About the route
The '80s Train' returns to the tracks to venture into the lands of La Mancha with a route to Campo de Criptana. Operating under the name 'Expreso de la Mancha', the convoy will depart from Madrid-Chamartín, with stops at Madrid-Atocha Cercanías and Aranjuez, to travel along the historic Line 300 (Madrid–Valencia).
After leaving the Tajo riverbanks behind and crossing the Alcázar de San Juan railway junction, the journey plunges into the province of Ciudad Real, traversing the vast plains of La Mancha until reaching its destination in Campo de Criptana.
Upon arrival, you will have free time for lunch and to explore this iconic town. You can hike up to the Sierra de los Molinos—whose windmills still house their original machinery, evoking the famous giants from Don Quixote—stroll through the narrow streets and whitewashed houses of the Albaicín neighborhood, discover landmarks such as the Pósito Real or the Plaza Mayor, and visit cultural spaces like the Sara Montiel Museum, dedicated to the town's illustrious native.
After a full day spent in this legendary Quixotic enclave, the train will set off on its return journey to Madrid in the afternoon.
The Tren Azul is a rolling museum that invites you to travel back in time and discover the history of the Spanish railway. Lovingly restored by the Asociación Zaragozana de Amigos del Ferrocarril (AZAFT), this historic train preserves vehicles declared Listed Assets of Aragonese Cultural Heritage.
The Route, Step by Step
Route Details
Travel time
Frequency
Schedule
Boarding
Calendar
Seats
Your destination: Canfranc
Our schedules and fares
Timetable
| Outward | Return | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:28h | Madrid-Chamartín | 20:08h | ||
| 09:39h | Madrid-Atocha | 19:52h | ||
| 10:18h | Aranjuez | 19:17h | ||
| 11:13h | Alcázar de San Juan | 18:26h | ||
| 11:21h | Campo de Criptana | 18:20h |
Fares
PRICES FROM: MADRID CHAMARTÍN, ATOCHA AND ARANJUEZ. DESTINATION: ALCÁZAR DE SAN JUAN OR CAMPO DE CRIPTANA
| Class / Car | Adults | Children |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Class Compartments | €48.30 | €40.25 |
| 2nd Class / Cafeteria Car BBR-9805 | €33.70 | €24.00 |
| 1st Class / Lounge Car AA-9006 | €40.45 | €30.25 |
| 2nd Class Compartments | €31.45 | €19.00 |
Flexible fares throughout the booking process.
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Aboard a historic train
The Tren de los 80 (80s Train) constitutes an exceptional living museum under the tutelage of the Madrid Association of Friends of the Railway (AAFM), whose purpose is to rescue and operate the rolling stock that defined Spanish railway modernization. This convoy is made up of vehicles of incalculable historical value—many of them legally protected as Assets of Cultural Interest—which have been returned to the tracks after an exhaustive restoration process. By walking through its interior, travelers immerse themselves in the aesthetics of the 9000 and 10000 series carriages, reliving the elegance and comfort of the great express trains that spanned the country before the arrival of high-speed rail.
Through its regular departures from Madrid to various points across the national geography, the project offers an educational and nostalgic experience that transcends simple transport. Each journey becomes an exercise in active preservation, where all funds raised are used entirely for the technical and aesthetic maintenance of this unique collection. Thanks to the voluntary work of AAFM members, the Tren de los 80 not only conserves industrial heritage but also keeps alive the memory of a golden age where the train journey itself was the greatest of destinations.
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