Omio train travel

What train did you book, and which type of ticket did you get?
Omio is a third party, but the ticket should be one issued direclty from the system of the operator you travel with. So it should have references on it to the operator, the ticket type and the conditions etc...

It is thru Renfe. Our plane is set to land at 2:30 and train leaves at 4:30. Would changing it to 5:30 be a safer bet?

Change it if doesn't cost too much more. Madrid Airport and Atocha train station are big, lots of walking to get where you want, but the signage at both is good.
It depends on what kind of ticket option you decided to pay for.
The more expensive ones are usually flexible refundable and changeable with a fee or not in case you miss the train.
The cheapest ones are usually non-refundable in any case you miss the train and if you change it there is usually a fee plus the current cost of the ticket.

Very helpful info, I really appreciate it! I found where it says I can change it once for free, second for $10 and if I miss it, i would purchase a new ticket at 30%. So if u had to change it- is 5:30 a reasonable time?

3 hours is better when I am not familiar with an airport and how to get to the city to catch the next scheduled train to my ultimate destination after a flight arrives.

Plus, if it is a weekday, it will be rush hour and the Cercanias trains can get backed
up going into downtown Madrid.

If you do take the Cercanias train, it can be a bit confusing finding the long distance
platform and there is an xray bag check which may have a line. All reasons to pad
the schedule a little.

Lastly, the mode of xport into Madrid is potentially different depending on which
airline/terminal you fly into. So check that, or provide that info here and someone
can probably assist.

We are flying in on American Airlines- I think it is also in T4.

Madrid Airport’s T4 (Terminal 4) is where the Cercanias commuter trains depart every 15 minutes for downtown Madrid and Atocha train station. Look for the sign that says “Aeropuerto T4” directing you downstairs one floor. There is a C1 and a C10 train line but it does not matter which one you get aboard— they all go to Madrid Atocha train station. The trains take 33 minutes to reach Madrid Atocha once the train departs as it stops at only 5 stations en route. Tickets bought from machines cost €2.60 and it’s always a good thing to bring €2 coins just in case the machine can’t process your credit card. KEEP YOUR TICKET all the way to Atocha train station because you have to use it two times— first to pass through the turnstiles at the Airport to board the train and then again
at Atocha at the exit turnstiles. This is the usual situation throughout Spain.
There is a massive construction project going on now at Madrid Atocha train station that requires more time to get to your train, which is another reason to allow more time than usual. Two hours after your flight is scheduled to land to get through the airport to your Atocha train is a bit tight. It could work out, but 2.5-3 hours is a safer bet and you won’t be in a panic if there are any unforeseen delays.
If you are boarding a high--speed train such as an AVE, IRYO or Ouigo, your luggage must go through a security checkpoint which simply involves putting your luggage onto a conveyor belt which moves it through the machine just like at an airport. Your luggage- not you- is all that is screened by the machine. There usually is a line for this and, while it may take just 5 minutes, one never knows how many travelers may be in the security line ahead of you.
Have a great trip!

Fantastic info! Much appreciated! I have a request in to move my ticket time back an hour!