Overnight flight from Chicago at 7:45AM with a 7 hour 50 min layover. Would it be worth it to get a hotel room? Or what else would you do?? Flying on to Zurich at 3:40pm.
Posted by
11570 posts
Hotel room would be a treat but not necessary. Do you have airline club privileges with your ticket?
Posted by
Midwest
2768 posts
If you get through immigration reasonably fast you have time for a trip into Madrid.
Let's say you are out the airport door by 8:45. The bus into the city will drop you at Atocha. Say it's 9:45. You can then go to the Prado, or Retiro Park, or Plaza Mayor or whatever. Hang out there, maybe get a fast lunch, head back to the airport by 1:00 (check bus times or get a cab to be sure). You are back to the airport by 1:30 - 1:45, in plenty of time for your flight to Zurich.
3 hours in Madrid is more fun than staying at an airport for 8 hours!
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2988 posts
Check to see if the airport has Day Rooms that rent by the hour, usually in 2 hour blocks, which are designed for transit passengers in your situation. Many international airports have them. Some have shower facilities too - guaranteed to help you feel human again.
The price can be pretty reasonable, especially if you've just staggered off a sleepless all night flight.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2988 posts
Found the link. Looks like the day rooms are available in 3 hour chunks between 10 AM and 6 PM: http://www.premium-traveller.com/en/airports/madrid/air-rooms.
They do offer rooms with a shower.
Maybe walkabout for an hour or so after your early arrival, grab breakfast in the terminal, and then check into the facility for a 3 hour nap.
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Thanks, the room for 3 or more hours sounds great plus our fright to Zurich leaves from Terminal 4, same location as the rooms. THANKS AGAIN, Jim