We are flying into Madrid arriving at 2:40 pm (14:40). We need to get to Toledo as quick as possible because we need to check into our hotel by 6 pm (18:00). If I figure i can get through customs in an hour. that only leaves me about 3.5 hours to get to our hotel. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Washington DC
27122 posts
Trains make the run from Madrid-Atocha Station to Toledo in 36 minutes. Other alternatives (bus, rental car, taxi) would take considerably longer. The airport is northeast of Madrid, while Toledo is south of Madrid.
There are a lot of ways to get from the airport to Atocha Station downtown: train, subway, bus, taxi. Since you'll be hopping on a train in the end, I'd tend to favor taking a train from the airport to Atocha. You can buy the necessary ticket(s) all the way to Toledo at the airport train station. With time tight, I wouldn't want to have to do that at Atocha Station.
There is a potential complication here: The express trains to Toledo require seat reservations, so the tickets are for specific departure times. And the trains sometimes sell out. It is possible you could be free to hop on a train in plenty of time to meet your deadline, but not be able to buy a ticket due to a sell-out.
What date are you planning to head to Toledo?
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6548 posts
Last September it took us 1.5 hours to get through immigration where it’s normally under an hour. Driving from the airport to Toledo, if you chose that route, takes an hour; longer if you make a wrong turn and are unfamiliar with Toledo.
No idea why you must check in by 18:00, but I’d message the hotel and let them know there’s a chance you’ll arrive later. If 18:00 is firm, maybe you could find a different hotel. Our last couple visits to Toledo we stayed at Hotel María Cristina and for an upcoming trip we’ll be at the Parador a couple miles outside of town.