The first option (and very often the most economical) is to fly to Madrid and proceed to
Garabandal using ground transportation.
Madrid-Barajas international airport (airport code: MAD) lies
a few miles Northeast of the capital and offers numerous airline and direct flight options from
gateway cities worldwide.
The list below is by no means all-inclusive but lists a few of the main carriers:
Iberia
Iberia is the national airline of Spain and flies from Madrid to some 70 destinations
worldwide. Iberia generally offers competitive fares and therefore is often a good starting
point.
The following two online travel agencies are very dependable and may be useful in booking your trip.
The airport code for your destination, Madrid, is MAD.
Microsoft Expedia
Travelocity.com
Once in Madrid there are a couple of options available to you.
Rent a car
If three or more are travelling then renting a car is usually an economical option. The journey from Madrid
typically takes 4 - 5 hours by car without stops. Rental rates typically range from as little as $35 US* / day for
a compact car with a standard transmission to $50-60 US* / day for a family-size car with an automatic transmission
and air-conditioning. Gasoline will usually cost about $35 - $40 US* for the trip each way.
The roads in Spain have been much improved in recent years and about 75% of trip is now on a highway.
Nevertheless it should be noted that the last 35 miles (56 kilometers) or so are on narrow, winding mountain roads that
demand caution and driving skill.
Some directions and maps are available here.
You would also be well advised to purchase a detailed road-map of Spain prior to departure. One that we have
found quite helpful is the Euro Travel Atlas of Spain and Portugal by American Map. This book is
available at most bookstores including online from Amazon.com for $15.16 US. Click here to purchase from Amazon.
Most major car rental agencies operate out of Madrid including Hertz, Avis, and Europcar (affiliated with Alamo in
the US). Cars may be rented with a valid License from your native country and a credit card. Whenever possible it is
a good idea to reserve your car ahead of time and confirm the availability of the car you are requesting.
This is particularly true if you wish to rent a vehicle with an automatic transmission, a luxury car or a van.
Bus Service
There is regular bus service between Madrid and the town of Cabezon de la Sal which is
about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Garabandal. The bus fare
is usually less than $10* each way however once in Cabezon you will need to either hire a taxi to
Garabandal for about $40* each way or rent a car. Taxis are usually not hard to find
at the bus stop in Cabezon. Information on transferring to the bus station and
bus tickets are available from English speaking representatives through the information desk at Madrid airport.
If you can read Spanish, bus schedules and tickets may be viewed and purchased online
from ALSA one of Spain's largest bus companies.
Connecting Flight to Santander
Connecting flights to the city of Santander (less than a one hour drive from Garabandal) are another option.
To find out more Click Here.
* Please note that all prices listed in US Dollars are rough estimates only using the currency exchange rate available at the
time of publishing. Currency exchange rates fluctuate constantly and, as a result, the actual prices in US Dollars may
be more or less than those quoted here. Please be sure to verify the actual exchange rate and prices before traveling.
See a Map
Getting to San Sebastian de Garabandal: Homepage
