Situated by the river Jerte, Plasencia is an unmissable stop for travellers roadtripping Extremadura along the Autovía Ruta de la Plata or for those visiting Cáceres province from Madrid.
This article, aimed at travellers looking to get to Plasencia from Madrid, covers everything you need to know about the journey – from the transport options available to the advantages of each means of transport, a detailed car journey description and practical information.
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Getting to Plasencia from Madrid by car
Plasencia is 283 kilometres away from Madrid Barajas Airport and a typical car journey takes 2h 44min (or 2h 30min if using a toll), making it the fastest way (road traffic permitting) to get to Plasencia from Madrid.
Reasons for driving to Plasencia from Madrid:
You can hire a car at the airport. If you’re flying into Madrid, hiring a car at the airport is a no-brainer. You avoid having to cross the city in the metro or getting a taxi to the bus or the train station.
You can leave when you want. You don’t need to kill time while waiting for a bus or train. As soon as you land, you can go get your car and leave straight away.
It can be the cheapest option, if travelling with others. Unless you travel on your own, sharing a hired car is normally cheaper than using public transport.
It’s the fastest option, although by a small margin, since the train journey to Plasencia is only ten minutes longer. However, the coach journey is one hour longer.
It gives you the most flexibility. Driving allows you to stop whenever and wherever you want. You might need regular quick rest stops, or you may want to take it slowly or eat on the way.
It may be your only option. If you want or need to leave Madrid late in the evening, hiring a car may be your only option to get to Plasencia, since the last coaches depart from Madrid before 5pm and the last train usually departs before 6pm.
The car journey to Plasencia from Madrid
The Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport is located to the northeast of Madrid. The journey involves driving along the orbital M-40 road clockwise to reach southwestern Madrid before joining the A-5/E-90 motorway Badajoz-bound. Motorists on the M-40 display an aggressive rather than defensive driving style and traffic is fast-paced. Have someone else on the passenger seat help with directions and making sure you don’t miss your exit.
You have two options to exit the M-40: getting off at exit 31 (A-5/E-90 Badajoz-bound), or getting off a bit earlier at exit 27 (R-5 Badajoz-bound). The R-5 is a radial toll-road which saves you a bit of time, road traffic and stress, particularly if you’re driving in morning or evening rush hour or in key holiday dates.
If you want to factor in traffic congestion when deciding when to depart Madrid by car, take note of the usual busiest times on the road (excluding holidays): Monday-Friday from 7.30am to 9.30am and from 6pm to 8pm. Monday tends to be the busiest day on the road. Busiest times during weekends are usually Saturdays from 10am to 12pm and Sundays from 6pm to 9pm.
Once you join the A-5/E-90 motorway Badajoz-bound, the journey is an easy and comfortable ride to Cáceres. The motorway is in good condition. Traffic varies between low to moderate, with a fair number of trucks and lorries, many heading to Portugal. Service stations are well signposted and they normally comprise a service station itself with a little shop and an independent bar/restaurant serving cheap and reasonable-quality food.
Drive on the A-5/E-90 motorway and just before Trujillo, get off at exit 248 to join the A-58 road that will take you to Cáceres.
Drive on the A-5/E-90 motorway and just after Navalmoral de la Mata, get off at exit 185 to join the EX-A1 road Plasencia-bound.
If you’re leaving the car in Párking La Isla (see below), get off the EX-A1 at exit 46 onto the EX-208 to Plasencia (este) and keep following the Plasencia (este, then norte) signs at the roundabout, then follow the centro ciudad signs before Puente de Trujillo and as you approach the centre, you’ll the yellow sign reading ‘parking De la Isla’.
Parking in Plasencia
Finding a good place to leave your car in a new city is not always easy. Whether you’re driving to Plasencia for a day trip or you’re staying overnight, knowing where you’ll park in advance can remove some of the road trip-related stress.
My go-to car park in Plasencia is Párking La Isla and here’s why:
Location. It’s very close to the city centre. You can access Avenida del Valle via stairs or a lift. Then simply cross the road and take the street escalators to the square and enter the city centre via the Puerta del Sol gate. It’s little more than a five-minute walk overall.
Access. It’s relatively easy to get to, if arriving to Plasencia from the EX-A1 road (see directions above), which also makes it convenient for leaving the city after your visit.
It’s free.
Getting to Plasencia from Madrid by train
Trains from Madrid to Plasencia depart from Atocha Station – not from the main station but from the Atocha – Cercanías Station.
The train journey duration varies between 2h 50min (Media Distancia service) and 3h 4min (Regional Exprés service). Make sure to book the most suitable service, since there is another (Alvia) service which involves a bus shuttle.
Plasencia Train Station is located in Calle Estación, south of the river and about 15 minutes away on foot from the city centre (e.g. 17 minutes away from the main square).
Practical info: Plasencia Train Station opens from Monday to Friday from 5.45am to 10.30pm, Saturdays from 5.45am to 7.15pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 7.45am to 10.30pm. There’s a car hire office right next to the station, if you need it.
Travelling to Plasencia from Madrid by train may suit you in these cases:
You travel alone. A train ticket will be cheaper than hiring a car on your own.
You don’t drive. If you need to travel by public transport, trains are generally more comfortable than coaches. And this particular journey is quicker by train than by coach.
You just like trains. Some people simply love travelling by train. You can relax and read or just enjoy the landscapes from the window.
Getting to Plasencia from Madrid by coach
Cevesa serves the Madrid to Plasencia route from Estación Sur de Autobuses. Tickets can be purchased in advance online. The journey duration varies between 3h 30min and 3h 35min.
Plasencia Bus Station is located in Calle Tornavacas, less than fifteen minutes away on foot the main square.
Travelling to Plasencia from Madrid by coach may suit you in these cases:
You travel alone. A coach ticket will be cheaper than hiring a car on your own.
You live or are staying in the south of Madrid. If you have an easy commute to the Estación Sur de Autobuses, you might want to travel by coach, although trains may be equally suitable, so do check and compare.
There are no train services available, trains are fully booked, or timings don’t suit.
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Irene Corchado Resmella
Hi! I’m Irene (/ee-REH-neh/). Long since settled in the UK, I explore my Spanish home region of Extremadura with an inquisitive mind, a sharp eye, and the duality that comes with being both a local and a visitor. Then I write about it here to help you discover this beautiful yet overlooked part of Spain. If you have any questions after reading this article, submit a comment below! Read more about me.
