4 hours at MAD
Sep 20, 2009 | 11:26 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: North America
Posts: 22
Hello! In January, have 15.25 hours in MAD, from 10:15 a.m. - 1:30 a.m. (next day) before continuing on to JNB. Luggage should be checked through, and I should have my boarding pass.
Never have been to Spain before, not familiar with Metro.
Probably don't want to get back to airport any later than 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.?
Would appreciate suggestions...
Thanx !
Never have been to Spain before, not familiar with Metro.
Probably don't want to get back to airport any later than 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.?
Would appreciate suggestions...
Thanx !
Sep 26, 2009 | 10:16 am
#17
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: BA, bmi, USAir, Aeroplan, AirBerlin, Marriott, SolMeliaMas, BAAWorldpoints
Posts: 793
Buy a one day Tourist Pass at any machine at an airport metro station (T1/2/3 or T4), currently 5.20 euro.
Take line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios (end of line).
Transfer at Nuevos Ministerios to Sol on Renfe Cercanias line. (Sol is one of the most important plazas in Spain.)
At south west corner of Sol (near the McDonald's) look for the Bus Turistic sign. Pay onboard (17 euros for one day, I think). There are two routes and you can hop on and off. A truly excellent way to see Madrid if you're a newcomer!
That's my recommendation!
As for the rest, buy a decent guidebook!
Take line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios (end of line).
Transfer at Nuevos Ministerios to Sol on Renfe Cercanias line. (Sol is one of the most important plazas in Spain.)
At south west corner of Sol (near the McDonald's) look for the Bus Turistic sign. Pay onboard (17 euros for one day, I think). There are two routes and you can hop on and off. A truly excellent way to see Madrid if you're a newcomer!
That's my recommendation!
As for the rest, buy a decent guidebook!
Oct 3, 2009 | 6:05 am
#18
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Barcelona, Catalunya
Posts: 2,194
You could leave central Madrid as late as 11pm without problems. Until that time the area around the Plaza del Sol will offer plenty of bars and restaurants to keep you occupied. (Do not be afraid that the city will be dead at that hour...)
In the worst case I would take a taxi back to Nuevos Ministerios, and then the Metro, to avoid any connections.
Oct 3, 2009 | 2:14 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: BA, bmi, USAir, Aeroplan, AirBerlin, Marriott, SolMeliaMas, BAAWorldpoints
Posts: 793
Would it be easy to get a taxi at that time, though? Even though the last metro departures are around 1.30am, buses typically stop a couple of hours earlier (I know there is a night bus network) and I can imagine great demand for taxis in places like Sol.
Oct 6, 2009 | 1:24 pm
#20
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA Explat
Posts: 397
I would definitely leave the airport if I had my boarding pass and did not need to check baggage.
Sol is no longer a pain to get to. Nuevos Ministerios is around 15 mins from T1/2/3 (longer from T4) on the metro; from there take a Renfe Cercanias train to Sol (should take around 3 minutes). From memory you need lines C3 or C4 (check on www.renfe.es). Be sure to buy a one day tourist pass at the metro ticket machine (currently 5.20 euro) as a regular metro ticket is not valid on Renfe trains.
From Sol (seen as the geographical centre of Spain) it's only a short walk down Calle Mayor to Plaza Mayor and a little farther to the Palacio Real.
In my opinion, to remain at the airport would be a waste of an opportunity!
If you still have doubts, why not visit Barajas (the town)? That's one stop away on the metro (from both T1/2/3 and T4).
Sol is no longer a pain to get to. Nuevos Ministerios is around 15 mins from T1/2/3 (longer from T4) on the metro; from there take a Renfe Cercanias train to Sol (should take around 3 minutes). From memory you need lines C3 or C4 (check on www.renfe.es). Be sure to buy a one day tourist pass at the metro ticket machine (currently 5.20 euro) as a regular metro ticket is not valid on Renfe trains.
From Sol (seen as the geographical centre of Spain) it's only a short walk down Calle Mayor to Plaza Mayor and a little farther to the Palacio Real.
In my opinion, to remain at the airport would be a waste of an opportunity!
If you still have doubts, why not visit Barajas (the town)? That's one stop away on the metro (from both T1/2/3 and T4).
Oct 15, 2009 | 12:42 am
#21
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: BA, bmi, USAir, Aeroplan, AirBerlin, Marriott, SolMeliaMas, BAAWorldpoints
Posts: 793
From the metro station at T4, as little as 30 minutes, I'd have thought.
(I have noticed confusing signage at Nuevos Ministerios. When getting off the metro, find the escalator up to the next level. The signs past this point, for the Renfe Cercanias, are clearer.)
(I have noticed confusing signage at Nuevos Ministerios. When getting off the metro, find the escalator up to the next level. The signs past this point, for the Renfe Cercanias, are clearer.)