Here's the itinerary two middle agers (couple) are contemplating:
Arrive Barajas T-4 7:40am 17 May. Taxi to Chamartin to catch train to Burgos at 13:30. Rent car there & drive to Bilbao for a few days then end up near Camprovin (near Logrono) for a week in a casa rurales and drink ourselves through La Rioja.
Then May 29 reverse trek and find transport to apartment in Madrid (not rented yet) until departing on June 10.
Questions:
1. Are there NO trains to Bilbao from Madrid? Nothing showing on RENFRE.
2. Is the T4 to Chamartin via Metro doable with wife and one roller bag each?
3. What transport would be available from Chamartin on return seeking apartment? Is Metro doable?

Many thanks all...

John & Ronee
Somewhat seasoned travelers.
Speak some Spanish.

Hi,
1.-Yes, there are trains to Bilbao from Madrid,looking at RENFE,Madrid-Chamartín to Bilbao-Abando
2.-yes,it's doable,line 8 airport-nuevos ministerios,then take line10 to Chamartín,!easy,fast and cheap 2€!
3.-Yes, of course

you got your answers ,the problem is RENFE site sometimes act funny ::) you need to have patient and it will show you the way.
the metro in Madrid is very easy to take.
Have a great trip

Just to make something clear , thay are still constructing the fast train tracks to Bilbao .. so at this moment it would be a long journey !! I´ve´v been to Bilbao maybe 3 times ( I love the city ) but we go by car .
There is a high speed ( AVE ) service being constructed . The problem is ETA who have vowed to bomb it . Thank goodness the Spanish and French police are so good at catching these guys .

Thanks everyone.

Elsewhere I read that travelers on the Metro from the airport to various locations have turnstyle/no elevator/no escalator issues with roller luggage. Is this the case:
a. Barajas to Nuevo Ministeries?
b. Barajas to Chamartin?

In checking the MAD to Bilbao train route I was looking for a direct. Now I see that it requires a transfer. It's quite a ride but seeing the countryside might be fun.

Getting off our flight at 7:40am (with luck)what would be your best guess getting through cstoms, baggage claim and travel time via Metro to Chamartin?

Thanks again...

travel time at METRO,airport- chamartín , around 45 minutes

Hello,
Can't answer any of your questions like the others have, but I used to know a John Kennedy and I think his wife's name is Ronee. Did you ever live in Illinois and work at SSU?

Elaine

yes i would said 45 min to Chamartin but 25-30 min to Nuevos Ministerios.the train ,the bus all are scenic and convenient even without the AVE train ,but I still prefer the car just grew up with it.

John, I replied privately. Just go to the info bar, after you have logged in, to 'My Stuff' and look at messages there.

Elaine

Regarding your question about "turnstyle/no elevator/no escalator issues with roller luggage", I have not seen these issues at the metro station for Barajas or Nuevos Ministerios. I cannot speak for Chamartin as it has been too long since I have been up there. The line from Barajas is modern and was purpose-built to accomodate tourists and their luggage arriving from international destinations. The stations and metro cars are different than the normal commuter train cars that are used on the other lines. I have never had any of the roller luggage problems. I think it would be relateively easy if that is all that you will be carrying.