Getting There
Avila doesn't yet enjoy the same very fast train connections with Madrid as Segovia and Toledo do, though over 20 regional trains daily make the 1 1/4 to 2-hour trip. Depending on the schedule, trains depart from Chamartín and Atocha railway stations in Madrid. The 8:30am regional express train from Atocha, arriving in Avila at 9:53am, is a good choice, considering all there is to see. One-way tickets cost 6.50€ to 8.40€ ($9.60-$14). The Avila station is at Avenida José Antonio (tel. 90-224-02-02), less than 2km (about a mile) east of the Old City. You'll find taxis lined up in front of Avila's railway station and at the more central Plaza Santa Teresa. For taxi information, call tel. 92-025-09-00.
Buses take just an hour. La Sepulvedana (tel. 91-530-53-00; www.lasepulvedana.es) operates regular daily services from the Estación Sur (Mendez Álvaro). A one-way ticket from Madrid costs around 6.80€ ($8.50). In Avila, the bus terminal (tel. 92-025-65-05) is at the corner of Avenida Madrid and Avenida Portugal, northeast of the center of town.
To drive to Avila, exit Madrid from its northwest perimeter and head northwest on highway N-VI (A-6), toward La Coruña, eventually forking southwest to Avila. Driving time is around 1 1/2 hours.
Visitor Information
The tourist information office, Plaza Catedral 4 (tel. 92-021-13-87), is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 2pm and 5 to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm and 5 to 8pm.
