Airport & Transport |
Airport and Transportation guide
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There are three airports in the Madrid area, one only dealing with domestic flights.
Arriving and Departing By Air Barajas Airport (tel. 91/305-8343, 91/305-8344, or 91/305-8345 for general information and information on flight delays) is 12 km/7 mi east of Madrid; it's a rather grim-looking facility, although the national terminal was recently renovated. Most connections on flights from the United States are through Miami, Washington, D.C., or New York, but American offers daily direct flights to and from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (reserve well in advance because they're very popular). Many carriers fly in from London and other European capitals daily.
Flying times: 7 hours from New York and 14 1/2 hours from Los Angeles.
Carriers
From the U.S.
Airlines flying nonstop to Madrid from North America are AeroMexico (tel. 800/237-6639); American Airlines (tel. 800/433-7300); Continental (tel. 800/231-0856); Delta (tel. 800/221-1212); Iberia (tel. 800/772-4642); and TWA (tel. 800/892-4141).
Three of the best known charter companies for flights to Spain are Air Europa (contact Spanish Heritage tel. 718/244-6017, 718/544-2752, or 800/221-2580), Oasis International (through Club Vacations tel. 615/373-7904 or 800/234-1700), and Toto Tours International (tel. 718/237-2312 or 800/676-7843).
From the U.K.
Contact British Airways (tel. 020/8897-4000) or Iberia (tel. 020/7437-5622).
Between the Airport and Town
By Bus
For a mere 4, there's a convenient bus to the central Plaza Colón, where taxis wait to take you to your hotel. The buses run between 5:40 AM and 2 AM, leaving every 15 minutes (slightly less often very early or late in the day). Be sure to watch your belongings, because the underground Plaza Colón bus station is a favorite haunt of purse snatchers and con artists.
By Taxi
Taxis are usually waiting outside the airport terminal near the clearly marked bus stop. Expect to pay up to EUR14 or even more in heavy traffic, plus small holiday, late-night, and luggage surcharges. Make sure the driver works on the meter, because off-the-meter "deals" almost always cost more.
By Train
Madrid has three train stations: Chamartín, Atocha, and Norte. Generally speaking, Chamartín (PHONE: 91/315-9976), near the northern tip of the Paseo Castellana, serves trains bound mainly for points north and west, including Barcelona, San Sebastián, Burgos, León, Oviedo, La Coruña, and Salamanca, as well as France and Portugal. Atocha (PHONE: 91/328-9020), at the southern end of the Paseo del Prado, provides AVE (high-speed) train service to Córdoba and Seville and regular service to points mainly south and east, including Segovia, Seville, Málaga, Córdoba, Valencia, Castellón, and Toledo. The Estación de Norte is primarily for local trains serving Madrid's western suburbs, including El Escorial. For schedules and reservations call RENFE (PHONE: 91/328-9020), or go to the information counter in any of the train stations. You can make reservations by phone, charge your tickets to a credit card, and even have them delivered to your hotel. Most major travel agencies can also provide information and tickets.
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