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Travel to Toledo

Flying to Toledo

The nearest airport to Toledo is Madrid-Barajas Airport, about an hour's drive away. Airlines offering direct flights to Madrid from the UK include Air Europa, British Airways, easyJet, Iberia, Iberia Express, Norwegian and Ryanair.

Cheap flights are available year-round. Fares tend to rise in summer, so book well ahead for the best deals.

From the USA, there are direct flights with Air Europa, American Airlines, Delta, Iberia and United.

Flight times

To Madrid: From London - 2 hours 20 minutes; New York - 7 hours 15 minutes; Los Angeles - 11 hours; Toronto - 9 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); Sydney - 24 hours 30 minutes (including stopover).

Travel by road

In Toledo, traffic drives on the right and the minimum driving age is 18 years. Speed limits are 120kph (74mph) on motorways, 100kph (62mph) on dual carriageways, 90kph (56mph) on roads outside built-up areas and 50kph (31mph) within towns, unless otherwise stated.

A valid driving licence and third-party insurance are required to drive in Spain. National licences from EU countries are accepted, while nationals of other countries are advised to obtain an International Driving Permit. A Green Card is strongly recommended for all visitors and is compulsory for those from outside the EU.

Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE) (tel: +34 900 100 992; www.race.es) has reciprocal agreements with the AA and RAC in the UK and the AAA in the USA.

Emergency breakdown services

Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE) (tel: +34 902 112 222).

Routes

The A-42 links Madrid and Toledo. From the UK, the best route to Toledo is a ferry to Bilbao or Santander. The distance to Toledo from these two seaports is 470km (294 miles) and 477km (298 miles) respectively.

Coaches

Eurolines (tel: +34 902 405 040, in the UK; www.eurolines.com) runs coach connections to major cities throughout Europe. Services from London's Victoria Coach Station to Madrid involve a change at Area Suco Interchange (total journey time - 15 hours 30 minutes).

Buses depart daily every 30 to 60 minutes for Toledo from Madrid bus station on Calle Méndez Alvaro. The trip takes approximately 75 minutes. The station in Toledo is just over 1km (0.6 miles) from the centre. Take bus 5 or 6 to the Plaza Zocodever.

Time to city

From Madrid - 50 minutes; Cuenca - 1 hour 50 minutes.

Travel by Rail

Services

Toledo RENFE, Paseo de la Rosa, is the city's railway station, with a charming little neo-Moorish booking hall.

Mainline train services  in Spain are fast and reliable. Frequent trains connect Toledo with Madrid.

Operators

RENFE (tel: +34 902 320 320; www.renfe.com) operates the Spanish railway network.

Journey times

From Madrid - 30 minutes.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

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Posada de Peregrinos

It's not exactly luxurious, but you'll be hard pushed to find a better value-for-money bed for the night in Toledo. What's more, it's set in a handsome historic building right next to the hulking medieval gateway Puerta de Bisagra, while the lady who runs the place is an expert on what to see and do in Toledo – and she likes to talk.

Parador Conde de Orgaz

If you have your own transport and fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of the admittedly tiny Toledo, Parador Conde de Orgaz just outside the city is a clear winner. Set in a stone building typical of the region, the property enjoys incredible views of Toledo below. The grounds are wonderful for a stroll.

El Refugio de Cristal

With extensive grounds, handsome rooms, fantastic views and a design that mixes the modern with the rustic, El Refugio de Cristal is one of the best casa rurals (rural houses) in the area. It's a bit of a way out of the city, which partly explains the modest price tag, but definitely worth seeking out if you want to combine a city break with a rustic retreat.

Carlos V Hotel

For a bit of old-time glamour, look no further than Carlos V – the likes of Rita Hayworth and John Wayne once stayed in this handsome property. Today the hotel prides itself on offering affordable accommodation in the heart of the city, with great views from its outdoor terrace, while the dining room, whose sweeping arches bear Arabic script, is a must-see.

Hotel Pintor El Greco

This charming and characterful 17th-century former bakery set around a courtyard and boasting light fresh modern colourful bedrooms enjoys a peaceful location in the Jewish Quarter of Toledo. It's named after the city's favourite painter, El Greco, whose museum is right next door.

Fontecruz Palacio Eugenia de Montijo

Toledo's newest luxury hotel is set in a medieval palace in a quiet street 200m (656ft) from the cathedral, is equipped with five-star classic French-style luxury bedrooms, a state-of-the-art spa and one of the city's top restaurants. It doesn't get much more glamorous than this for the price.