How to get here by public transport from Madrid:
1. Coach from Madrid Barajas Airport
Avanzabus run a direct express service from Barajas Terminals 1 and 4 to Salamanca. At Terminal 1 the coach leaves from a bus park across the the road and to the left of the Arrivals area. At Terminal 4, the coach leaves from a small, dedicated “bus station” to the right of the main terminal exit and across the road, beside the multi-story car parks. (To get to it, follow the signs to the first floor and cross the road via the pedestrian bridge. The bus usually stops for about 10 minutes after it has left T1.) As the timetable changes from time to time, we refer you to the website for up to date timetables and prices: www.avanzabus.com. Take care to ensure you have selected the “Madrid Aeropuerto” option and the Terminal you are using.
2. Coach From Centre of Madrid
There is also an express coach run by Avanzabus from Madrid city centre, which leaves from the ESTACION SUR Bus Station.
Take the Metro via the Circular Line (line 6) to “MENDEZ ALVÁRO”. The Estación de Autobuses is upstairs. Buy a ticket before getting on the bus, or order it online as above www.avanzabus.com. It is helpful to phone the college before leaving Madrid to let us know when you will be arriving. We are close to the bus station, so someone can meet you or give you directions to the college.
3. By Train to Salamanca
There are also train services from Madrid to Salamanca – usually takes longer than the bus service and when you arrive in Salamanca you will need to take a taxi to the college as the station is a good bit further away than the bus station. The trains leave from Chamartín train station (for the main intercity lines heading north from Madrid) or from Principe Pio in the city centre (near the Royal Palace) in Madrid, serving the slower “medium distance” routes. There is the option of a taxi or the Metro to reach these (Chamartín is on both Line 1 and Line 10; Principe Pio is on Line 10 and Line 6).
Getting Here By Road From Madrid Airport
On leaving the car park, driving in front of the terminal building, follow the signs for SALIDA (exit)/MADRID; once you find yourself on the exit road get into the outside (right hand) lane, ignore signs for Madrid Centro and take the cut off for BURGOS/M40 NORTE.
The M40 is the ring road round Madrid. If you imagine Madrid as a clock face, the airport is at 2 o’clock, and the M40 takes you (anti-clockwise) to the 10 o’clock position where you take the turn off marked A6 /LA CORUÑA. (If you are starting off from Madrid centre – or have come of the M40 too early – watch for signs to A6/VILLALBA/LA CORUÑA)
Staying on the A6, which is motorway standard, you quickly pass through the outermost suburbs of Madrid and go through the tunnel under the Guadarrama Mountains; keep going until you see the turn off for AVILA (follow the BLUE motorway signs) and you will quickly reach the toll booth where you pay a toll.
Keep on the motorway and you will eventually see the signs for the A51 to Ávila, which, as you pass Ávila, becomes the A50 to Salamanca. It is motorway all the way.
Once you reach Salamanca you will see the river (Rio Tormes) on your right and will come to a series of roundabouts and bridges, which I will now attempt to talk you through. The rule of thumb is this: there are four bridges taking you over the Tormes into Salamanca. IGNORE THE FIRST THREE BRIDGES AND CROSS THE FOURTH. It may look as though you are starting to pass the city by, but don’t worry! The last bridge takes you very near to the College. Alternatively, you might keep in mind that if you have crossed a bridge after a roundabout, you’ve crossed too early! Wait until you do a right turn through a set of traffic lights!
In more detail, the route looks like this: The motorway ends in a big roundabout beside a retail park (left) and shopping centre (“El Tormes” on the right). Go straight through, taking the second exit, and continue towards the city. Having gone under the railway bridge, you come to a big roundabout with a bridge off to the right (Puente de San José)… go straight through and ignore the bridge; next, another big roundabout with a metal bridge off right (Puente de Enrique Estevan); ignore and head straight on; at the much larger roundabout only a little further, take the right hand lane (first exit). On your right you might see a small stone pedestrian bridge, the Roman Bridge or Puente Romano; next, another roundabout with bridge off right (Puente de Sánchez Fabrés)… ignore the bridge and take the second exit, which takes you onto a road which has playing fields and running track to the right and a Lidl and Mercadona supermarket to the left. AT THE NEXT BRIDGE (the PUENTE DE LA UNIVERSIDAD) turn right. This bridge is approached at a right turn at a set of traffic lights rather than a roundabout.
On crossing the river, you come to another roundabout – take a left and then first right at the bottom of the slope. This is now Calle Henry Collet where the College is situated. You should pass the FACULTAD DE COMUNICACIÓN on your left; we are the next building on the right; the name of the College is written in large bronze letters on both pillars of the main gate – in Spanish on one side and in English on the other. If you are in doubt and come to the main door, there is a brass plaque beside the palm tree at the front door: which reads ROYAL SCOTS COLLEGE.
If you miscount roundabouts or end up in the town, head for the ESTACIÓN DE AUTOBUSES, which is very near us. When in doubt, phone us on 00 34 923 254011.
MAKE SURE YOU CARRY THE COLLEGE ADDRESS AND NUMBER WITH YOU.