your flight on time is to book a private car.
For more information, have a look at how to exit the airport and how to get to the airport.
How to go from Madrid Chamartín train station to Atocha train station
Atocha is Madrid’ most important train station.
To get there from Chamartín, the easiest and fastest way is to catch a Cercanías train using lines C-1 (light blue), C-2 (dark green), C-3 (purple), C-4 (dark blue), C-7 (red) and C-10 (light green).
Alternatively, you can use the Metro as line 1 connects both train stations.
Obviously, you can also get there by bus catching line 72.
Or you can book a private car and enjoy a relaxed drive.