I just tried to purchase tickets to Madrid on the Ave from Malaga. Turns out a late night MESA (Discounted fare!) is available the night prior, but would put us arriving in Madrid at 23:00 I know the city is alive and well at that time.... Should we stay in a hotel right near Atocha or will transportation to a place closer to Puerta del Sol be easy this time of night? Hard to pass up the discounted tickets - but traveling with a family of 4. Thanks!
Posted by
Rick Steves Europe
353 posts
It shouldn't be a problem arriving this late. Most Madrileños will just be finishing dinner or out on their evening paseo, so there will be lot's of people out and about. I'd take a taxi from the train station to your hotel. You will find a line of them waiting outside the station.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15582 posts
From Atocha, you can still get a Cercanias train to Puerto del Sol (it's sometimes listed as VodaSol or Sol). Then take the elevator up to street level. If you take the metro, it takes longer, is usually more crowded, and you'll have to climb at least one flight of stairs to street level. Or a short taxi ride to anywhere central.
Note that the MESA fare is for the FOUR end seats in the car, facing each other with a table between them. From the Renfe site: "The four seats are sold together at a 60% discount of the general fare, although they may be occupied by a fewer number of passengers if desired, as long as the total fare for this offer is paid." (Italics are mine.)