Where do you go to catch the bus for day trips to Toledo or Segovia ( from Madrid ) I forgot.

Assuming you mean from Madrid, they go from the Estacion Sur de Autobuses, which is some way down the road south of the Atocha train station.

Good question, El Boqueron. You beat me to it. Mr,Chitlin, are you coming from Madrid or some other location? Please remember this is an ALL SPAIN message board (not JUST Madrid) so city locators are especially important in your postings and subject lines. This will allow us to help you more effectively. Thanks!

Estación Sur de autobuses is the most important bus station of Madrid, but not the only one, located at Mendez Alvaro.

Buses to Toledo depart from this station and the line is held by Continental-Auto

http://www.continental-auto.es/

But there are also some other bus stations in Madrid, some owned by bus companies such as La Sepulvedana.

This company owns the line between Madrid and Segovia and it's station for this line is at Principe Pio (paseo de la Florida 11)

http://www.lasepulvedana.es/

I've been told that Continental-Auto is the best bus service to Toledo; am I reading correctly in that this service departs from Mendez Alvaro and only from there?

We just did daytrips to both Toledo and Segovia from Madrid.
For Segovia we used the La Sepulvedana bus from their station near the Principe Pio metro station. Take the Paseo de Florida exit from the station. The bus depot is across the street from the Principe Pio station, a little north (I think) of the big intersection. It's a little hard to see since I didn't notice a sign outside and all the buses are inside, mostly on a lower than street level. The bus station in Segovia is much closer to the center than the rail station, so we were glad we took the bus. The bus to Segovia was a new deluxe version that was very comfortable. The return bus was older and not so great. The ride is very scenic over the Guaderrama mountains. Just before getting into the mountains watch for the huge cross on the left in the distance. It is at the Valle de los Caidos (Valley of the Fallen), Franco's gravesite and monument to those who fell in the Spanish Civil War.
We went to the Estacion Sur de Autobuses to get the Continental Auto bus for Toledo, but discovered when we arrived there that the bus drivers had just walked out on strike. We learned that after standing in line for about 20 minutes behind many others, mainly tourists. Most of the locals probably knew about the strike from the news media, but few tourists are current with local affairs. It would have been nice if the bus companies had made a general announcement or posted a sign at their ticket window indicating that there would be no buses that day. Stayed in Madrid that day, then took the train to Toledo from Atocha the next day which worked out very well. The train station in Toledo is a sight in itself - great Moorish architecture. From the station you can take the #5 or #6 bus to the Plaza Zocodover. If I remember, the fare was .70-.75 euros each way.
GG

Menendez Alvaro and Principe Pio sounds far and complicated to me. Are
these buses really better than the train that departs from Atocha station every
1 or two hours?

Regards,
Andrés

The main advantage of the train to Toledo over the bus is that they run more frecuently and it also leaves you nearer to the city centre than the train. Apart from that, there are no big differences in prices and times.

As for Segovia, I have a friend who is from there and lives in Madrid. He goes back to Segovia most of the weekends and he told me the bus is faster and more convenient than the train.

In any case, be aware of the current bus strike. Check out the news.

Recently returned from Madrid where I made a day trip to Toledo via the train from Atocha station. Took the metro directly to Atocha station. It was a piece of cake and I recommend taking the train. Once you exit the train in Toledo, follow the people and take the city bus (I believe it is #6) up the hill to Toledo and enjoy.

Good news. The bus strike is over.