[Ultimate Guide] Day Trip from Madrid to Segovia by Train, Bus or Car
Segovia is a UNESCO World Heritage List city in Spain, right outside of the capital city, and it’s the perfect destination for a day trip from Madrid.
The question is:
How to get from Madrid to Segovia?
That’s exactly what we’ll see in the guide below.
+ what to see once you’re in Segovia.
Let’s get to it!
There are many ways to go on a day trip to Segovia; whether you choose to go from Madrid to Segovia by train, bus, car, or with a tour, it all comes down to personal preference. We will see below the pros and cons of each option, so you can choose the best option for you.
In this travel guide about a Madrid to Segovia day trip, you’ll find in the table of contents below everything that we’ll see, from how to get to Segovia from Madrid to what to do in Segovia. Simply click on the table to expand it, then click on any part you’d like to jump to.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Why is Segovia a Perfect Destination for a Day Trip from Madrid
Segovia is a good choice for a day trip from Madrid for 2 reasons: the Madrid Segovia trip is a really short one, and 1 day is enough to explore Segovia.
Short distance Madrid Segovia
Segovia is located in the north west of Madrid, in the Castile and León region, central Spain. In the region, you’ll find the fortified city of Avila, and the medieval churches of Valladolid.
How far is Segovia from Madrid? The Madrid to Segovia distance is only 100 km / 62 miles.
Getting to Segovia from Madrid will take you around 1 hour, making a Madrid to Segovia day trip really easy.
1 day is enough to explore Segovia
The second reason why Segovia is a good choice for a day trip is that you will be able to see most of the city in one day.
While Segovia is rather big, the city is pretty spread out. All of the must-see are in the same area, in the north of the city. In one day of walking around, you’ll have plenty of time to explore Segovia, without feeling rushed or feeling like you’re missing out on so many things.
How to Get from Madrid to Segovia
The distance from Madrid to Segovia is pretty short (100 km/62 miles), which makes it an easy city to reach, whether it’s by car, bus or train.
You can see in the table below a quick comparison of the different ways to get to Segovia from Madrid based on time, cost, pros and cons.
| Time ⏱ | Cost  | Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ | |
| Car ? | 1h30 | 30€ | flexible | tiring, risk of traffic |
| Bus ? | 1h30 | 10€ | cheapest option, drop off in front of the Aqueduct | longest option |
| Train ? | 45mn | 27€ | quickest option | drop off far from the city center |
| Tour ? | 1h30 | 39€ | live explanation, additional sights | most expensive option |
Read below for more details on each means of transportation.
From Madrid to Segovia by Car
Renting a car is my favorite way to travel, because it gives me total flexibility. If you’re planning to visit other places after/before Segovia, I definitely recommend renting a car. If you’re only doing a day trip Madrid to Segovia, then it’s probably not the best option, since you won’t really need your car to explore Segovia.
Average Time
To get from Madrid to Segovia by car, you have 2 options: the freeway (with tolls), or the regular road (without tolls).
If you use the freeway, it will take you around 1h10 to reach Segovia.
Using the regular road, you will need around 1h30.
Since you don’t save that much time by using the freeway, I recommend taking the regular roads. It will save you some cash, and you’ll also enjoy the drive much more, going through the mountains and forests in the area.
Cost
The cost to get from Madrid to Segovia by car includes car rental and gas. I will exclude tolls because taking the freeway is really not necessary.
Car Rental: 10€
Renting a car from the Madrid airport for 1 day is really cheap, and unless you want a really fancy car, you’ll find one for around 10€, including unlimited mileage and insurance.
Get the best prices for your car rental here: Car rental in Madrid
Gas: 20€
With only 3h of driving, you won’t need to add that much gas before returning the car.
Tolls: Free
Use the regular roads. It’s only 20 minutes longer, and it’s a much nicer drive.
Parking: Free
As in most places in Europe, parking in Segovia is actually pretty expensive. But don’t worry, there are a few free parking around the city, to avoid additional costs.
Read more: Free Parking in Segovia
Total Cost: 30€
Obviously if you’re from Spain and already have a car, the cost to get from Madrid to Segovia by car will be reduced to 20€.
