9 hour layover in MAD - can I leave the airport?
Mar 25, 2024, 3:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 876
9 hour layover in MAD - can I leave the airport?
Hello folks! I have an upcoming flight EZE-NAP with a 9 hour layover in MAD. I was hoping to be able to leave the airport, just taking my personal item on me. Will IB make me pick up my checked bag and re-check it again? Am I allowed to leave the airport?
My layover time will be about 11am-8pm. I am hoping to grab a meal and a drink (or two). If I were to check into a hotel/lounge/day room for some rest after my meal, any suggestion?
Thank you!
My layover time will be about 11am-8pm. I am hoping to grab a meal and a drink (or two). If I were to check into a hotel/lounge/day room for some rest after my meal, any suggestion?
Thank you!
Mar 25, 2024, 5:07 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA, AF
Posts: 10,129
With 9 hours, your bag can stay checked in. Yes, you can leave the airport. You don't really have that much time - if you abide by the "lunch at 2pm" rule, and have a leisurely lunch, you won't be done before 3:30-4pm, so only have about two hours to kill. I'd probably sit in the Retiro somewhere, or one of the many hotel rooftops.
Mar 26, 2024, 4:40 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Madrid
Programs: IB+ Oro / OWS
Posts: 492
On one ticket your checked bags will go to NAP (no choice).
You are allowed to leave the airport.
Recommend you take the train to recoletos, walk 5-10min to Mercado Paz to have brunch at Casa Dani then hang around the Salamanca-Retiro area, head back to airport by 4pm and rest at the airport paid lounge (assuming no entry to Iberia lounge), the airport lounge only allows entry 4 hours before departure. If you have entry to Iberia lounge then go straight to lounge to rest first before heading out to Madrid.
You are allowed to leave the airport.
Recommend you take the train to recoletos, walk 5-10min to Mercado Paz to have brunch at Casa Dani then hang around the Salamanca-Retiro area, head back to airport by 4pm and rest at the airport paid lounge (assuming no entry to Iberia lounge), the airport lounge only allows entry 4 hours before departure. If you have entry to Iberia lounge then go straight to lounge to rest first before heading out to Madrid.
Mar 27, 2024, 8:25 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 876
Recommend you take the train to recoletos, walk 5-10min to Mercado Paz to have brunch at Casa Dani then hang around the Salamanca-Retiro area, head back to airport by 4pm and rest at the airport paid lounge (assuming no entry to Iberia lounge), the airport lounge only allows entry 4 hours before departure. If you have entry to Iberia lounge then go straight to lounge to rest first before heading out to Madrid.