Help! Has anyone recently been to Madrid and can offer advice as to the best way to get to my hotel and approximate costs. I'm staying at Hotel Plaza Mayor. I haven't been able to find any recent information on this subject. A few years back there are recommendations for aerocity.com that cost around 20-25 euro, i looked it up today and the cost they quoted is 66 euro. I'm fine with the old prices but not the new. This will be my first time to Madrid so i don't mind paying a little more but i was hoping it wouldn't be that expensive. Are taxis cheaper or is this the price to expect for convenience? How difficult/easy is it to use the metro? After a long flight from MN i expect to be tired and jet lagged.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
The Aero City van booth is right across from the farmacia in Terminal 1. It does, indeed, cost 20 euro, and takes you right to the door of your hotel. It is a shared van service, though, so you might not be the first dropped off - depends on where everyone is going. I was first out, and it took right at 30 minutes. I was just there in May. Taxis do cost more. (BTW, the 60 euro price you saw was for the limosine service, not the van.)
Posted by
S.F. Bay Area, CA, United States
1878 posts
The metro is extremely easy, inexpensive, and takes about 45 minutes. http://www.metromadrid.es
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23242 posts
But the metro requires a two changes which is inconvenient.
Posted by
San Jose, California, U.S.A.
117 posts
Tracy, I stayed close to Plaza Mayor on my last trip to Madrid.
I used the Airport Express(believe it is 5Euros now) and got off at the second stop the bus makes-Plaza de Cibeles. Walked to nearby Metro(believe it is the Plaza de Cibeles station) and took it to Puerta del Sol. The airport express runs every 15 minutes and has luggage racks near the center of the bus and you get to sightsee Madrid on your way to the centro.
Posted by
Windsor, CO, USA
54 posts
Tracy, here is the website of the Madrid Airport Express, the bus serivce that costs 5 euros:
www.esmadrid.com/en/barajas-airport-express We took the Metro from Atocha out to our last-night hotel near the airport in May of this year. It is fast and efficient, but it did require 2 line changes, and LOTS of walking/stairways. There is also a surcharge for the last bit of the line that actually services the airport. Coming into Madrid from Barajas, the hotel we stayed at had its own shuttle service, the timing of which worked well for us.
Posted by
OP
Saint Cloud, MN, USA
50 posts
Thanks for all the replies! It's so good to hear from people that have traveled there.
Posted by
Richmond, VA, United States
16 posts
Yes, the metro is fast, and if you can manage the transfers, is really pretty fast. Just WEAR YOUR MONEY BELT. And be sure not to lose your paper tickets so you can exit the metro at your destination.
Posted by
Richmond, VA, United States
16 posts
Yes, the metro is fast, and if you can manage the transfers, is really pretty fast. Just WEAR YOUR MONEY BELT. And be sure not to lose your paper tickets so you can exit the metro at your destination.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
Lou, what did it cost you to take the metro once you got off the bus at Plaza de Cibeles?
Posted by
San Jose, California, U.S.A.
117 posts
Nancy, the cost of the metro is 1.50Euros. The metro station is actually Banco de Espana on the 2 Line. After Banco de Espana is Sevilla and after Puerta del Sol. So a very short ride. Enjoy Madrid! P.S. Going there in October for $794 SFO/MAD on U.S. AIRWAYS.. Couldn't turn that down. I could've gone in Sept. but found it a bit hot that time last. So trying October.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
We used the Metro and thought it was a good choice. It costs the regular Metro fair, I think it was about 1.50 euro, plus a one euro bump. We limit ourselves to one carry-on only so we can take advantage of a quick dash out of the airport and use public transportation into town. If you have a lot of bags, the Metro may be a hassle. You probably have two changes to get into town - depending on where you are trying to reach - and at least one of them is a much longer walk than you would expect in a Metro station.
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
The hotel website has a section that gives directions for various ways to get there.
http://www.h-plazamayor.com/madrid-centro/
Posted by
San Marcos, Texas, USA
1 posts
Hey Tracy, We just returned from a trip to Madrid/Spain and flew into Madrid. We are a family of six with four children. Since it would require two taxis we opted to take the bus from the airport to Atocha and then switch to metro. Taxi was about 35 euros per taxi. Looking back this is the second european trip we have done this (last one being to Paris). I have finally learned my lesson. With the jet lag and luggage , I would definitely recommend taking a taxi. Both times we have been victims of pick pockets on the metro. We used the metro all throughout our trips and in London but on that initial trip into the city when you are most vulnerable, tired, trying to figure out the system of money and metro etc, then it is best to just get to the hotel via taxi and spend the money. Then later use the metro to get around knowing that there are lots of pick pockets targeting travelers. I had the Rick STeve's money belt on this trip and didn't even take a purse. However they got into my backpack. Nothing there to steal but in our son's backpack they got his old iPhone we were planning on putting a sim card in and using it as a wifi device. Our bad for being so out of it and being a victim for the second time. Just be aware though that it is all around you. Have a great trip, carry a money belt, use the taxi from the airport and enjoy Spain. It is so beautiful and a wonderful country!
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3095 posts
If you want to avoid the metro issues just take the Aerobus to Cibeles or Atocha (2 euros each) and taxi from there.