For our last night in Spain (in March 2022), I am considering staying in Toledo to enjoy our last night in a city that is supposed to be lovely at night, and then taking a car service from Toledo to the Madrid airport in order to get a flight that leaves Madrid at 1145 a.m. I know a car service is expensive but we're a family of 5 so train tickets for 5 is about the same cost. Does this plan seem doable?
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7162 posts
An 11:45 flight means arriving at the airport at 08:45. Depending on traffic, Toledo is 50 minutes -1 hour from the airport meaning you’d need to leave Toledo by 07:45. If you decide to stay there, a car service is probably the only alternative. For my wife and I, we always stay in Madrid the last night since there are multiple ways to get to the airport in the event one alternative doesn’t work out.
Toledo is delightful after the day trippers have gone home.
Posted by
Midwest
2768 posts
It should be fine as long as you do the car service. I dont think the train runs early enough to get you there. Book the car ahead, make sure they can accommodate 5 people and luggage. Plan on an 8:45 arrival at the airport. Id leave at 7 to be extra careful. This probably will mean more time sitting around the airport, but it beats the alternative of missing your flight.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11884 posts
google maps shows a car trip from Toledo to MAD to be 52-61 miles depending which route is taken.
It estimates the trip at an hour.
I would be surprised that a 60 mph average could be maintained. I would allocate 2 hrs for the journey.
If I were doing it I would look at how late I could leave Toledo and stay at a hotel near the airport , or one with easy access to the airport, and have a more relaxed morning to get to the airport.
Posted by
Folsom
2734 posts
By all means stay in Toledo. It’s delightful in the evening. Yes, you’ll wake up early and pay for a limo but it’s worth it.
Posted by
Vermont, USA
730 posts
I would do this for sure. Allow a good 90 minutes for the drive.
We’ve used Suntransfers a few times, including between MAD and Toledo, and find them to be dependable with reasonable rates. Book online at suntransfers.com.
Note that, depending on where you’re staying and the size of the vehicle, you may need to meet your ride at the parking lot at the bottom of the escalators.
Posted by
northern CA
2766 posts
It was Rick's recommended guide in Sevilla, Concepcion Delgado, who has been on his show several times, who set up a referral for me to a guide in Toledo that does amazing after-hours night walks -- we got to descend into an active archaeological dig, and on the other hand heard the latest gossip about celebrities and athletes who have homes that can be peeked into (or at least their yards)
Because of the fast train and the highway, Toledo has become for wealthy Madrileños like their version of La Jolla or Malibu here in CA.
The day trippers follow a standard route in town -- get a few blocks off the beaten path and Toledo really does glow.