hi all,
i will be flying into madrid in a few months and was wondering if bus or metro would be better to get to my lodging. i will have one smallish suitcase and a backpack, but nothing too unruly. any recommendations? thanks! desha

Hi desha, jer here.

If you are travelling light the Metro is better than the bus.

You can read till your hearts content at www.multimadrid.com/practical_info/transportation.htm#totown for my useful and fun info on getting from the airport to town. I leave no stone unturned on multimadrid

Also, as I know that you are staying at HOSTAL ARESOL, they have detailed directions for the metro route from Barajas to their hostel at http://empresas.arrakis.es/telisa/aresol/situacionuk.html

quote:

From the Airport (35min. aprox.):

1. Take the number 8 direction Mar de Cristal.
2. Take the number 4 direction Arguelles at the station of Mar de Cristal.
3. Take the number 2 direction Cuatro Caminos at the station of Goya.
4. Get off the metro at the station of Sol, then walk to Arenal street #6, 3rd floor. (2 min)

But their time estimate is a bit off, it takes more like 45 minutes to an hour when I do the same trip to deliver cellphones to renters at Barajas some mornings. My trip is usually from Puerta del Sol to the international arrivals terminal. The walk alone from the Metro entrance to the international terminal (the Metro at the airport only goes to the domestic terminal) or vice-versa is about 10 minutes alone.

It is not a bad trip at all if you do not have heavy luggage and is a learning experience.

Saludos,
jer...

jer,
i will check out those other spots for info.
i actually don't know where i'll be staying yet. i will be attending a CELTA course at international house madrid and don't have my housing sorted out yet. the metro it is
thanks, desha

Sorry desha, I got you confused with another board member who is staying at HOSTAL ARESOL

Oh well, at least you know how to get to the city from Barajas via metro now

Saludos,
jer...

Hi, Delsha, my daughter did a course there last summer and accommodation was provided in a shared apartment with other students, not far from Atocha station, check out if they can house you in similar style.

thanks,
i am planning on getting a shared flat, but i am waiting to hear back if one is available. everyone is on easter break now. it's probably not for this thread, but i would love to hear what she thought of the housing and the program in general.

good night! desha

Update to all thinking of taking a Taxi from the airport to the city, loads of taxi rip-offs all over the place, see THIS THREAD for details.

Saludos,
jer...

Hey Jer. Great message board! I'll be flying into Madrid at the start of September, and then heading straight to Sevilla for a bit. Can I buy bus or train tickets at the airport or do I have to get to the station somehow with all my stuff?

Thanks!

Hey Jochacha (love the screen name, sounds like a song :m: ). First and foremost, thanks for the kudos on my site/board and welcome to our little Spain lover's online community.

First, take the Metro from the airport to Atocha if if your bags are not too heavy and cumbersome. DO NOT GET IN A CAB and if you need more door to door transportation, make a reservation at www.aerocity.com If you need to get in a cab, see my TAXI SMARTS PAGE first.

Train & bus ticks to Sevilla are sold at theri respective stations:

1) Bus: Estaci�n Sur de Autobuses (see the "busses" section at www.multimadrid.com/practical_info/transportation.htm#travellingout for details). SOCIBUS is the company that takes you there and cheaply at that ( under $15 for the 6 - 7 hour ride).

2) Train: Atocha Station (see the "trains" section at www.multimadrid.com/practical_info/transportation.htm#travellingout for details). The AVE is the fastest way (2.5 hours) if money is not an object. The AVE super train leaves every hour on the hour, more at the very easy to use and complete RENFE WEBSITE

The only place I can think of at the airport that might sell them is the "Viajes El Corte Ingl�s" stand in the International terminal (T2), upstairs at departures. I will confirm next week when I go to the airport again for a cell phone delivery and will get back to you on it here

You are probably better off buying online (trains only) at https://w1.renfe.es/vbi/htvbiu00.html which is the RENFE online purchasing section. You will need to register with them as a client before you purchase.

Saludos,
jer...

Ok, so when does a hobby (this website) turn into a sickness?

This morning I think I crossed the line.

If you have Real Player installed on your computer, you can click HERE to see my newest (and probably most absurd ) video of the walk from the International (T2) arrivals terminal to the Metro at the airport.

Yup, I actually did it!

Saludos,
jer...

No, Jer, you are not sick. But if you were, you'd have what I have: "info-mania"(I have to be careful how I say this,or people might get the wrong impression ) I did not get the clearest of pictures, but it was nice to hear your voice. It has to be difficult to stride rapidly through the airport with a camera stuck to your head.

As the "father" of the board, you have helped so much with your "info" and videos---I wouldn't worry about going too far. There are lots of worse hobbies out there...

Jejeje, good to hear I am not ill

I think "info-mania" is when one feels the uncontrolable need to get all the info they can. I, on the other hand, do not get the info for myself but rather for others. Does that make it any better?

Saludos,
jer...

Hey Jochacha, Re your question a few posts up...

quote:

"Can I buy bus or train tickets at the airport or do I have to get to the station somehow with all my stuff?"

As promised, on one of my cell phone deliveries today to Barajas I asked about buying train and bus tickets at the "Viajes El Corte Ingl�s" counter at the Airport (Terminal 1, international departures) and here is the deal.

� You can buy train tickets for anywhere in Spain that the rail will take you

� No bus tickets are sold there, if you want to take the bus you have to get them at the bus stations

1 out of 2 is not too bad!

Saludos,
jer...

Thanks Jer, you're the best! I do think I'll take the bus (after reading other threads on your site it seems like the cheapest and maybe easiest way to go).

How far in advance do you think I'll need to make a reservation with Aerocity?

Thanks again!

De nada Jochacha

As for the Aerocity reservation, I am not sure what they requre but the sooner the better. I would say a week should be enough advance notice.

Saludos & happy trails,
jer...