For a day trip from Madrid, you can take a Renfe Avant train to Toledo in a little over half an hour or travel by Alsa bus in 50 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.
The train leaves from Madrid Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes; bus departures are available from two Madrid stations, so check your ticket for the right boarding point.
- Train: Renfe Avant service from Madrid Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes; journey takes a little over half an hour.
- Bus: Alsa services take 50 minutes for the most direct journey, or up to 1 hour 30 minutes with more stops.
- Toledo station: The train station is at C/ Paseo de la Rosa, s/n; the bus station is at Avenida de Castilla La Mancha nº 33.
- Cathedral visit: Tourist-visit hours vary by day, with entry closing 30 minutes before closing.
Choosing between train and bus
The train is the quicker option, while the bus departs from more than one Madrid station. Compare journey time, boarding point and ticket conditions before choosing.
Train from Madrid to Toledo
Renfe operates Avant trains from Madrid Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes, and the journey takes a little over half an hour. The first train departs at 06:45. Ticket prices depend on the selected journey and available ticket; discounts are available for children, young people, seniors and large families.
The train arrives at Toledo station, at C/ Paseo de la Rosa, s/n, 45006 Toledo. Facilities include accessibility, a ticket office, self-service ticket machine, customer service, a taxi rank, car hire, toilets and food service.
Bus from Madrid to Toledo
Alsa’s most direct bus service takes 50 minutes; services with more stops can take up to 1 hour 30 minutes. Madrid boarding locations include Intercambiador Plaza Elíptica and Estación Sur, so confirm the departure point on your ticket.
Tickets start at €6.55, but fares and service information can change. Changing or cancelling a ticket depends on the fare purchased. Arrive at the bus station or stop 15 minutes before departure; you can present your ticket digitally or in print, along with the identification document used when buying it.
How do you get to the departure station from the hotel area?
The train departs from Atocha, while bus departures use two different Madrid stations. Toledo is 74 km from the hotel area around Hostal Mediterranea, a three-star hotel in Madrid.
For a train journey, head to Madrid Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes. For the bus, check whether your booking specifies Intercambiador Plaza Elíptica or Estación Sur.
Intercambiador Plaza Elíptica is at plaza Elíptica, s/n, 28002 Madrid. Metro lines 6 and 11 and urban bus lines 47, 55, 60, 81, 116, 155, 247, SE702, E1 and N17 connect there.
Estación Sur is at calle Méndez Álvaro 84, 28045 Madrid, with connections on Metro line 6 and Cercanías lines C1, C5 and C10. Travellers coming via Valdecarros can use the Madrid Metro guide for Valdecarros to understand the station connection.
Planning a day in Toledo
Toledo’s cathedral and Alcázar are among the city’s attractions, and Toledo is a UNESCO World Heritage city. If the cathedral is on your itinerary, check its visitor hours and admission conditions before setting out.
The cathedral’s tourist visit is accessed through Puerta Llana, Calle Cardenal Cisneros, 1, 45002 Toledo. You can buy tickets online or at the Cathedral Shop opposite the entrance. Visiting hours are Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:30 and Sunday from 14:00 to 18:30; entry closes 30 minutes before closing.
Reduced admission is €8 for eligible visitors aged 65 and over, people with disabilities up to 64%, large-family members, youth-card holders and students up to 18. Children aged 8–14 pay €6, and qualifying Toledo residents enter free. For time in the capital before or after your trip, a one-day route through central Madrid offers a separate city itinerary.
Return journeys and timing your visit
Check the return options for your chosen travel date before you plan the length of your visit. Alsa’s route page shows 83 daily services, a first bus at 06:00 and a last bus at 15:00; confirm these figures for your travel date.
The listed final departure is early enough that you should confirm it carefully before building a full day around the bus.
Toledo station hours are 06:00–22:30 on weekdays and 08:00–22:30 on weekends and public holidays; the weekday opening time is given as both 06:00 and 06:05. These are station hours, not departure times, so use the operator’s booking information to choose your actual return service.
Before you go: Train services, bus schedules, station hours, cathedral hours and fares can change. Check the official Renfe, Alsa and Toledo Cathedral sites before you go.
FAQs
How long is the train from Madrid to Toledo?
The journey takes a little over half an hour. Trains leave from Madrid Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes.
Where does the bus arrive in Toledo?
Toledo bus station is at Avenida de Castilla La Mancha nº 33, 45003 Toledo. Local bus lines 5, 12, 81, 82, 93 and B2 connect there.
Can you buy Toledo Cathedral tickets at the entrance?
Tickets are sold online or at the Cathedral Shop opposite the Puerta Llana entrance. Entry closes 30 minutes before the tourist visit’s closing time.