I'll be taxing a taxi from Toledo to Madrid airport Wed morning and I've just learned there may be traffic disruptions due to NATO summit. Anyone have more info or suggestions? I assume the driver will know how to handle it?? Thanks!
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4180 posts
I posted about this last week:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/spain/nato-summit-disruption-in-madrid-on-june-28-30
Just a heads up that Madrid will host a special NATO summit from June 28 and 30. More than 40 heads of state are scheduled to attend. Security will be extra tight with an extra 10,000 Police officers being deployed and the potential for a no fly zone being declared over the city.
The government of Spain is also studying the possibility of reintroducing controls at its land borders in the days leading up to the summit, a measure provided for under certain circumstances in the Schengen Agreements, to “detect and prevent the entry into Spain of any person who may be a danger to the summit,” said Interior Ministry sources.
In terms of tourism disruption, there will be VIP events at the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum, the Royal Theater, the Reina Sofía Museum and the Royal Glass Factory of La Granja (Segovia). These last three locations will host different cultural events for the companions of the attending leaders. Around 20 hotels scattered around the city will provide accommodation for the more than 2,000 international visitors expected at the gathering.
The NATO summit will significantly affect mobility in Madrid, admitted sources at the Interior Ministry, who recommended using public transit whenever possible. In addition to the traffic snarls that will be caused by the motorcades moving across the city, and the closure of lanes on some main roads, authorities are considering whether to suspend Metro service on the 8 line, which has a stop near Ifema.
The ministry has recommended that businesses headquartered in the area allow employees to work from home for the duration of the summit. The Prado Museum, where a dinner event is scheduled for June 29, will remain closed that day and the day before to finalize preparations.
more info
Posted by
California 🦋
5294 posts
What time is your flight?
If there’s a ton of traffic, taxi driver will not have much choice.
I’d suggest you leave early before traffic starts.
Other options to consider:
take the train to Atocha station then hop on the Cercanias C1 or C10 (commuter train) directly to airport- Terminal 4
If your flight is in the morning, or early afternoon, consider staying at a hotel close to the airport with shuttle service.
Let us know if you need airport hotel recommendations.
Enjoy beautiful Toledo, my favorite medieval city!
Posted by
California 🦋
5294 posts
Just curious. How did it go?
Did you have any trouble getting to the airport on Wednesday?
Thanks!
Posted by
OP
SHARON, Massachuse, United States
25 posts
It all worked out well. The taxi picked us up at 7AM. (1PM flight) It took a little over an hour to get to the airport. There was a lot of traffic - not sure if that was regular rush hour traffic, or related to the NATO summit. We did not notice any increased security at the airport. All went well. Wish we were back in Spain!
Posted by
California 🦋
5294 posts
Thanks for the update. It’s good to hear that it all worked out well.
How did you like Toledo?
Toledo, along with Córdoba, are my favorite cities in Spain!
I hope you share a trip report here!