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Woohoo! First train facing forward right at the back of the carriage – im happy 🙂

RENFE
MD 18170 UNICA
13:11 – 14:34
1 hour 23 min – DIRECT
€16.65

The Media Distancia (regional trains) and Avant trains cover the whole country and are solely operated by Renfe. These trains are also very modern and quite punctual but they are not as fast as the long distance ones.

Had to listen out for train to “ciudad real” the end stop

Getting to Atocha Cercanias

Its the main station and pretty central to the city and very easy to get to

Atocha is huge station so can be a little confusing where to go but for Renfe MD trains you need to be on the east side of the station and 1 level down from ground entrance

Had an easy morning as I didnt need to get to the station until 12:15pm – as breakfast was included I took my time and then finished packing and left for the station with plenty of time to spare, as I only had a backpack it was easy to enjoy the walk

Still busy in Madrid and its a friday so heaps still going on in the city

Entry into Atocha from the west side
Pass by the botanical gardens area in the main hall
This time I was leaving from Renfe Atocha Cercanias railway station so I had to walk to the east wing
Keep walking…

Then I came to the Renfe station metro area and Media Distance area, there were no scanning of bags just the ticket

Pass through to the cercanias side
And down some pretty steep looking stairs
Media Distancia – Larga Distancia waiting area

I found out that the gates for these trains arent announced until around 5-10mins before the departure – so you have to keep an ear and eye out to know where to depart from

Kept one eye on the board! – the lady said what they would be calling out on the loudspeaker but for the life of me do you think i remember what she said? Lol
I was one of the first as I got there around 12:20
Started getting packed getting closer to the time of departure
Further downstairs to the train departure

Whhhoaaa what a rush! As soon as the platform number lights up on the board everyone stands up and runs to platform 7! No one cares they just try to get there as soon as they can

Platform 7 – now which side would carriage 1 be on?? The end of the platform or my side?
As long as the train and destination is correct – i noticed this time there was no train number to confirm with – so going off the train departure time
They really need to do a better job at labeling the carriages cos everyone is stopping and squinting trying to see what carriage number it is – its really not that well labeled
Back of the coche 1 – great seat no one behind me
Same seats plenty of leg space – and I actually get a full window this time! lol
Got to Alcazar – a quiet sleepy little town, and it was and easy walk from the train station
5min walk to my hotel!