<p>My D and her BF will be traveling to Spain in July. Question–if you had 12 hours in Madrid (flight from US lands at 7:10am…possible flight out to Menorca leaves at 7:30PM) what would you do in the city?
Also, trying to arrange cheap flights from Madrid to Menorca has been interesting Cheapoair.com is not quite as perfect as originally planned. Has anyone used Ryanair or Vueling airline?
I am a great mom, but a marginal travel agent…and yes I helped with the air arrangements because the D’s new credit card did not have a big enough limit to purchase the tix! Don’t worry–I have her check in my hand! The helicopter has landed.</p>
<p>I can’t help you with the flights but with things to do.</p>
<p>Go to the Prado museum. It contains some of the finest pieces of art in the world. I am not that big into art but I was impressed and would go again. Also, get Rick Steves book or go to his web site. We did our own walking tour with his books and visited the nuns and bought cookies from them (that was an experience as we didn’t speak Spanish). Eat in the cafes in the Plaza del Sol and visit the palace. I love Madrid. Great city.</p>
<p>My son flew on Ryanair last summer. Other than lower weight restrictions on luggage, it was fine.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info! Onward, My D is a museum freak and also said that seemed like a good thing to do!
Toledo- I did notice the list of extra fees on Ryanair. 44 lbs of luggage for 35euros is high…we will have to make sure to compensate for all of this when we compare fares! Glad he thought it was an okay airline!</p>
<p>Ryanair is the Spirit Airlines of Europe - they charge you for everything possible and somethings you didn’t think possible. I believe they once proposed charging to use the toilet, but were quickly shot down.</p>
<p>My daughter used Ryanair and EasyJet when studying in Spain. She preferred EasyJet but was OK with Ryanair. Besides all the extra fees, check each flight’s carry-on policy.</p>
<p>My son just bought some ridiculously cheap plane tickets on Ryanair and Vueling. Now I have a better idea of why they were so cheap.</p>
<p>We liked the hop-on, hop-off bus. But that would be tough with a short stay and luggage. </p>
<p>The Prado was wonderful. We went after 6pm when free - there was a long line, but it moved quickly. We also enjoyed Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace, Reina Sofia musuem, palace.</p>
<p>Our travel snafu happened when SpanAir went out of business. Our United frequent flier leg between Madrid and Barcelona was no longer possible, so we had to swizzle the routing.</p>
<p>My daughter flew Vueling from Vienna to Barcelona and reported that it was totally fine. I don’t remember all the details, but I don’t believe there were excessive baggage fees for her carry-on.</p>
<p>they are hoping to land at Madrid and then check their bags with whatever airline they use…even though their flight might not be until 12 hours later. Opinions on that scenario please? I suspect it it 11 more hours that your bags could get lost/stuck in Madrid airport. But maybe it will be okay? Then there is no bag schlepping around Madrid which is ideal.</p>
<p>My d just was in madrid in the fall for study abroad I will ask her to post.</p>
<p>There are lockers in terminals 1 ,2, and 4 at Barajas. Make sure to check if you come and go from the same airport. </p>
<p>Fwiw, I would most definitely book an inexpensive hotel close to the airport or check for one that offers a day rate around Puerta del Sol. Having to kill time for 12 hours after a night flight is quite hard. The best 100 dollars or euros one can spend.</p>
<p>I have explained the …“you will be completely exhausted” saga to them. On one trip to Europe I arrived absolutely pooped…the next time we just went out the door and functioned on adrenaline. I will suggest even a day pass at the airlines executive club! Quieter for a nap I would suspect.
And yes, their flight to Menorca is out of the same airport–the giant terminal 4 though!</p>
<p>Unless you have a high level travel card or travel business/first, the access to the best lounges in Madrid will be very limited. Check with your airlines, but be aware that the employees in Madrid will NOT extend any courtesy “day pass.” The minimum level for Iberia/American Airlines is Platinum. That is OneWorld Sapphire. Ruby won’t cut it! </p>
<p>There is a paid lounge, but it really is not worth the money as it is very basic and small. Internet access is also limited and expensive. While the cafeterias are quite good, the prices are high, except for coffee. All in all, spending more than a couple of hours at the airport is not very pleasant in Madrid, and this despite the airport being very efficient and clean. </p>
<p>Checking at a very reasonable hotel next to the airport is a much better deal. For example, this chain of hotels offers a shuttle service and is very convenient to a large commercial center. Both hotels are next to each other. Very modern and very comfortable. The cost should be about 100 dollars. </p>
<p>[Axor</a> Hotels (Official Website) – Save up to 80% when book directly to our website, Madrid Hotel](<a href=“http://www.axorhoteles.com/feria/]Axor”>Hotel Axor Feria | Madrid | Ifema | Web oficial)
[Axor</a> Hotels (Official Website) – Save up to 80% when book directly to our website, Madrid Hotel](<a href=“http://www.axorhoteles.com/barajas/]Axor”>Hotel Axor Barajas | Madrid | Aeropuerto | Web oficial)</p>
<p>From there, after taking a shower and a short nap, one could easily navigate to the city, via a taxi or even via bus a metro. After spending a few hours in Madrid, retreating to the hotel to kill the last couple of hours will work great. Again, the mall next door will have plenty of restaurants and stores where one can buy baguettes, fresh fruits, meat, and shellfish. </p>
<p>Of course, getting a day rate at a hotel next to the Puerta del Sol or in Samalanca might work just as well. What I would not do is plan to spend much time at the airport, and count on the lounges.</p>
<p>They can take the yellow bus for 2 euros. It makes two stops; the first near the Prada and the last is the Atocha train station. All the main tourist attractions are then within walking distance, including Ritero Park.
[Madrid</a> is User Friendly: Madrid airport express bus](<a href=“http://madridisuserfriendly.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-airport-express-bus.html]Madrid”>Madrid is User Friendly: Madrid airport express bus)</p>
<p>Second the yellow bus. It’s easy and cheap. </p>
<p>As for RyanAir: Have your daughter read the luggage restrictions and FOLLOW THEM. European carryon sizes are smaller than the US standard, and they check everything except backpacks. (If your D has a smallish backpack the trick is to keep it on, look innocent, and face the people who go down the line with the rack they use to check the size of bags - don’t turn your back! They check every rollybag, but backpacks can usually skate by, even if they’re a little oversized.) They should weigh their checked luggage before they go. RyanAir will weigh it and will charge for overweight (a lot.) When we flew RyanAir last fall our bags paid more than we did for the flight. But if you follow the rules it’s quite cheap. If not - well, we saw lots of people paying big overweight and oversize charges.</p>