Madrid to Segovia by Car
Cost: 30€Pros: flexible
Cons: tiring, risk of traffic
Book here: Car Rental in Madrid – Best Prices
From Madrid to Segovia by Bus
If you want to avoid the hassle of driving (or if you don’t have a driving license), there is another option to reach Segovia: taking a bus from Madrid to Segovia.
The autobus Madrid Segovia takes a little longer than the other transportation options, but it’s the cheapest option. What I love about the bus is that it takes you right in the center of Segovia, at the Aqueduct, ready to explore the city.
Average Time
To bus Madrid to Segovia takes around 1h30 to do the trip, and leaves from the Moncloa station.
Cost
The bus is the cheapest option to go from Madrid to Segovia, costing around 10€ for a return trip.
Get the best prices for your Bus Trip here: Bus Madrid Segovia
Madrid to Segovia Bus Timetable
The Bus Madrid Segovia runs every day, from 6:30am to 10:30pm, and there is on average 3 buses per hour.
To see all of the times, click here: Madrid Segovia bus timetable
Madrid to Segovia by Bus
Cost: 10€Pros: cheapest option, drop off in front of the Aqueduct
Cons: longest option
Book here: Bus Madrid Segovia
From Madrid to Segovia by Train
The third option for the Madrid Segovia day trip is to take the high speed train.
Taking the train from Madrid to Segovia is the quickest way to reach Segovia, in around 30 minutes. At around 23€ for a return ticket, it’s a cost-effective way for a single traveller to reach Segovia, but I would recommend renting a car if you’re travelling as 2 or more.
Average Time
To Madrid Segovia train takes exactly 28 minutes to reach its destination. However, the train drops you off in the Segovia AV train station, which is 5km (3 miles) away from the city center. You’ll have to take a bus or a cab to reach the Aqueduct, which will add at least 15 minutes to your trip (+ the waiting time).
Cost
A ticket for a return trip to Segovia from Madrid costs around 23€.
You will have to add the price for a bus ticket to and from Segovia city center, 2€ one-way ticket.
Book the AVE Madrid Segovia train on the RENFE website here: Train Madrid Segovia
Madrid to Segovia Train Timetable
The train Madrid to Segovia runs every day, from 6:40am to 11:00pm, and there is on average 1 train per hour.
To see all of the times, click here: Madrid Segovia train timetable
Madrid to Segovia by Train
Cost: 27€Pros: quickest option
Cons: drop off far from the city center
Book here: Train Madrid to Segovia
Segovia Tour from Madrid
The last option to go from Madrid to Segovia is with a Segovia day tour from Madrid.
It’s the most expensive option, but it’s also the best way to discover Segovia, with a guide showing you around the city, with an added explanation of the city’s history, and additional impressive sights around Segovia.
Average Time
To tour will take you from Madrid to Segovia by bus, and it will take around 1h30. Once in the city, you will go on a 1h30 walking tour in the city with your guide.
In addition to exploring Segovia, you will also see the Eresma River Valley, and the peaks of the Sierra de Guadarrama.
Cost
The day trip tour from Madrid to Segovia costs 45€.
Book your tour to Segovia here: Tour from Madrid to Segovia
Madrid to Segovia Tour
Cost: 45€Pros: live explanation, additional sights
Cons: most expensive option
Book here: Best Day Trip Tour Madrid Segovia
So there you have them, the 4 ways to go from Madrid to Segovia. Whether you decide to drive to Segovia, take the AVE train from Madrid to Segovia, the Madrid bus to Segovia, or go on a guided tour, it all comes down to personal preference.
Now let’s go over what you should see in the city!
Exploring Segovia – What to do in Segovia for One Day
Now that you know how to get to Segovia, let’s look at what you can do once you get there, with one day in Segovia! We’ll go over what are the absolute must-see in the city, and what to eat in Segovia.
What to See in Segovia
Segovia is famous for 3 main monuments: the Cathedral, the Alcazar (castle), and the Aqueduct. Don’t worry, there are all in the same area, and you will have time to see them all during your day trip from Madrid.
Segovia Cathedral
The Catedral de Segovia is the first monument I visited in Segovia. Built in 1577, the cathedral is the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain, and what a cathedral!
