I am thinking about taking the metro from the airport to puerta del sol --- is this do able or will I regret it --- I will have a rolly bag and backpack --- I will be traveling about 1330 on a saturday. I just want to make sure that I wont get half way and regret it because of crowds or dealing with difficult train changing

How much time do you have to spend in Sol?

Taking line 8 to line 4 (Mar de Cristal) and Line 4 to Goya and finally line 2 from Goya to Sol is doable in about an hour.

If you are only doing this for a couple of hours or only one day you can leave your stuff in a locker at the airport and then take the metro into the center and then go back by metro as well when you are done.

There is also a regular special service bus that covers the gap between Colombia nad Mar de Cristal if you want to go from the airport to Mar de Cristal on line 8, then take the special service bus to Colombia and continue on the metro line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios and then line 10 to Tribunal and finally line 1 to Sol.

Also for 19 euros you can be driven by shuttle van to wherever you want to go in Madrid from the Airport with your stuff by www.aerocity.com

There are still plenty of options. The best one depends on you and the time you will spend in Sol.

I am going to be staying in Madrid for a week

In the case of staying a few days to a week or even longer, the best way to come into the center if you have too much luggage for the metro is to use the Aero City shuttles ( www.aerocity.com ) for about 19 euros for one person and even cheaper per person when you have 2 or more.

The hotel Petite Palace you are talking about is just around the corner from Puerta del Sol and the Plaza Mayor.

but if you only have a backpack and a roly bag, the metro is fine! also on saturday, it tends to be not very crowded. you can use the time to consult your map.

also do follow this route as part of the metro is shut down: Taking line 8 to line 4 (Mar de Cristal) and Line 4 to Goya and finally line 2 from Goya to Sol is doable in about an hour.
(the bus from columbia to nuevos ministrios is a mess and very confusing, even for people who live here! the metro is straightforward. and you only need one tix)

oh..when you buy your metro tix in the barajas station, buy a "bono" of ten trips for 5.65...it saves money because the individual trip is 10 euros.

watch your belongings on the metro. the ratty little thieves like to target folks with suitcases and try and take advantage of your confusion. when you get inot the metro, push up against one of the walls, keep your hand on your bag and you'll be fine...they only like to rob easy targets...so if you are alert, they will go elsewhere.

at sol, take the salida: Calle Mayor...at the top of the exit, veer left. there is a street with a macdonalds there. it is calle mayor. veering up and left of that is a pedestrian road (there is a bank on one side and a clothing store on the other)...take that to get to your hotel. i think it will be the first or second left. again, theives prey in this very touristed area, so be alert and if you have to pull something out of your pockets (map, etc), position yourself against a wall first.

your location is perfect for touring the city! you will have so much fun! and don't forget to visit the cuevas under plaza mayor...on the opposite side of where you are staying. they are cave bars under the plaza. i like "meson de guitarra" if you go around midnight, you'll probalby catch the "tuna" playing. they are wandering minstrels in tights that play ukelele-like instruments. very fun!

Thanks Candy, for repeating exactly what I said two posts ago and elaborating on it.

It is good to see that I guessed right the first time even if I did not go into as much detail as you and let the people reading these threads benefit from it.

jejeje...i have an excuse! i am procrastinating on my work, plus i am right now writing about public transport to/from airports in mad and bcn!!!

Candy - 10 trips bono costs 6.15 already... and individual trip 1EUR.

thank you all for the great help --- I will be traveling with a friend who studied in madrid 10 years ago and so I know I will have fun--- I already have reservations at Botin, and an planning to visit meson champion on a regular basis (the hotel is close enough I can stumble home) ---as for the thieves we have them here in the states--- one thing I have learned --- put your map in a shirt pocket so you are not digging for it --- make sure that all pockets / zipperrs ect... are either empty or you have a constant eye on them. Only carry small amounts of cash --- thats what ATM's are forand only carry your passport and one creditcard --leave the wallet at home. One other hint --try to look like the locals.

Again thank you