Arriving in Ciudad Real
Arriving from Madrid Barajas
Upon your arrival at Madrid-Barajas Airport, the journey to Ciudad Real may be undertaken by train or by car.
By Car
Should you choose to drive, the journey typically takes approximately two and a half hours, depending on your arrival terminal. We recommend travelling via the A-4 motorway, which offers a stunning panoramic view of the La Mancha region and its expansive vineyard landscapes. It is worth noting that, in addition to its world-renowned Manchego cheese, La Mancha is the most prolific wine-producing region in Europe—a heritage we invite you to explore during your stay.
Click to enlarge map
Recommended driving route (A-4 / CM-42)
By Train
Traveling by train is the fastest and most recommended option.
Transfer to Atocha Station
Should you prefer to travel to Ciudad Real by train, you will first need to transfer from Madrid-Barajas Airport to the Madrid-Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes railway station (commonly referred to as Atocha).
Please be advised that some stations and lines may currently be undergoing maintenance. To ensure a seamless journey, we recommend consulting the official transport websites provided below to find the most efficient route for your arrival.
Getting to Atocha by Bus
We recommend taking the Airport Express Bus (Route 203), which is accessible from all airport terminals. For your convenience, the current timetable is available on the transport company's website linked below. Please note that a flat fare of €5 applies, which is currently payable in cash only upon boarding the bus.
Subway (“Metro”) / Train (“Cercanías”)
Use the following images as a guide for selecting the station names.
Getting the high-speed (“AVE”) train from Madrid to Ciudad Real
Compulsory Booking
You do need to book in advance your ticket from Madrid Puerta de Atocha to Ciudad Real on the website of RENFE: renfe.com. Otherwise, it may be difficult to travel.
We highly recommend registering on the RENFE website prior to booking your tickets; this will allow you to manage your booking and track your journey with ease.
Please note that Puerta de Atocha features two distinct boarding areas: Level 1 (serving the Mediterranean coast) and Level 0 (serving southern destinations). For your journey to Ciudad Real, please proceed to Level 0. We suggest having your travel documents and identification ready for the security screening process. Trains to Ciudad Real typically depart from Platforms 13 to 15.
Search guide on Renfe.com
Once in Ciudad Real to Get to the Hotel
Ciudad Real is a compact and remarkably safe city, where most destinations are easily accessible on foot. Consequently, you will likely find that your accommodation is within a pleasant 30-minute walk of the railway station. For instance, the walk from the station to the Exe Doña Carlota Hotel takes approximately 20 minutes.
Local Taxis
You may find further information on taxisciudadreal.es or by calling +34 926 21 30 40. For your reference, a journey from the station to the Exe Doña Carlota Hotel typically costs between €6 and €8, while a trip to Hotel Cumbria is approximately €10.
Local Buses
All the information about the bus lines can be found at:
Walk from station to hotel
Walking Routes
There is no great distance to the sights, if you prefer to walk you can use these Google Maps routes: