CESA
Blog

Learn Spanish in Salamanca

Accommodation in Salamanca

There is a great choice of accommodation in Salamanca, and best of all, all the options available are within easy commute on foot from the Spanish language school.  So there is no risk of being late for classes in the morning!

>  Host family / Private households
>  Shared student apartments
>  Student residences
>  Private Apartments
>  Hotels in Salamanca 

>  Travel advice

Host family / Private households

Students can choose to stay with local hosts, in single or shared room accommodation, on a half or full-board basis. Living with local hosts provides a good opportunity to practise your language skills out of class. Hosts are usually between 10 and 25 minutes walking distance from the School.
Breakfast and lunch (half board) or breakfast, lunch and dinner (full board).
Sheets and towels are provided. Laundry is included (excluding ironing). Bring your own beach towel.
Shared rooms - Only available to friends or couples booking together

A home-stay is a unique opportunity to improve your Spanish outside the classroom and to engage with local life. It is quite natural to feel a little shy or unsure about where to put yourself at the beginning, but most students bond quickly with their hosts and enjoy being looked after. Often students strike up friendships with their host mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, enjoying days or nights out and exchanging addresses for future contact.
Living with hosts doesn't mean you completely relinquish your independence. You are given a key and can come and go as you please, providing that you are considerate about letting your family know if you plan to be out for lunch etc.
Families come in all shapes and forms: some have young or teenage children, other have elderly parents staying at home, some are ladies on their own who have lots of time to dedicate to their foreign guests. The bottom line is that they are friendly and welcoming… and will speak to you in Spanish!

Please let us know if you have specific requests; non-smokers, no pets or if you are a vegetarian.

You are likely to be sharing your hosts with another foreign guest of a different nationality, or a Spanish student lodger. This ensures more Spanish practice!

Shared apartment

Shared self-catering apartments offer more independence and personal responsibility. It is fun to live with other Spanish school language students or in some cases, with Spaniards. Students are responsible for feeding themselves, doing their own laundry, cleaning the flat and for putting themselves to bed!

Bear in mind that you will have to make an effort to ensure that the common language in the flat is Spanish. But all of the flats have a TV so students can carry on listening to Spanish while relaxing at home. Student apartments in Spain resemble student flats (so think basic!) in most European countries and this means décor and facilities are not as nice as your family home or Apart-hotels you might have stayed in while on holiday, however the flats are cleaned prior to a new student's entry and equipment/furniture are checked. Student apartments sleep approximately 4 to 6 people, with a shared kitchen, bathroom(s) and usually a sitting room. Sheets are provided (but not towels). Shared rooms - Only available to friends or couples who book together.

Please note : Parties are strictly forbidden and permission must be sought from the school for houseguests (for whom there is a charge). The school will always aim to house people according to age and stage.

Student Residences

Residences provide rooms with shared or ensuite rooms with half board or full board. All are within 10 minutes walk from the Spanish language school in Salamanca and the city centre (so no commuting issues!).

Description & Facilities
Offered to students aged 17yrs of age, or older.
Shared rooms - Only offered to friends or couples booking together.
Residences range in size from the small (15 people) to the large (100 people). All the residences offer free wireless internet facilities, a TV room and a kitchen or corner with a fridge and microwave for student use. Laundry is included in the price quoted. In the smaller residences there is usually just one choice of meal offered (though there is always a vegetarian option too). The residence with private bathrooms has the biggest variety at mealtimes including 3 choices of starters and mains and a salad bar. Character & Residence life
Although there may be Spanish students living at the residence as well as foreign guests this does not mean there will be lots of chatting and mixing so if your aim is to practise your Spanish as much as possible, CESA recommends host/private household accommodation. If, however, you are independent and self-confidence and want to come and go as you please then a residence will suit you well.

Private Apartments

Apartments have one or two bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom and sitting room. They are suitable for couples, families and single travellers requiring complete privacy. We recommend if you are interested in this option
that you book well in advance as there is limited availability.  Sheets are provided (but not towels).

Hotels

There are plenty of Hotels to choose from, so if you wish to take this option, please let us know your budget or style of Hotel you'd prefer and we'll make some suggestions for you. 

Travel

Arrive: Sunday PM
Depart: Saturday AM

School Bus Transfer

The Spanish school transfer bus, (like the public direct bus) offers a direct service from Madrid airport to Salamanca. Its principal advantages are that it is usually accompanied by a member of staff and that hosts or another member of school staff will meet students from it, on arrival in Salamanca.

Please note:
A) The bus leaves Terminal 1 on Sundays at 17.00hrs.
Please plan for your flight to arrive at the latest by 15.30hrs to give you time to get your luggage and change Terminal if necessary. The bus cannot wait for late flights. If you miss it, you will need to then make your own way by public bus from Madrid to Salamanca.

B) The return journey from Salamanca to Madrid departs Salamanca on Saturdays at 09.00hrs, so don't book a flight back home for before 13.30hrs (or you won't make Check In).

C) In order for the Transfer to run, the Spanish school requires a minimum amount of confirmed participants. In the unlikely event of cancellation we will arrange your transfer on alternative transport and advise you accordingly.

What to do on arrival at Madrid Airport:
On arrival you should go to the Coach parking lot. This is to the left of the general car park as you go out of Terminal 1. If you have arrived in Terminals 2 or 3, follow the signs to Terminal 1. If you have arrived at Terminal 4, catch the free green transfer bus to Terminal 1 (travelling time approx. 10 minutes) which leaves from the bus rank outside the terminal building, opposite the main doors every 5 minutes.

Travelling time from Madrid Airport to Salamanca is about 2 hours and 45 minutes. On arrival in Salamanca the bus will be met by the hosts. Students living in apartments or residences should go directly to their accommodation on foot or by taxi (allow approximately 4-8 euros for this part of your trip).

Private Taxi Transfer

Available from either : Madrid or Vallalodid Airport to your accommodation in Salamanca
The Spanish school will arrange for you to be picked up from your arrival gate (or any other point of your choice), and brought straight to your accommodation. The taxi-driver will be holding a sign, with your name on it. Similarly, you might wish to be driven to the airport or elsewhere at the end of your stay.

Making your own way...

Public Bus from Madrid

Direct Bus Madrid Airport - Salamanca
This service is extremely convenient as it offers a direct service from the airport to Salamanca. It is available every day. It avoids the centre of Madrid and avoids the expense of a taxi if you can't face the metro. They go every 2 hours from 13.00 till 21.00 (but on Mondays the first bus doesn't leave until 11.00hrs). So if you miss one it is usually worth waiting it out at the airport for the next. Note if you have pre bought your seat it is not refundable if you miss the bus for whatever reason. On arrival at the coach station in Salamanca you should make your own way to your accommodation. The duration of the journey from the airport to Salamanca coach station is 2 hours 45 minutes. Buses are quite plush and have Wireless (which tends to come and go a bit).

Timetables:
Madrid airport – Salamanca coach station: 
11.00 (only on Mondays), 13.00, 15.00, 17.00, 19.00, 21.00.

Salamanca coach station – Madrid airport:
6.00 (Mondays), 7.00 (Monday to Saturday),
8.00 (Sundays), 9.00 (Monday to Saturday), 10.00 (Sundays), 11.00 (Monday to Saturday), 12.00 (Sundays), 14.00 (daily), 16.00 (daily).

Non Direct Bus , Madrid Coach Station - Salamanca
To get to the coach station:
1)  Take a taxi from the airport asking for the "Estación del Sur". The price for the taxi should be around 30 to 35 Euros and it takes about half an hour. Tell the driver that you need an official receipt ("necesito un recibo oficial perforado") so he is not tempted to cheat.

2)  Alternatively, take the metro from the airport to metro stop Méndez Alvaro. The price for the metro is 2 Euros and takes about 45 minutes. You have to change line at "Nuevos Ministerios"

3) If you're flying into Barajas Terminal 4 you might consider taking the new high speed train link to Chamartín train station (11 minutes) or the Central bus station in Méndez Alvaro (21 minutes). Don't forget though that you also have the option of transferring to Terminal 1 and taking the coach direct to Salamanca.

Timetables:

Madrid-Salamanca : 7.00 (not on Sundays), 8.00, 9.00, 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00, 16.00, 17.00,18.00,19.00,20.00,21.00,22.00, 23.00 (only Sundays).

