So I need to get back to Madrid to fly home. I'm in Italy close to Milan. I got a flight from Milan to Madrid, but it gets me there around 10am, and I fly out the next day around 6 am. I really don't want to get a hotel. Can I just get my checked bag and go back in the airport and hang out? I have audiobooks to listen to. I've already toured Madrid when I first arrived. Am I odd to hang out the airport, or is there a better idea?
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
With that much time, I would rather spend the day at a park. Returning to the airport in the evening, that would be more than enough time in an airport for me! Good luck!
Posted by
Des Moines, IA
2193 posts
20 hours at an airport would be enough to make me go berserk like that Jet Blue FA. If it were me, I’d go back into Madrid to do anything for a day, spend the night there, and then have a shuttle pick me up the next morning for the early flight. Barajas is huge…have you checked into whether or not you can have access to one of the airline lounges, even if they charge a day use fee? You won’t have a problem finding a seat in a gate area somewhere, but spending that much time there sounds terrible. The shops/places to buy something to eat won’t be open in the middle of the night.
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1600 posts
What you propose to do seems like a huge waste of time and opportunity. Just because you have been to Madrid doesn't mean there isn't more to see. I would jump at the opportunity to go back into the city and pony up for a hotel room. You do have a very long flight(s) the next day - why not be well rested even if you have to spend some more money.
On this board, we are constantly moaning about how we don't have enough time and vacation to spend in Europe. However, you seem willing to throw away a full day. Just my 2 cents.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23622 posts
You will not be the first. Have no experience with the Madrid airport but the Rome airport, Frankfurt, and London airports always have many over night guests. It could be boring.
Posted by
naches, wa, usa
182 posts
the metro in madrid is one of the best in europe. you are really close to the prado museum, the palace, plaza del sol, etc. maybe stow your bags in a locker at the airport then head downtown. conversely, it is a huge airport. not heathrow huge, but gigantic none the less. i bet you could kill 8 hours in the airport easy, and it would be pretty fun. you could sleep the remainder, or eat and drink, then drink and eat. have fun, be safe