From the outside, the Segovia Cathedral looks incredibly imposing, with the fine details on the facade, and the massive bell tower sticking out above the city.
From the inside, it’s equally as stunning. With 21 chapels, a cloister, a museum, and much more, I highly recommend taking the time to visit.
Alcazar de Segovia
The second main monument in Segovia is the castle (alcazar in Spanish): the Alcazar de Segovia.
Honestly I wasn’t expecting to see such an epic castle, right outside of Madrid. Just look at the picture below to see how epic it is.
Just like the cathedral, the castle is beautiful from the outside, but it’s also worth visiting. If you’re a history fan, you’re in for a treat.
My favorite part of the castle is the Torre de Juan II (tower of John II of Castile): you can go all the way up to the top of the tower, where you’ll have the best view over the city and the cathedral.
Aqueduct of Segovia
The third of the main monuments in Segovia is the Aqueduct, and it’s probably the most famous. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Aqueduct was built almost 2,000 years ago in the 1st century.
If you’re coming from Madrid by bus or train, the Aqueduct will be the first thing you’ll see. Built with more than 25,000 granite blocks, stacked together without using any cement nor mortar, it’s truly an impressive sight to behold.
So there you have it, your answer to what to see in Segovia. Of course there are more to see in Segovia than these 3 main monuments, but these should be on top of your list. If you want more places to see, check out this walking tour guide, or scroll down to see the suggested itinerary below.
If you post your photos of Segovia on Instagram, tag them with #kevmrc so that we can see them!
What to Eat in Segovia
Segovia is famous for its epic monuments, but it’s also known in the world for a very particular dish: the Cochinillo Asado (roast suckling pig). Along with Ponche Segoviano, a sweet pastry, these are the 2 things I recommend eating in Segovia.
And obviously, you should also try local Spanish food (my fave is the tortilla española)!
Cochinillo Asado
The Cochinillo Asado, or roast suckling pig, is the specialty of Segovia. Cochinillo is incredibly tender, and the meat will literally melt in your mouth. So tender, in fact, that local chefs often use the edge of a plate rather than a knife to cut the pig when serving it.
Where to eat Cochinillo Asado: as it’s a local dish, you’ll find cochinillo in a lot of restaurants in Segovia. The one I’ll recommend is the Restaurante José María, that was recommended to me by a Segovian friend.
Ponche Segoviano
The Ponche Segoviano is a dessert, made of almond-based marzipan, custard, and caramelized sugar.
It was the favorite dessert of King Alfonso XIII, and won the Universal Exhibition gold medal in 1929.
Where to eat Ponche Segoviano: the best place to get Ponche Segoviano is where it was invented, at the Confitería El Alcázar.
Make sure to try to other pastries too, they’re absolutely delicious! I may or may have not stuffed my face with dozens of them during my visit…
Recommended Itinerary to See Segovia in 1 Day
To make it easy for you to explore Segovia on your day trip from Madrid, I’ve created a custom map, specially for you.
And yes, it’s free.
Here’s your Segovia Itinerary map:
Navigate: Click on the top left logo to open the side panel. You’ll see all of the spots in the itinerary; you can click on any to have more information
Download: To download the map, simply click on the “star” next to the title. It will automatically add the map to your Google Maps. In Google Maps, you will find it under Menu>Your Places>Maps
Note: the itinerary is a loop, so you can start it at any point. If you’re coming from Madrid by train or by bus, you’ll start the itinerary at the Aqueduct.
This itinerary will allow you to explore Segovia in the best way possible, to make the most out of your Segovia day trip. If you want more information about this itinerary, including photos and details about each place you’ll visit, click on the guide below.
What to Know Before Going to Segovia
If you’re planning to discover Segovia by walking around in the city, then I have a few tips for you.
These will help you make the most out of your visit in Segovia:
- as for any walking tour, make sure to wear proper footwear! Sneakers are ok for this short walk, but hiking shoes are always recommended
- wear sunscreen and a hat if it’s sunny; the sun is no joke
- remember to be respectful when you enter places of worship: take off your hats, and be quiet
- bring a thermos with you on your walk, you’ll be happy to have cold water/hot coffee with you when you sit down for a break
Best Activities & Tours in Segovia
If you want to make the most out of your trip to Segovia, you’ll find below a few selected activities that will take your visit to the next level:
Segovia Tour from Madrid
We saw this one above, it’s the full package for your day trip to Segovia. It includes the round trip transportation to/from Segovia, and the guided visit of the city.
