Cercanías and buses from Madrid

Alcalá de Henares is about 30 km from Madrid and 14 km from Barajas airport, and is easy to reach without a car: by Cercanías commuter train or on ALSA intercity buses. The frequencies below are those given by the tourist office; on Sundays, check timetables at renfe.com and the Consorcio de Transportes (crtm.es). From the station to Plaza de Cervantes it is about fifteen minutes on foot.

By Cercanías

Two lines link Alcalá with central Madrid. The C-2 (Guadalajara – Alcalá de Henares – Atocha – Chamartín) runs every 20 minutes according to the tourist office, and the C-7 (Alcalá de Henares – Atocha – Chamartín – Príncipe Pío) every 10. According to the Consorcio, the C-8 and C-8b, which continue to Villalba and Cercedilla, also stop at Alcalá. The city has two stations: Alcalá de Henares, on Paseo de la Estación, the closest to the old town, and Alcalá de Henares Universidad, next to the outer campus.

For the historic centre get off at Alcalá de Henares. From there, the walk to Calle Mayor and Plaza de Cervantes is flat.

In spring and autumn the Cervantes Train also runs, a tourist train with actors during the journey and a tasting of Alcalá's typical sweets. Its tickets are sold at the Cercanías Madrid ticket offices and machines and on the Renfe website, in the themed trains section.

By bus

ALSA covers the intercity lines from the Avenida de América interchange:

• 223: Madrid (Avenida de América) – Alcalá (Vía Complutense).
• 227: Madrid (Avenida de América) – Alcalá (Espartales Universidad).
• 229: Madrid (Avenida de América) – Alcalá (Virgen del Val).
• N202: the night service from Avenida de América.

Line 824 is the only one linking Alcalá with Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport, via Torrejón de Ardoz: useful if you arrive by plane and want to sleep in Alcalá. To Guadalajara go the 221A, via Alovera, and the 221, which leaves from Avenida de América and stops on the A-2 next to the Cuadernillos and La Dehesa shopping centres.

The Consorcio Regional de Transportes can be reached on 91 580 35 90 and 91 580 19 80, as well as at crtm.es.

Train or bus

The train is usually the simplest option for a day visit to the old town: there are more frequencies and Alcalá de Henares station is a stroll from the centre. The bus pays off if you leave from the Avenida de América area, if you come from the airport or if you return at night on the N202. In both cases the fare depends on the fare zone; check the Consorcio's fares before travelling if you have no pass.

On arrival

The tourist office at the Capilla del Oidor, on Plaza de Cervantes, gives out maps and sells the municipal guided tour. If you end up preferring to come by car, see the car parks near the centre.