5 hours at MAD - what to do
May 14, 23, 1:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: BA Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 241
5 hours at MAD - what to do
I find myself with a 5 hour wait between arriving at T4S and flying on to Barcelona from T4. I’m wondering if anyone can recommend any area near the airport to go for lunch and a beer? I don’t want to go downtown ideally as that might be just slightly too far for the time I have.
Also, I read about the Air Shuttle Service between MAD and BCN - is this a ticket type or a concept in general? Might I be able to change to an earlier BCN flight on the day, and where in T4 would I ask? I don’t know exactly what category my ticket is, but it must the most heavily discounted business class fare bucket. OW Emerald if that makes any difference.
Many thanks!
Also, I read about the Air Shuttle Service between MAD and BCN - is this a ticket type or a concept in general? Might I be able to change to an earlier BCN flight on the day, and where in T4 would I ask? I don’t know exactly what category my ticket is, but it must the most heavily discounted business class fare bucket. OW Emerald if that makes any difference.
Many thanks!
May 14, 23, 2:16 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,608
Air Shuttle is much more expensive than the ticket you bought for a specific flight. (even though you are indeed sharing the same aircraft) You can't just show up and talk your way onto an earlier flight. OWE is irrelevant.
Of course, it doesn't hurt to ask, but expect a no. I've actually gone to the Air Shuttle check-in (as OWE) once before with a normal MAD-BCN ticket and been sent back to the "regular" check-in desk, so IME they are quite protective of the perks you pay for with an Air Shuttle ticket.
5 hours is indeed not great, but you can certainly take the Cercanias train to central Madrid for a wander around. There's nothing at all close to the airport that would be any better than the T4 lounge. (or faster than the train FWIW)
Of course, it doesn't hurt to ask, but expect a no. I've actually gone to the Air Shuttle check-in (as OWE) once before with a normal MAD-BCN ticket and been sent back to the "regular" check-in desk, so IME they are quite protective of the perks you pay for with an Air Shuttle ticket.
5 hours is indeed not great, but you can certainly take the Cercanias train to central Madrid for a wander around. There's nothing at all close to the airport that would be any better than the T4 lounge. (or faster than the train FWIW)
May 14, 23, 4:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: LCYJFKGIG
Programs: BAEC - Gold, OWE
Posts: 132
I find myself with a 5 hour wait between arriving at T4S and flying on to Barcelona from T4. I’m wondering if anyone can recommend any area near the airport to go for lunch and a beer? I don’t want to go downtown ideally as that might be just slightly too far for the time I have.
Also, I read about the Air Shuttle Service between MAD and BCN - is this a ticket type or a concept in general? Might I be able to change to an earlier BCN flight on the day, and where in T4 would I ask? I don’t know exactly what category my ticket is, but it must the most heavily discounted business class fare bucket. OW Emerald if that makes any difference.
Many thanks!
Also, I read about the Air Shuttle Service between MAD and BCN - is this a ticket type or a concept in general? Might I be able to change to an earlier BCN flight on the day, and where in T4 would I ask? I don’t know exactly what category my ticket is, but it must the most heavily discounted business class fare bucket. OW Emerald if that makes any difference.
Many thanks!
Also as OWE you should be able to get into the Iberia lounges which have decent views and food. You can also try to change the ticket there, but in my experience those agents aren't as helpful with things like ticket changes. Good luck!
May 14, 23, 8:32 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,072
5 hours is about the worst amount of time possible. If you take the train into town you can probably make in in 45 minutes or so but keep in mind coming back the train can be notoriously unreliable for punctuality so I say 2 hours of wandering around. As mentioned the area around the airport is really quite spartan so not much to be had around there. Personally, I'd just download a movie to watch in the lounge
May 15, 23, 2:25 am
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
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Despite what the other guy posted. I went to the One World business class ticketing desk which is landside terminal 4 main building. They were able to put me on an earlier flight to London despite my ticket being cheap economy O. They did charge me €30 change fee however, so it is worth a shot.
But as I said, there's absolutely no harm in asking.
May 15, 23, 5:24 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: BA Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 241
Thanks for all the really helpful replies.
Is there an outdoor terrace at any of the lounges in T4(s) (in addition to OWE, I also have Priority Pass/Amex Plat), or even a landside restaurant/bar?
That would make staying at the airport a much easier decision.
Is there an outdoor terrace at any of the lounges in T4(s) (in addition to OWE, I also have Priority Pass/Amex Plat), or even a landside restaurant/bar?
That would make staying at the airport a much easier decision.
May 15, 23, 7:03 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2022
Programs: Amex Platinum
Posts: 26
My advice, take the Metro Line 8 direct to Nuevos Ministerios, it's the AZCA financial district not the historic centre (think, Canary Wharf). You can then walk a couple blocks to the Ponzano street, lots of very nice and hip restaurants in that area. Enjoy a good meal at a place like "Candeli" or "Lana". "RavioXO" is in AZCA itself, from the same chef as famous "DiverXO".
If you get off at the previous station, Colombia, I can recommend the restaurant "Sagrario Tradicion".
Timing works well. It takes 1h to get off the plane, onto the Metro and arrive at Nuevos Ministerios. 2 hour meal. 1 hour to get back to the airport and you've still another hour to get to your gate. Easy.
May 15, 23, 7:21 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LGW
Posts: 544
The town of Barajas is one stop on the metro from T4 and has various cafes/bars/restaurants, though probably not as luxurious as central Madrid.
I don't have recommendations but Google maps shows plenty.
It's also walkable from Terminals 1/2/3.
I don't have recommendations but Google maps shows plenty.
It's also walkable from Terminals 1/2/3.
May 15, 23, 3:08 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: The Airport
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 183
In 5 hours you can go downtown for a meal.
My advice, take the Metro Line 8 direct to Nuevos Ministerios, it's the AZCA financial district not the historic centre (think, Canary Wharf). You can then walk a couple blocks to the Ponzano street, lots of very nice and hip restaurants in that area. Enjoy a good meal at a place like "Candeli" or "Lana". "RavioXO" is in AZCA itself, from the same chef as famous "DiverXO".
If you get off at the previous station, Colombia, I can recommend the restaurant "Sagrario Tradicion".
Timing works well. It takes 1h to get off the plane, onto the Metro and arrive at Nuevos Ministerios. 2 hour meal. 1 hour to get back to the airport and you've still another hour to get to your gate. Easy.
My advice, take the Metro Line 8 direct to Nuevos Ministerios, it's the AZCA financial district not the historic centre (think, Canary Wharf). You can then walk a couple blocks to the Ponzano street, lots of very nice and hip restaurants in that area. Enjoy a good meal at a place like "Candeli" or "Lana". "RavioXO" is in AZCA itself, from the same chef as famous "DiverXO".
If you get off at the previous station, Colombia, I can recommend the restaurant "Sagrario Tradicion".
Timing works well. It takes 1h to get off the plane, onto the Metro and arrive at Nuevos Ministerios. 2 hour meal. 1 hour to get back to the airport and you've still another hour to get to your gate. Easy.
May 16, 23, 11:49 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: BA Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 241
May 17, 23, 6:16 am
#15
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Brexile / Tokyo
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 177
