Madrid Airport (MAD) to Segovia: complete transport guide
Segovia is a UNESCO World Heritage town 90 km north-west of Madrid, famous for its Roman aqueduct, Alcázar castle and 12th-century cathedral. From Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport every option requires a transfer in central Madrid. Allow 90–120 minutes door-to-door.
How do the options compare?
| Option | Operator | Duration | Price | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cercanías C-1 to Chamartín + AVE Avant | Renfe Cercanías + AVE | 55–75 min | €15.60 | AVE Avant hourly |
| Cercanías C-1 to Chamartín + Sepulvedana bus | Renfe + La Sepulvedana | 2 h | €11.00 | Bus every 30 min |
| Direct metered taxi (motorway A-6 / AP-61) | Asociación Gremial del Auto-Taxi de Madrid | 75 min | €100–130 | On demand |
| Cabify / Uber / Bolt direct | Cabify, Uber, Bolt | 75 min | €75–95 | On demand via app |
| Rental car from airport | Hertz, Avis, Europcar, others | 75 min | €35–70/day + €9 tolls | 24/7 at terminal |
Cercanías C-1 to Chamartín + AVE Avant?
Cercanías C-1 from T4 to Chamartín (~12 min), then high-speed Avant or AVE train to Segovia-Guiomar (~30 min). Segovia-Guiomar station is 6 km from the historic centre — take urban bus 11 or 12, or a €10 taxi.
- Operator: Renfe Cercanías + AVE
- Duration: 55–75 min
- Price: €15.60
- Frequency: AVE Avant hourly
- Where to board: Terminal 4 Cercanías station
- Notes: Book the AVE Avant ticket online for €13 (€15 at counter). Combined Cercanías QR included if you bought through Renfe.
Source: Renfe AVE/Avant
Cercanías C-1 to Chamartín + Sepulvedana bus?
Cercanías to Chamartín, walk to the bus station, then La Sepulvedana coach to Segovia historic centre. Slower but drops you near the aqueduct.
- Operator: Renfe + La Sepulvedana
- Duration: 2 h
- Price: €11.00
- Frequency: Bus every 30 min
- Where to board: Terminal 4 Cercanías
- Notes: Useful if Avant trains are sold out (weekend) or you want to save €4.
Source: La Sepulvedana bus
Direct metered taxi (motorway A-6 / AP-61)?
Long-distance taxi using A-6 then AP-61 toll. Meter runs T2 (out-of-M30) rate plus motorway tolls. Most expensive option.
- Operator: Asociación Gremial del Auto-Taxi de Madrid
- Duration: 75 min
- Price: €100–130
- Frequency: On demand
- Where to board: Official rank at each terminal
- Notes: Confirm 'tarifa T2 + autopistas' before departure. Best only for groups of 4 with heavy luggage.
Source: Madrid City Council taxi rules
Cabify / Uber / Bolt direct?
Often €15–30 cheaper than the metered taxi. Specify Segovia exact address; some drivers will not accept long routes.
- Operator: Cabify, Uber, Bolt
- Duration: 75 min
- Price: €75–95
- Frequency: On demand via app
- Where to board: VTC zones (T1 floor 0, T4 floor –1)
- Notes: Surge prices kick in on summer weekend afternoons. Pre-book inside the app to secure a driver.
Rental car from airport?
For multi-day Segovia + Ávila + El Escorial trips, renting a car at MAD is usually cheaper than three separate transfers. A-6 toll-free route (longer) or AP-61 toll (faster).
- Operator: Hertz, Avis, Europcar, others
- Duration: 75 min
- Price: €35–70/day + €9 tolls
- Frequency: 24/7 at terminal
- Where to board: Rental car pavilion (free shuttle T1/T2/T3)
- Notes: AP-61 toll one-way is approximately €9. Free A-6/N-VI is 20 minutes longer but no toll.
When should you pick each option?
- Cercanías + AVE Avant: Fastest and most reliable; the textbook option.
- Cercanías + Sepulvedana bus: Cheapest scheduled; drops you near the aqueduct.
- Metered taxi: Only worth it for groups of 4 with very early/late arrivals.
- Cabify / Uber / Bolt: Cheaper than taxi but app supply for long routes can fail.
- Rental car: Best for multi-stop Castilla y León road trips.
What are the practical tips?
- Segovia-Guiomar station is NOT in the city centre — budget €10 taxi or 15-min bus ride to the aqueduct.
- Book AVE Avant tickets 1–2 weeks in advance for the €13 fare; last-minute prices jump to €18–22.
- Avoid Monday day trips — many Segovia monuments and tapas places close on Mondays.
- The cochinillo (suckling pig) is Segovia's signature dish; lunch slots at Mesón de Cándido book up by mid-morning on weekends.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the fastest way from Madrid Airport (MAD) to Segovia?
- The fastest option is Cercanías C-1 to Chamartín + AVE Avant (Renfe Cercanías + AVE) with a typical duration of 55–75 min.
- What is the cheapest way from Madrid Airport (MAD) to Segovia?
- The cheapest option is Cercanías C-1 to Chamartín + Sepulvedana bus (Renfe + La Sepulvedana) at approximately €11.00.
- Is there a direct train from Madrid Airport to Segovia?
- No. All trains require a change at Chamartín — Cercanías from the airport to Chamartín (12 min), then AVE Avant or regional bus.
- How long is the AVE Avant from Chamartín to Segovia?
- About 27–30 minutes to Segovia-Guiomar. Add 15–20 minutes to reach the historic centre by bus or taxi.
- Is the bus cheaper than the train to Segovia?
- Yes — La Sepulvedana bus is around €11 versus €13 AVE Avant. But the bus takes 75–90 minutes vs 30 minutes by train.
