Toledo is one of the most visited cities in Spain, and for good reason. Less than 75 km from Madrid, you can go from a modern capital to a medieval city with over two thousand years of history in under an hour. Walls, cathedrals, mosques and synagogues coexist in the same historic centre, and the cobbled streets seem frozen in time. It's the perfect destination for a day trip from Madrid, though those who manage to stay until the evening will find a completely different and even more beautiful city.
In this article you'll find everything you need to know to get to Toledo from Madrid, with practical information on train, bus and car, up-to-date prices and which option makes the most sense depending on your needs. If you're still planning what to do when you arrive, we have a complete itinerary with the 12 points we most recommend visiting in Toledo, in the right order to make the most of the day without rushing.
One important thing before choosing how to get there. Toledo's historic centre sits on a hill, and regardless of how you arrive, you'll disembark at the lower part of the city. This changes the calculation between options somewhat, and we explain more below.
Getting to Toledo by TRAIN
The fastest option and the one we most recommend. The Renfe Avant train departs from Puerta de Atocha station in Madrid and arrives in Toledo in 34 minutes, direct, with no stops. Trains run approximately every hour throughout the day.
Price
€13.90 the single ticket.
€11.10 per journey when buying a return ticket, which works out cheaper than buying a single.
If you're planning to come back the same day, always buy a return.
Tip
At weekends trains gets full quickly, especially those at the end of the day when everyone wants to get back to Madrid. Buy before you leave home.
Getting to Toledo by bus
The cheapest option. The company Alsa operates the route departing from Plaza Elíptica station in Madrid, with many departures throughout the day. The direct journey takes around 50 minutes, but if the bus makes stops it can take up to 1h30.
Price
From €7 per journey.
Timetables
First bus: 05:15 departing from Madrid
Last bus: 23:30 departing from Toledo
Please note
The Alsa bus ticket is not for a specific time, it's for the line. This means that on the return journey, especially at the end of the day, there may be a wait for the next available bus. If you want to guarantee a return time, the train is the safer option.
Getting to Toledo by CAR
Direct access and the journey takes between 50 minutes and 1h30 depending on the route and traffic.
There are two route options. The A-42 has no toll but more traffic, especially at weekends. The AP-41 is the toll road, faster and with less traffic. The toll costs around €7 per journey for a standard car, and is free between midnight and 6am.
Price
Fuel costs around €7 per journey, depending on the car.
One advantage of the car is the flexibility to visit the Mirador del Valle, which is outside the historic centre and harder to reach by public transport.
Parking warning
It is practically impossible to park inside the historic centre. The best option is to leave the car in the public car parks at the lower part of the city and walk up or take the free escalators to the centre.
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The escalators nobody expects to find
This is one of the things that surprises people most on their first visit to Toledo. The city has free escalators that go directly up to the historic centre. It sounds absurd to imagine escalators in a medieval city, but they work brilliantly and save a long, steep climb in the midday sun.
There are two sets of escalators. The most useful for those arriving by train or bus is the Escaleras de Safont, on Ronda del Granadal, a few minutes' walk from the stations. In under ten minutes you're at Plaza de Zocodover, the heart of the historic centre and the natural starting point for any visit. The second set, the Escaleras de Recaredo, is next to the car park of the same name and gives access to an area slightly further from the tourist centre, where there is also a tourist information point useful for picking up a map.
Escalator timetables
Safont: every day from 7am until midnight. Fridays and Saturdays until 2am.
Recaredo: Monday to Thursday from 7am to 11pm. Fridays from 7am to 2am. Saturdays from 8am to 2am. Sundays and bank holidays from 8am to 11pm.
Opening hours may be extended on special dates.
