We are scheduled to arrive in Madrid at 9:35 am, then departing on a flight to Granada at 12:00. Was just notified they changed our flight to leave at 15:55 instead - so we will now have a SIX hour + layover in the Madrid airport!
Questions:
Worth it to try to drive instead? May also look at the train but now it is expensive.
Is there something we can do around the Madrid airport during that time? We will have our luggage with us.
Thanks for any advice about either changing transportation options or what to do in/at/near the Madrid airport.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2768 posts
If the flight to Granada is booked on a separate ticket, you can get a refund on the ticket since the change is in excess of 3 hours. Then, you can rebook an earlier flight to Granada. www.Skyscanner.com has fares and schedules
Alternatively, check www.TheTrainline.com for high-speed trains. There are some trains even in the next few days that have €50 tickets available. You can also check Renfe’s website which may list more trains.
Good luck!
Posted by
Surrey, UK
293 posts
Road takes between four and five hours, so by the time you've dealt with the airport and got the car, so no time saving.
If it was me, I'd take a book and have a good lunch while waiting.
Or take the train.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7659 posts
If this is coming off a long-haul flight, I wouldn’t even consider a 4.5-5 hour drive, even though it is an easy one. Then there’s the issue of finding your lodging and parking in an unfamiliar town. As one who always rents a car, I’d rule it out.
The closest town I’d consider visiting is Alcalá de Henares, but it’s 30 minutes away. By the time you went through immigration, got transportation, and went there, you’d only have a couple hours at most for visiting before having to return to the airport. That’s not nearly what it deserves.
The six hours is assuming your flight departs on time. If you need to change terminals in Madrid that will take up some time. If your case, I’d just stay in the terminal.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2755 posts
I wouldn’t drive after a long flight. I would be looking at other flight options, even if it requires a separate ticket.