Transfer Options

ISLA BUS

The ISLA transfer bus, like the public direct bus offers a direct service from Madrid airport to Salamanca. Its principal advantages are that it is usually staffed by an ISLA member and that families/an ISLA guide will pick up students from it.

Please note:
1) The bus leaves Terminal 1 on Sundays at 17.00. Plan for your flight to arrive by latest 15.30 to give you time to get your luggage and change Terminal if necessary. The bus cannot wait for late flights.

2) The return journey from Salamanca to Madrid departs Salamanca on Saturdays at 09.00, so don't book a flight back home for before 13.30.

3) In order for the Transfer to run, ISLA requires a minimum amount of confirmed participants. In the unlikely event of cancellation we will arrange your transfer on alternative transport .

On arrival you should go to the Coach parking lot. This is to the left of the general car park as you go out of Terminal 1. If you have arrived in Terminals 2 or 3, follow the signs to Terminal 1. If you have arrived at Terminal 4, catch the free green transfer bus to Terminal 1 (travelling time approx. 10 minutes) which leaves from the bus rank outside the terminal building, opposite the main doors every 5 minutes.
Travelling time from Madrid Airport to Salamanca is about 2 hours and 45 minutes. On arrival in Salamanca the bus will be met by the host families. Students living in self catering flats/apartments or residences should go directly to their accommodation on foot or by taxi (4-8 euros).

Public Transport by coach

Public Direct Bus Madrid Airport - Salamanca

This service is extremely convenient as it offers a direct service from the airport to Salamanca. It is available every day.

Avoiding the centre of Madrid is a good idea as both the metro getting there and the train and coach stations are full of thieves.  It also avoids the expense of a taxi if you can't face the metro.

They go every 2 hours from 13.00 till 21.00 but only on Mondays they go the first bus at 11.00. So if you miss one it is usually worth waiting it out at the airport for the next.

Note if you have pre bought your seat it is not refundable if you miss the bus for whatever reason.

On arrival at the coach station in Salamanca you should make your own way to your accommodation.

The duration of the journey from the airport to Salamanca coach station is 2 hours 45 minutes. Buses are quite plush and have Wireless (which tends to come and go a bit).

Timetables:

Madrid airport – Salamanca coach station: 

11.00 (only on Mondays), 13.00, 15.00, 17.00, 19.00, 21.00.

Salamanca coach station – Madrid airport:

7.00 (Monday to Saturday), 8.00 (Sundays), 9.00 (Monday to Saturday), 10.00 (Sundays), 11.00 (Monday to Saturday), 12.00 (Sundays), 14.00 (daily), 16.00 (daily).

Non Direct Public Bus , Madrid Coach Station - Salamanca

To get to the coach station:
1)  Take a taxi from the airport asking for the "Estación del Sur". The price for the taxi should be around 30 to 35 Euros and it takes about half an hour. Tell the driver that you need an official receipt ("necesito un recibo oficial perforado") so he is not tempted to be cheaty.

2)  Alternatively, take the metro from the airport to metro stop Méndez Alvaro. The price for the metro is 2 Euros and takes about 45 minutes. You have to change line at "Nuevos Ministerios"

3) If you're flying into Barajas Terminal 4 you might consider taking the new high speed train link to Chamartín train station (11 minutes) or the Central bus station in Méndez Alvaro (21 minutes). Don't forget though that you also have the option of transferring to Terminal 1 and taking the coach direct to Salamanca.

Timetables:
Madrid-Salamanca: 7.00 (not on Sundays), 8.00, 9.00, 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00, 16.00, 17.00,18.00,19.00,20.00,21.00,22.00, 23.00 (only Sundays). 

Salamanca-Madrid: 6.00 (not on Sundays), 7.00 (not on Sundays), 8.00, 9.00, 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00, 16.00, 17.00, 18.00, 19.00, 20.00, 21.00 (Fridays and Sundays), 21.30 (not on Fridays and Sundays), 22.00 (only Fridays and Sundays).

please note: ISLA can buy you tickets on all public coaches and trains from Madrid Salamanca. These cost 25 euros (return: 50 euros) for the express bus (2.5 hours) and 19.85 euros with the train (2.5 – 3.0 hours). You can select these options on the booking form. All tickets will be sent to you by pdf in advance of your journey. All you need to do is print them up.

You can select these options on the booking form and if you have any questions just contact Sara sara@academiaisla.com

You are advised to be extremely vigilant of your possessions at the Coach station and on the metro.

