Atocha

Terrible train station compared to other big city train stations. Once passing through the luggage scanning there's not enough seats for passengers who are waiting for board. Very few and overpriced food and drink places. Another problem, thought not specifically about this station, is that there's no one stop vending machine for train tickets. Different companies offer their own machine and customer service points.

The station is attractive and easily maneuvered. It was my first time at this station. From walking in to arriving at my platform took about 15 minutes. Note you should buy your ticket ahead of time. You do need to pass through security where they scan your bags, but can have liquids and you don't remove shoes or electronics. The place runs like clockwork.

Atocha Cercanías is a key commuter rail station in Madrid, well-organized and conveniently located near many of the city's main attractions. The station is clean and generally well-maintained, with clear signage that makes navigating between platforms easy. There are plenty of amenities, including shops, cafes, and restrooms, which make waiting for a train more comfortable. The trains run frequently and are a great way to get around Madrid and its suburbs. However, it can get very crowded during peak hours, so plan accordingly. Overall, a reliable and efficient station for commuters and tourists alike.

An ugly station. Very old and small for the number of passengers. Not enough seats in the waiting area (seriously only like 50 seats). The indoor garden is nice but you can enter and the poor plants are covered with dust. This station urgently needs a renovation.

My girlfriend slipped and fell on the moving escalator like walkway after we entered the station. Luckily she wasn’t severely hurt and I didn’t have to hit the emergency stop or call for help. Her elbow was very sore for months though. We went on the opposite walkway on our return trip and it was also very dangerous. Be prepared to take a fall if you’re not paying attention.

Large station, easy directions. But passengers here are with poor quality and love to have their legs wide spread throughout the train to disturb other passengers to pass through. Education is needed for these people.

I was able to navigate and get to my AVE train with 5 mins to spare even though I was complete newbie to the city. There is not many places to sit for waiting passengers. You will need to allot some time if you want to get something to eat before journey - takes time to find the places. Good that Renfe allows for first change for free.

Beautiful train station! But as my first stop after a flight into MAD, it was a little confusing to navigate and the staff was not super helpful. If you have more experience with train stations and the Spanish language, maybe it’s a little less confusing!