connecting time at Madrid airport

Assuming this is all booked on one ticket, the airline gave you a "legal" connection time, which means they think you'll make it.
I would not hang out at the airport five hours to avoid the risk, but I would check what time the next flights are, and consider if it would be an emergency if you were delayed or not. If it is a minor hassle, I'd take the risk.
I do expect you to have to hussle and sweat with an hour and a half at MAD based on my last experience there, but I think it is reasonable to expect you to make it. I always look at airport maps in advance if I am worried about a connection.

I dunno, I read an FT editor's piece a couple of weeks ago complaining about missing her connection at Madrid -- the title of the article was "Worst Airport in the World" - she felt pretty strongly about her experience (and has the platform to shout it to the world).

I fly through Madrid's Terminal 4 often. 90 minutes is fine for this connection.

Terminal 4S isn't really a separate terminal, but a satellite concourse from T4.

-Landing from Bologna, you'll walk to the center of T4 (it's a long line of a building) and find the elevators/escalators down to the train. (Not-great signage to go down makes this the biggest challenge of the transfer). I've timed the walk from one end to the center at 10 minutes, without using the travelators. Obviously, it would be faster to use them.

-Take the train to T4S. Board the train in the middle and cross to the door on the other side for the best positioning upon exiting.

-Exiting the train will funnel you to passport control, one level up. There's no other way to go.

-After passport control, you'll go up a couple of escalators and get dumped into duty-free.

-Leaving duty-free your options are left or right—it's another long line of a building. All of the AA flights are out of one end (the south) and the Iberia flights to the US are from the North end. You will hit a fast and easy passport check/security question line before you get into the area from which all Iberia's US flights leave.

Kim- I just read that article. She is ignorant, hyperbolic, and lacks intellectual honesty.

She doesn't detail the connection she made, but by her dramatic recount, she transferred from T1/2/3 to T4. It is nearly impossible to buy a single ticket that would create this transfer. I'd strongly suspect that she traveled on separate tickets and failed to do any research into the implications of that. With immigration coming AND going, to boot?!

We flew Iberia into Madrid from London 10 days ago and it took 2 hours to get through passport control as there was only one official on duty checking passports for arriving passengers. There was a separate line (well signposted) for people with connecting flights but that line also only had one official on duty.

The train shuttle was the easy bit. Very quick and efficient. We landed in terminal 4S and had to go to terminal 4 to collect our checked luggage and catch a taxi.

We flew Iberia into Madrid from London 10 days ago and it took 2 hours to get through passport control

The OP will be exiting Schengen, not entering at, what I imagine, was an off hour, and should have a significantly different experience.

Ninety minutes should be sufficient assuming your flight arrives on time. We try to have 2.5-3 hours layovers to allow for late departures, arrivals, or long immigration lines. At least it’s at the end of the trip so a worst case scenario is you take a later or next day flight. Being retired and an extra day wouldn’t affect us much, we almost hope the airline overbooked or we get to stay in the layover city overnight at the airline’s expense. Since we layover in London on most trips, we always take our Oyster cards and some pounds, just in case.

Scudder -- interesting !!!!

I believe you and not her !!

90 minutes is cutting it close as any delay on original flight will cause you to miss the 1 hour before departure threshold. If you are traveling with a checked bag that is to be picked up at the luggage carousel it ain't happening so have a plan B ready on catching a later flight if you miss it.

salsajoes—luggage would be checked through on an itinerary like this. No need to claim/recheck.

I found this link on another thread in the travel forum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0_-PL3nLes The video is from Road Trip Spain and Portugal and is extremely useful in picturing exactly how to navigate the Madrid airport. It can't promise that you will make the connection, but it will definitely increase your odds of success.

I would like to thank you all for sharing your experiences on navigating the airport at Madrid. After reading your replies and the youtube video, I decided to change my ticket. I'm only dealing with a 90 minute window to make my connection and I can't predict delays that can happen along the way. I rather not worry about it.

Your feedback was very helpful, in particular the the youtube video explaining the in-and-outs of the airport. Many thanks to all of you ... and safe travels!

I have a 70 minute connection Porto to DFW via Madrid tomorrow. Wish me luck!!! I saw the video and googled around for somewhat an idea. I do speak Spanish and am prepared to yell “tengo conexión y mi avión ya se va”

I have been to Madrid airport several times and 90 minutes would scare me. If its one ticket and your bags are checked thru to your final destination and your seated in the front of the plane and the plane is on time (a lot of ifs) you should be fine. I have seen so many people running to make their flight at MAD and of course not make the connection. I would opt for a longer connection time if you can. J

Good news everyone. I made it. I’m currently waiting to board.

A few things.

My initial flight from Porto to Madrid was barely landing at the time we were due to board. At scheduled departure time we had barely begun scanning tickets. We left 15 minutes late but still managed to arrive 5 minutes early (so luckily Iberia accounts for delays) I was seated in row 8 so once we got to gate it literally took 3 minutes to exit plane.

The confusing part was finding elevator to go down to TS4 from T4. I had to go down hall to elevator on left. But signs make it a bit confusing. For future travelers just follow direction of arrow even if it seems counterintuitive. I was hollering Spanish to everyone as I ran to elevator. I follow the posters advice and got in middle car. Ran again for escalator only handful people in front of me. The cars were full so luckily only waited 5 minutes at passport control due to my running. I could easily see the wait being 20-30 minutes if I walked it or was in back of line. There were 2 all passport lanes and 2? European passport lanes. Funnily enough the non European passport line was shorter when I arrived. No questions asked they stamped my passport. I was expecting to go through baggage security again so I kept running. I never did have to go through security again so luckily I made my flight. I’m guessing they consider the security done at Porto sufficient?

I am doing something similar, but in reverse, and have appreciated all of the posts! My son and I are traveling on a single Iberia ticket, landing in MAD from ORD (T4S) at 0800, then a 70 minute connection before our flight to BLQ (T4). We have carry-on only and will be sitting near the front of the plane , but have to get through passport control (US passports) and make it to our gate before doors close.
Iberia booked us with this tiny window, so I assumed it was fine, until I started reading posts/ horror stories about running through the airport, only to watch your flight leave without you :(
I've been obsessed with checking flight status on the flights we'll be taking - once 5 hour delay, but usually within 10 min of expected arrival...
Thanks for the advice and we will position ourselves in the middle of T4/T4s tram, see how it goes and hope for the best ;)

Simply put,, 70 minutes should be enough time to make connections at Madrid (MAD) provided your inbound flight arrives on time. On a single ticket, your luggage is automatically sent to your connecting flight. In Madrid there is only passport control so carry luggage doesn’t save you any time. Last month I had a similar connection at MAD to BLQ and it took less than 60 minutes. Follow the signs for your outbound Zone. Escalators going down will take you to passport control and the train to T4. Escalators up will take you to your Zone/gate. Just follow the signs…

What about connecting through Madrid from the U.S.?

If I read this thread correctly, it sounds like 90 minutes is fine when connecting from a Schengen country.

Iberia sells a ticket: LAX-MAD nonstop arriving in Madrid at 2 pm. Then a 90-minute connection to go on to Granada. Would you take this flight?

As much as the nonstop sounds nice, I am leaning toward connecting in DFW or JFK to arrive MAD much earlier. Then take the connecting flight or a train to Granada.

Thoughts?

CaliMom- I would take a 90-minute Iberia connection. I'd prefer a little more, but I wouldn't be particularly anxious about it.

I would agree with the last comment. 90 minutes is enough time to make your connection. Just make your way downstairs to passport control, then upstairs to your connecting flight. Knowing what zone your connecting flight leaves from is important when you leave passport control.