From Vallodolid to Salamanca by bus

Public Direct Bus, Valladolid Airport - Salamanca

Valladolid's airport is called Villanubla and is located 10 kms from the city and 120 kms from Salamanca. At just over 1,5 hours away this is an interesting alternative to Madrid's Barajas airport if you can find a flight that suits you.
Almost all the airport's international flights are operated by Ryanair (Milan, Paris, London-Stanstead, Brussels/Charleroi).

Timetables:

Valladolid Airport - Salamanca
From Monday - Saturday: 12.30 (Arrival 14.30) and 17.30 (Arrival 19.30); Sundays: 15.00 (Arrival: 17.10) and 17.30 (Arrival 19.30).

Salamanca - Valladolid Airport (Villanubla)
From Monday - Saturday: 09.00 (Arrival: 10.55) and 15.30 (Arrival: 17.25).
Sundays: 15.30 (Arrival 17.25)

Non Direct Public Bus Valladolid Airport - Valladolid Coach Station - Salamanca

If these times don't fit you can also go via Valladolid coach station. There is a shuttle service between the airport and the Coach station, every 90 minutes which costs 3 euros.

Valladolid Coach Station - Salamanca Coach Station
From Monday - Saturday: 8.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.30, 17.00, 18.00, 19.00 (only Fridays), 20.00, 22.00 (only Fridays)
Sundays:  11.00, 15.30, 18.00, 19.00, 20.00, 22.00.

Salamanca Coach Station - Valladolid Coach Station
Monday - Saturday: 6.30, 9.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.30, 16.00 (only Fridays), 18.00, 20.00, 22.00 (only Fridays)
Sundays:  9.00, 11.00, 15.30, 18.00, 20.00, 22.00.

please note: ISLA can buy you tickets on all public coaches and trains from Valladolid to Salamanca. These cost 9 euros with the bus and 8.55 euros with the train each way to Valladolid. You can select these options on the booking form. All tickets will be sent to you by pdf in advance of your journey. All you need to do is print them up.

You can select these options on the booking form and if you have any questions just contact Sara sara@academiaisla.com

Public Transport via Train

Train, Madrid Chamartín - Salamanca

If your flight times don't fit the direct coach services from the airport to Salamanca you may be deciding between taking the coach or the train from the centre of Madrid.

Why pick the train? The journey time is about the same but the train ride is more scenic. The train station is a little less expensive to get from the airport by taxi. But they are a lot less frequent than the coaches so you might be in for a bit of a wait at the train station and get stuck towards the end of the day.

To get to the train station either:
1) Take a taxi. Ask for "Estación de Chamartín" (Chamartín Train Station). The price for the taxi should be around 25-30 Euros and it takes about half an hour. Tell the driver that you need an official receipt ("necesito un recibo oficial
perforado") so he is not tempted to be cheaty.

2) Alternatively take the metro from the Airport (there are 2 metro stations, one for Terminal 4 and one for Terminals 1,2, and 3). Take line number 8 until "Nuevos Ministerios" and there change for line number 10 (Final station is Hospital Infanta Sofia) and the train station is the 4th stop (Chamartín). A metro ticket from the airport to Chamartín costs 2 Euros and it takes about 30 minutes.

3) If you're flying into Barajas Terminal 4 you might consider taking the new high speed train link to Chamartín train station (11 minutes) or the Central bus station in Méndez Alvaro (21 minutes). Don't forget though that you also have the option of transferring to Terminal 1 and taking the coach direct to Salamanca.

Train Departure Times

Madrid - Salamanca: Daily: 08.45, 11.14, 13.44, 15.45, 17.08,18.38, 20.06, 21.13
Salamanca-Madrid: Daily: 05.50, 07.53, 9.58, 12.30, 14.52, 15.41, 17.55, 19.59.

Journey time: about 2 hours 45 minutes

please note: ISLA can buy you tickets on all trains from Madrid. The train tickets cost 19.85 euros each way to Madrid. You can select these options on the booking form. All tickets will be sent to you by pdf in advance of your journey. All you need to do is print them up.

You can select these options on the booking form and if you have any questions just contact Sara sara@academiaisla.com

Individual Pick Up

From Madrid/Vallalodid Airport to your Accommodation

ISLA will arrange for you to be picked up from your arrival gate (or any other point of your choice), and brought straight to your accommodation.

The taxi-driver will be holding an ISLA-sign with your name on it. Similarly, you might wish to be driven to the airport or elsewhere at the end of your stay.

We require payment of cars to be effected in advance of the journey.