Barcelona and Madrid questions

Posted by tagsaleaddict on 02/28/24 06:42 PM

Hi, I have a few questions regarding my 2 week trip to Spain in the beginning of April.
1. Can I use the toilets in Starbucks for free without paying for something?
2. Do you think it's possible to get tickets to The Picasso museum, Park Guell, and Casa Batllo the day before I want to go? I have so many things booked in advance my trip insurance is always going up, and I would like to know the weather before I book.
3. When should I arrive at the Granada airport for my flight to Barcelona?
4. When should I arrive at the Atocha, Madrid train station to catch my AVE to Granada?
5. Could I get tickets for the The Madrid Palace the day before?
Thanks for your advice!
Karen

Posted by Jazz+Travels

Chicago

02/28/24 07:28 PM

8165 posts

Probably but some Starbucks you need to get a passcode from the people that work there to access the toilet.
Yes, but maybe not at your preferred time; no if you are traveling in June July August
Treat it like you do when flying domestically in the USA.
One hour if you've never been to Atocha otherwise 45 minutes before departure; they usually start screening baggage and boarding 30 minutes before.
Yes, but maybe not at your preferred time.

Posted by Kenko

Citizen of the World

02/28/24 07:38 PM

2014 posts

Here’s what I can tell you about a couple of your questions after being in Madrid and Barcelona recently. I do not think you can rely on being able to buy admission tickets the day prior to visiting Barcelona’s Picasso Museum, Casa Batllo or Park Guell. These are all top attractions and some days there are 20,000 cruise ship passengers arriving in Barcelona and planning to see the same places you have in mind. In addition to the cruise ship passengers, there are thousands of other visitors also wanting to see those attractions in the 6th most popular city among travelers in Europe.

Booking the first time slot when an attraction
opens will allow you to get inside promptly and enjoy it in relative peace before the lines begin backing up and there are delays in entering the attraction at the appointed time on your admission ticket. ( I saw line backups beginning even by 10am).
As for when to arrive at Madrid Atocha train station—which is a very large train station that was undergoing construction when I was there— If you’ve already bought your train ticket, I would plan to arrive at the station 30 minutes before your train’s departure
You’ll find you need to walk quite a distance from the curb outside the station to arrive at the platform your train is departing from. If you are taking a high-speed train, you will need to have your luggage put through an x-ray machine at the security checkpoint for high-speed trains.
Have a great trip!