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How to get to Rioja from Madrid

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How to get to Rioja from Madrid

In this post we want to share some of the options to get to Rioja from Madrid. Rioja is not a large region and the biggest city, Logroño, is not amongst the most important cities in Spain. This explains why getting to Rioja is sometimes not so easy.

The Rioja wine region is hands down one of the most famous wine regions in Spain, and this is not without reason.

With its rolling hills that change colour throughout the seasons, old little wineries tucked in between mountain valleys, architectural winery giants that break all known design boundaries, wine hotels with their own vineyards, ancient monasteries, castles and local gastronomy to pair with that fantastic wine, who could blame you for wanting to visit- but how, exactly, do you get there?

In this post we are going to look at how to get to Rioja from Madrid. There are various options to choose from, including bus, train and car.

How to get to Rioja from Madrid by bus

Ways to get from Madrid to Rioja

Private wine tours to Rioja from Madrid

If you do not want to drive and would like to enjoy a luxury experience we recommend one of our tours from Madrid to Rioja, which can be extended to Bilbao, San Sebastian, or Barcelona. You can find here information about these private tours from Madrid.

Concha beach from mount Igueldo in San Sebastian

Madrid to San Sebastian or Bilbao Private Tour

An amazing private tour to connect Madrid with San Sebastian or Bilbao. We can’t think of a better way to travel from Madrid to San Sebastian! With this tour, we have combined 2 private day tours to 2 of Spain’s most famous wine regions: Rioja and Ribera del Duero. You will enjoy fantastic landscapes, wineries, gastronomy and historical sites. Be transported to the north of Spain in total comfort while enjoying and getting to know the essence of Spanish wine country … Read More

Beautiful vineyards in Ribera del Duero

2 day tour in Ribera del Duero from Madrid

Experience a 2 day tour in Ribera del Duero from Madrid through the renowned Ribera del Duero wine region, where you will have the opportunity to explore acclaimed wineries,
sample exquisite wines, and savour the local gastronomy. You will gain insight into the celebrated Tempranillo grape variety that has played a key role in Ribera del Duero´s current global fame. … Read More

How to get to Rioja from Madrid by bus

You can travel by bus from Madrid to Logroño, a charming little town that calls itself the capital of Rioja. This town is well known for having a fantastic tapas street, which we talked about in our Things to do in Rioja- Part 1 blog.

You could leave directly from the airport, or from Avenida de America in the city itself.

The journey takes approximately 4 hours. Single tickets can cost from around 12 euros to 35 euros, depending on the time that you choose and whether you are travelling on a weekday or weekend. If you choose to book on the day, your ticket may cost as much as 55 euros approximately.

Best rates for Spain Buses
Logroño Rioja

How to get to Rioja from Madrid by train

In Spain the main train company is called RENFE. For long distance journeys, AVE trains are the most popular choice, especially when people want to take the train from Madrid to other big cities. There is also another type of long distance train called the ALVIA, which but is not as well-known but offers more obscure routes.

AVE trains are extremely comfortable, clean and convenient, and one of Spain´s big achievements. Compared with many other long distance train services in other countries, these come up top, and are not an option to be shunned. The AVE train can be more expensive than other options like taking the bus, but they may also be in general much faster and more comfortable when they go directly to your destination.

Within Madrid we are lucky as the AVE trains connect us with many of Spain´s most important cities and beautiful places to visit. They are primarily useful for travelling long distances in a short time, and provide a scenic route to watch out your window as you travel (not to mention the newspaper and tea service available).

To travel to both Logroño (the capital of Rioja) and Haro (a beautiful wine town), you can take the AVE train and the ALVIA train.

When choosing your train, you will be offered different options: direct trains with ALVIA and indirect trains with both AVE and ALVIA trains (that stop in Zaragoza). Unsurprisingly, the direct trains are faster, and will take around 3 hours 20 minutes. An indirect train could take around 4 hours to 4 hours 30 minutes.

Best rates for Spain trains

You can see the different options available by searching online. We would recommend booking well in advance, as the prices for trains can go up significantly as the date of travel moves closer.

Madrid to Rioja by car

There is also the option of renting a car and driving up to Rioja.

This is a great option if you are looking to visit rural wineries and would like to be able to move around within Rioja, rather than just stay in one wine town. It is also fantastic for watching the landscapes change as you enter the wine country.

Depending on your destination within Rioja, you could drive to the wine region in different times. To drive to Logroño, the journey would take you about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Our team of experts has put together these 2 itineraries to inspire you in your travel planning in Rioja. We are sure you will find lots of ideas in either of these 2 great road trip itineraries.

Bodegas Ysios in Rioja Alvesa

Rioja road trip – Rioja at its best

Discover the best of La Rioja with this short but complete road trip itinerary in Spain´s top wine region in which you will visit emblematic wineries and taste their wines, explore magnificent landscapes, taste the traditional gastronomy of Rioja, get to know its culture and curiosities, and enjoy activities related to the world of wine. We have carefully selected each of the services recommended to make this the best way to discover this wonderful region. … Read More

Acueduct of Segovia and views of the Sierra

Madrid to Bilbao road trip via wine country

Design a fantastic road trip in northern Spain from Bilbao to Sntiago de Compostela with this free itinerary planner that includes recommendations to discover the north of Spain by visiting elegant cities such as San Sebastian, Santander and Oviedo and small fishing villages, all with their traditional architecture. This road trip itinerary has been selected as one of Spain’s best holidays by The Times. Our team of local experts recommends top hotels, restaurants, hidden gems, and activities to enjoy … Read More

Once you are in Rioja

Having arrived by bus, train or car, we have lots of exciting ideas for your hotel in Rioja. There are many wineries in Rioja, though most do not offer guided visits in English language. A good way to plan your winery visits in Rioja is with one of our winery passes. With a winery pass you get to know fantastic wineries, taste excellent wines and get your day organised in an easy way. 

Just have a look on our website for more ideas (hotels with their own wineries, wine tastings and local gastronomic meals), or contact us for more information.

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Bridge over the Duero in Aranda de Duero
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How to get to Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero is one of the most prestigious wine regions in Spain. Here are some tips on how to reach this fantastic wine region by car, bus and train.
In this post we look at how to get to the fantastic wine region of Ribera del Duero, such as how to get to Ribera del Duero from Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, San Sebastian and more. … Read More