Hey Jer! I have to be in Spain by Aug. 28th for school at UMC, and have been given the oppertunity to take a group flight from Chicago on the 27th. The problem is that this flight costs $775! There is an open return date with this flight though, as long as I return before Aug. 27 of 2003. I think I can find a cheaper flight, but I'm not sure I'll get the same open return policy. How hard would be for me to arrive alone and get a cab to my dorm? I have been given directions on what to tell the cabby when I get there, but I know I'll be flustered. Do you think I can get a better flight, and what do you think about my arriving alone? Thanks for your help!
Lulu

Hi lulu,

I am really torn here on this flight question.

On one hand, the 365 day open return is a great thing to have and on the other, I am sure you can get a cheaper deal than $775 whopping smackerooooos!

Arriving and getting a cab to your dorm is not a problem but odds are the cabbie will try to rip ya off as almost all of them do.

See my recent thread on Widespread Taxi rip-offs HERE for an enlightening read.

I would recommend that you make a reservation at www.aerocity.com for the airport shuttle instead fo taking a cab, SERIOUSLY!

If you let Aerocity know where you need to go when you make the reservation they will know exactly the way to get you there.

Saludos,
jer...

Lulu-

Believe it or not, I found great deals on Priceline, and it had good airlines and times. I brought mine from a travel agent (I am going May-December) and they charged me like $1,100. I then was doing pricing for a friend who is visiting in August, and the travel agent gave me a price of $900. So I went on priceline, bid $500, it got rejected, but then bumped it to $525 and they took it! The amazing thing is, it was basically they same flight time (1 stop, but not a long lay-over) and arrival time as I had purchased for myself earlier!

So try priceline ( www.priceline.com ), it also may be cheaper where you live. I am in Illinois, so there are always connections you have to make. If you live in a big city, you could just get a direct flight and it will be less money.

Kyle

Thanks for the advice! I sent my check for the pricy flight today But the cheaper flights I found didn't have that open return date, and I really wanted that option. I remember reading on your site about the trouble with cabs, and I'll take your advice on taking a airport shuttle. Thanks for giving me the web site for the shuttle! I am getting so excited about going. This message board, and yor site Jer, have been SO MUCH help. I feel like I am a little ahead of the game with what I have learned.
Gracias
Lauren

Hey Jer, one question. I wanted to book the Aerocity, because it does sound like the way to go. If I am going to the St. Louis Univeristy Campus (Calle De Valle) what "zone" am I going to?

If you check on the booking page they give you zones to choose from, but I have no clue what zone I'm in! thanks for your help!

Kyle

Hi kmoore81!
Your rate "zone" for Avenida del Valle, Saint Louis U, would be "zona centro-hoteles" and the price for 1 or 2 persons would be 14 euros, total, or 17 euros if sunday, holiday or night service.
Have a nice trip to Madrid and ride to your place!

Hey Kyle, looks like you got the final word right from the horse's mouth so to speak

Thanks aerocity!

Saludos,
jer...

What time of year was that $525 price accepted by PRICELINE? I just bid $675(and you can add on enough "extras" to make it a grand total of $786! ) I thought that was relatively inexpensive from Michigan(this is DTW-MAD, so I'll have to get up to San Sebastian and back to Madrid if they accept it--- The lowest I ran across otherwise was $900.99. Wish I had read this thread before making my offer! Thought my initial one might be too low to accept---guess not, huh?

Soooo, I may be there as early as Aug.28 and leave on or a day before or after Sep.23---Almost a whole month. That means I will need interim lodging plus transport hither and yon.

Luckily, I don't mind buses one bit, plus I have a bathroom "down the hall" at home: one of the last American homes with only one bathroom just like the home I was raised in.

One way or another, I hope to be seeing you "madrile�@s" in the late summer/early fall. So happy to see water in the estanque once again.


LATER THAT SAME DAY: Of course they accepted it, grrrr. I am a dummy! Right on the email, it snidely told me I only saved 22%!! Departing flights not too bad: One connection in Atlanta. I arrive at 8:20A August 30. Is the bus from Barajas still under five bucks? Still go to Plaza Col�n? My best bet would be to take a night bus from Madrid(sleep cheap)after spending a delightful day with some of you folks. The tour I'm managing begins Sept 2 with me meeting folks at the Sondika/Sondica airport near Bilbao, ends Sept 20 with me waving the second set of foodies off toward their homes.

Now wish me well translating the recipes!

Hey, at least coming through Madrid you get to see me

Saludos,
jer...

Hey there! I got that for a week in August. I think prices are a bit higher for longer stays over a month! I got that same flight, Chicago to Atlanta, Atlanta to Madrid.

At least you saved 22%, and at least you're coming to Madrid! Who knows, maybe we'll bump into each other!

Kyle

Yeah, Kyle and Jer, there is consolation in knowing I'll be there at the start and end of my "job" managing the food tours.

I'll be checking the lodgings threads next for the end of my stay, as there are a couple of days between seeing the participants off at their planes in Bilbao and boarding mine in Madrid.

I checked the night train(Costa Vasca)which leaves Madrid 10:45P and arrives around 7A at not too much more than the bus, with "literas". It didn't say which station it leaves from(Chamart�n maybe?). You can't reserve this far in advance; apparently there can be a schedule change in June---perhaps they add more trains for the tourists. Any additional info greatly appreciated.

Sounds like a great trip Sue. I have one suggestion. Avoid "literas" at all costs. We purchased tickets at Atocha for travel to Barcelona (10 hours / literas) and purchased our tickets from Barcelona to Granada (9 hours /literas) at the same time. As soon as we arrived at Barcelona we IMMEADIATELY upgraded our Granada tickets to Prefierente for maybe $20 more per person. We took literas thinking we would save money and we did, but a lousy nights sleep (if you can call it that) is NOT worth it. It was truly awful. Anyway, we learned a lesson. RENFE trains are great. Your going on a great vacation, don't cheap out on your train ride north. Buen viaje.

Ditto on that "literas" thing Prado

I took a group from Granada to Barcelona on the night train in early August a few years back and it was horrid. Uncomfortable, hot (no AC) and just plain old aaaaaaaarggggghhhhh!

I had 30 screaming/complaining teenagers which made it even less bearable on top of it all

When the train stopped the only pleasant thing (the breeze) stopped as well and it was hot, hot, hot!

Did I mention it was H.O.T.

Loking back we all would have slept more in a regular seat and paid less.

Saludos,
jer...

Hey Lauren/Lulu--just read your posting and I am also going to be studying at UCM this year. I had your same dilemma of whether to fly with a group or alone (our group price was $1028 though!). I have a really cheap ticket so even though I'll be arriving a few days early, I'm sure I'll be able to entertain myself .

This will be my first time in Spain so I would love to tag along with some friendly folks who are familiar with Madrid. I'm probably arriving around the 24th of August so if anyone's out there, drop me a line!

Lisa

I am looking for a flight for August or even July 2002. Traveling from Upstate NY to Madrid has been in the $1200 - $1800 price range. I can knock off $300 if I can get myself to NYC. If anyone sees advertized specials for summer flights, please post them. I prefer to book directly with the airline. Thank you.