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.
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
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. Once in Cabezon
you will need to either hire a taxi to Garabandal 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.
See a Map
Getting to San Sebastian de Garabandal: Homepage
