Madrid, Spain — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
Madrid Barajas Airport
Tel: 90 240 4704.
Website: www.aena.es
Barajas airport is located 12km (8 miles) northeast of Madrid. The award-winning terminal 4, which consists of a new terminal building, a satellite building and two new runways, opened in 2006.
Airport facilities: Facilities include two banks, several bureau de change, ATMs and a post office. There are more than 30 restaurants, cafes and bars, and over 100 shops (including duty-free) at the airport. There are information and help desks located throughout the airport, as well as two left luggage offices, pharmacies, nurseries and a medical service center in terminal 1. Travel agencies and tour operators are also represented. There are five fully-equipped meeting rooms, as well as a conference and business center, located in terminal 4 and VIP lounges in all terminals. Car hire companies include Avis, Europcar, Hertz and National Atesa.
Transport to the city: The Madrid Metro Line 8 connects the airport with Madrid's city center station Nuevos Ministerios in the heart of Madrid's financial district; the metro also provides links to stations on the Spanish railway network. A public bus service also runs between the airport and Madrid (Avenida de América station): bus 200 (red bus) stops outside the baggage reclaim area of Terminals 1 and 2; bus 204 (red bus) stops outside the baggage reclaim area of terminal 4. Taxis are available from the airport (journey time - 15-30 minutes); passengers should make sure that the meter is turned on at the beginning of the journey. Passengers are advised not to accept any offers of taxis made inside the terminal building. Taxi ranks are situated in front of the Arrivals areas of all terminals.
Approximate flight times to Madrid: From London is 2 hours 15 minutes; from New York is 7 hours; from Los Angeles is 11 hours; from Toronto is 7 hours and from Sydney is 27 hours 30 minutes.
Getting There By Road
Traffic in Madrid drives on the right. Speed limits are 120kph (75mph) on motorways and 50kph (31mph) within towns. Foreign visitors require a valid driving license to drive in Spain. National licenses from EU countries are accepted, while nationals of other countries are advised to obtain an International Driving Permit. Third-party insurance is required and documents should be carried at all times. A Green Card is strongly recommended for all visitors and is compulsory for those from outside the EU. Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE) (tel: 90 240 4545; www.race.es) has reciprocal agreements with the AA and RAC in Britain and the AAA in America. * The speed limit on motorways in Spain has temporarily been reduced to 110kph (68mph). The new limit will remain in effect until the end of June 2011 at the earliest. The slowdown is intended to save energy in response to the surge in oil prices sparked by the unrest in Libya and elsewhere in the Arab world.
Emergency breakdown services
RACE (tel: 90 240 4545). Alternatively, drivers in distress can contact the Ayuda en Carretera (Help on the Road) (operated by the Guardia Civil) on the roadside SOS telephones, who will contact the breakdown services.
Routes to the city
Motorways radiate outward from Madrid. The NI links Madrid to the French border (via Burgos and Irún), the NII to Barcelona (via Zaragoza) and the French border. The NIII weaves its way to Valencia and Alicante, the NIV to Seville and Cádiz, the NV to Badajoz at the Portuguese border (where the A6/E90 continues to Lisbon) and the N401 to Toledo. There are also three ring motorways, M30 and M40 and M50.
Driving times to the city
From Barcelona - 7 hours 30 minutes; Seville - 7 hours 45 minutes; Lisbon - 8 hours 45 minutes.
Coach services
Estación Sur de Autobuses, Calle Méndez Alvaro 83, is Madrid's most important bus terminal for long-distance coach travel. Destinations served include Albacete, Avila, Alicante, Toledo, Barcelona, Benidorm and Santiago. ALSA (tel: 91 327 0504; www.alsa.es) provides coach services to other Spanish cities. Eurolines (tel: 91 506 3360; www.eurolines.es) has services to major cities throughout Europe and further afield, including Basel, Berlin, Fez, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Lisbon.
Getting There By Rail
Mainline services in Spain are frequent, reliable and efficient. It is essential for travelers to book ahead for long-distance trains. Tickets are available for purchase online, from stations or from travel agents.
Rail Services
Madrid has two main railway stations - Estación de Chamartín (Chamartín Station), Calle Agustín de Foxá, in northern Madrid, and Estación de Atocha (Atocha Station), at Avenida Ciudad de Barcelona, in southern Madrid. Madrid's rail network includes services to provincial capitals in Spain and connections to the European railway network. Chamartín Station serves trains from France and northern Spain, including Bilbao and Oviedo. Atocha serves trains from Andalusia, Extremadura and Portugal, including Malaga and Valencia. Many trains stop at both Atocha and Chamartín. Atocha is the arrival and departure point for AVE trains, high-speed services between Madrid and Seville via Córdoba; between Madrid-Barcelona and Madrid-Valencia.
Rail Operators
The national Spanish railway network is operated by RENFE (tel: 90 224 0202; www.renfe.com). RENFE also operates the Cercanías suburban network. Atocha Station is the hub of the Cercanías suburban rail network.
Connections
From Valencia – 1 hour 35 minutes; Córdoba – 3 hours; Malaga – 5 hours; Bilbao – 6 hours; Oviedo – 6 hours.
Getting Around in Madrid, Spain
Public Transport
Central Madrid is served by a network of bus routes, an extensive metro system and trains. The main hub is Puerta del Sol. The Consorcio de Transportes de Madrid (www.ctm-madrid.es) offers maps and information. The metro (tel: 90 244 4403; www.metromadrid.es) runs regularly until 0130. Each of the 12 metro lines is distinguished by a color and number. Ticketing options are available. EMT (tel: 90 250 7850; www.emtmadrid.es) runs Madrid's bus service. Night buses depart from Plaza de Cibeles between 2330 and 0600. The local train network, operated by Cercanías (tel: 90 224 0202; www.renfe.com/viajeros/cercanias/madrid/index), comprises 12 lines with a link between Charmartín and Atocha stations.
Taxis
Taxis can be hired at ranks or on the street, with surcharges for additional passengers, luggage and telephone pick-ups. Private taxi companies include TeleTaxi (tel: 91 371 2131) and Radio Taxi Independiente (tel: 91 405 1213/5500).
Driving in the City
Driving in central Madrid is not recommended. If you choose to drive, see the Servicio de Estacionamiento Regulado (SER) (Regulated Parking Service), whose rules are online at www.sermadrid.com.
Car Hire
Drivers aged 21 years and above need a passport, a valid insurance policy and valid driving license held for at least one year. Providers include Avis (tel: 91 548 4204; www.avis.es), Europcar (tel: 91 559 930; www.europcar.es) and Hertz (tel: 91 542 5805; www.hertz.es).
Bicycle Hire
Blafer Motos, Calle Clara del Rey 17 (tel: 91 413 0047; www.blafermotos.com), offers a choice of vehicles. Ciclos Otero, Calle Segovia 18-20 (tel: 90 288 4985; www.oterociclos.es), hires out bikes.