See more here: Best Day Trip Tour Madrid Segovia
City Tour Segovia + Horse Riding Tour
This tour is my favorite tour for a day-trip to Segovia. It will take you from Madrid to Segovia, and then back.
In Segovia, you will have a guided tour of the city, by a professional guide, and the entries to the Alcazar and the Cathedral are included in the tour.
The cherry on top is the horseback riding experience: a 1h30 journey around the city, riding a horse in the valleys, with spectacular views over Segovia. Definitely a favorite of mine!
See more here: Segovia day trip + Horse riding experience
City Tour Segovia + Hot Air Balloon Experience
Not afraid of heights? Then you’ll LOVE this tour! Just like the 2 previous tours (day trips from Madrid to Segovia), this one will pick you up in Madrid and drop you back in Madrid at the end of the day.
In the city, you’ll go on a guided walking tour to explore the marvels of the city.
And then, you’ll get to experience Segovia like very few have: from above! During 1 hour, you’ll be above Segovia in a hot air balloon, seeing the city from a new perspective, and getting your dose of adrenaline. Truly the best way to see the city.
See more here: Segovia day trip + Hot Air Balloon Experience
Where to Stay in Segovia
This guide is for a Madrid day trip to Segovia, so you probably won’t be spending the night in Segovia. However, if you want more time to explore the city, or simply sleep in Segovia before heading out to other Spain cities (such as Avila or Toledo for example), you’ll find below the best hotels for your stay.
Budget: Hosteria Natura
Cheapest accommodation in Segovia, for around 30€ per night. It comes with private bathroom and free wifi.
This hostel has the best location, it’s right on the main square Plaza Mayor, and everything is within walking distance. There’s also A/C and heating in each room, for your comfort.
Best Prices: Hosteria Natura
Comfy: Hotel Spa La Casa Mudéjar
Very comfy rooms, with private bathroom, for around 65€ per night.
The two nice bonuses? It’s right next to the Cathedral, and there is a spa, the perfect place to go and relax after a long day of exploring Segovia!
Best Prices: Hotel Spa La Casa Mudéjar
Luxury: Hotel Infanta Isabel
If you’re looking for the perfect dreamy place to relax and enjoy your stay in Segovia, look no further.
The Hotel Infanta Isabel might very well be your favorite place in the city; luxurious hotel, with stunning rooms, and incredible beds. What about the location? Well, you’ll have a view on the Segovia Cathedral straight from your room!
Best Prices: Hotel Infanta Isabel
Visit Spain
Planning a Madrid Segovia day trip? You can find below several other articles about this wonderful part of the world to help you plan your trip:
Segovia Guides:
Alcazar de Segovia, the Walt Disney Castle in Segovia
Segovia Cathedral, Complete Guide to Visit
Acueducto de Segovia, the Roman Aqueduct in Segovia
Spain Guides:
Segovia Self-Guided Walking Tour
I hope you enjoy your day trip to Segovia and the rest of your trip to Spain!
If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply. Help other travelers and share this guide with the buttons below!
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Kevin. This is wonderful, helpful and inspiring information. We are chatting our course for Segovia! With only about Max 4 hours to spend, before we drive onto Salamanca, this will enable us to prioritize, truncate and avoid rushing our visit. Thank you. Donna from CA
Hello Dona, when will you be in Segovia? Hope you enjoy your trip and that you’re able to make the most of it!
Just want you to know how grateful we are to have found the Madrid Segovia day trip you posted! We weren’t originally planning on going there during our Spain trip, but you had amazing pics and detailed info that we loved so we gave it a try and loved every minute! Thanks for taking the time to plan this day trip including prices and options of transportation. We felt confident going into it!
Yesss that is so awesome to hear! Thanks for taking the time to let me know, it really feels good to hear others are benefiting from all the research I put in 🙂 I am so glad you loved your trip to Segovia! What was your favorite part?