Salamanca-Madrid: 6.00 (not on Sundays), 7.00 (not on Sundays), 8.00, 9.00, 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00, 16.00, 17.00, 18.00, 19.00, 20.00, 21.00 (Fridays and Sundays), 21.30 (not on Fridays and Sundays), 22.00 (only Fridays and Sundays).

Ticket Costs:
These cost 22.80 euros for the express bus (2.5 hours) and 15.38 euros for the normal bus (3 hours) and 19.85 euros with the train (2.5 – 3.0 hours) each way to Madrid.

You are well advised to be vigilant of your possessions at the coach station and on Madrid's metro.

Public Bus from Valladolid

Public Direct Bus, Valladolid Airport - Salamanca
Valladolid's airport is called Villanubla and is located 10 kms from the city and 120 kms from Salamanca. At just over 1,5 hours away this is an interesting alternative to Madrid's Barajas airport if you can find a flight that suits you. Almost all the airport's international flights are operated by Ryanair (Milan, Paris, London-Stanstead, Brussels/Charleroi).

Timetables:
Valladolid Airport - Salamanca
From Monday - Saturday: 12.30 (Arrival 14.30) and 17.30 (Arrival 19.30); Sundays: 15.00 (Arrival: 17.10) and 17.30 (Arrival 19.30).
Salamanca - Valladolid Airport (Villanubla)
From Monday - Saturday: 09.00 (Arrival: 10.55) and 15.30 (Arrival: 17.25).
Sundays: 15.30 (Arrival 17.25)

Non Direct Public Bus Valladolid Airport - Valladolid Coach Station - Salamanca
If these times don't fit you can also go via Valladolid coach station. There is a shuttle service between the airport and the Coach station, every 90 minutes which costs 3 euros.

Timetables:
Valladolid Coach Station - Salamanca Coach Station
From Monday - Saturday: 8.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.30, 17.00, 18.00, 19.00 (only Fridays), 20.00, 22.00 (only Fridays)
Sundays:  11.00, 15.30, 18.00, 19.00, 20.00, 22.00.

Salamanca Coach Station - Valladolid Coach Station
Monday - Saturday: 6.30, 9.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.30, 16.00 (only Fridays), 18.00, 20.00, 22.00 (only Fridays)
Sundays:  9.00, 11.00, 15.30, 18.00, 20.00, 22.00.

Ticket Costs:
9 euros with the bus and 8.55 euros with the train each way to Valladolid.

Public Transport via Train

Train, Madrid Chamartín - Salamanca
If your flight times don't fit the direct coach services from the airport to Salamanca you may be deciding between taking the coach or the train from the centre of Madrid. Why pick the train? The journey time is about the same but the train ride is more scenic. The train station is a little less expensive to get from the airport by taxi. But they are a lot less frequent than the coaches so you might be in for a bit of a wait at the train station and get stuck towards the end of the day.

To get to the train station either:
A) Take a taxi. Ask for "Estación de Chamartín" (Chamartín Train Station). The price for the taxi should be around 25-30 Euros and it takes about half an hour. Tell the driver that you need an official receipt ("necesito un recibo oficial perforado") so he is not tempted to cheat.

B) Alternatively take the metro from the Airport (there are 2 metro stations, one for Terminal 4 and one for Terminals 1,2, and 3). Take line number 8 until "Nuevos Ministerios" and there change for line number 10 (Final station is Hospital Infanta Sofia) and the train station is the 4th stop (Chamartín). A metro ticket from the airport to Chamartín costs 2 Euros and it takes about 30 minutes.

C) If you're flying into Barajas Terminal 4 you might consider taking the new high speed train link to Chamartín train station (11 minutes) or the Central bus station in Méndez Alvaro (21 minutes). Don't forget though that you also have the option of transferring to Terminal 1 and taking the coach direct to Salamanca.

Train Departure Times
Madrid - Salamanca: Daily: 08.45, 11.14, 13.44, 15.45, 17.08,18.38, 20.06, 21.13
Salamanca-Madrid: Daily: 05.50, 07.53, 9.58, 12.30, 14.52, 15.41, 17.55, 19.59.

Journey time: about 2 hours 45 minutes

Ticket Cost:
19.85 euros each way by train.

Course Finder

Enrol Now

Special Offers

Brochure Request

• Contact Us
• Client Zone
• CESA newsletter

CESA Blog