I am visiting a friend that lives north of Madrid (Colmenar Viejo) next month. I am going to take a day trip to Lisbon, and the flight leaves at 6:45 a.m. I figure I need to be at the airport a couple of hours early, so that would be around 4:45 a.m. My friend says the buses and trains won't be running that early in the morning. She thinks a cab will be around 60 euros. I'm thinking that maybe I should stay at a cheap hotel or hostel near the airport the night before. Does anyone have any thoughts regarding this? Or any hotel/hostel suggestions since I'll really just be sleeping there for a few hours?
Cheap hotel/hostel near Madrid airport
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Consider sleeping at the airport. Check out the rating on Barajas at this site: http://www.sleepinginairports.net/
We stayed at the Best Western hotel, which had a free shuttle. It's a schlep from the city (pink metro line #8 up to Barajas stop), but worth it for easy airport transfer. The price was 80 euros for 3 beds, from booking.com.
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/best-western-villa-de-barajas.en.htmle
there are plenty of reasonably priced even 4* hotels near Barajas unless there is a huge trade fair those days. what is your exact date? I'll be glad to take a quick look for you and suggest one I am familiar with.
You may not have to be there that early. If I recall correctly, the checkin for our flight to Frankfurt didn't even open until 5:30. Check with the airline rather than assuming because an intra-Europe flight can be more like a state-to-state flight within the US.
usually just stay at www.catshostel.com
shoot straight out to the airport easy
no decent hostels at airport
betterbidding.com otel.com cheap deals on MAD
hotels there are lots most overpriced
but if a careful can snag a decent one
recently the Eurostars from 50 euro or so.
try to get one with a free MAD shuttle to save a tonne
booking.com has a search feature for those.
Happy Hunting,
A taxi from central Madrid to the airport would be some 25-30€ and 20 mins. Madrid is a fabulous city, and it would be sorry to miss a night here for a cheap hostal near the airport.
For example, Hostal Santa Cruz is right in the hearth of everything, next door to majestic Plaza Mayor and very close to both bustling Plaza Santa Ana and the heart of Madrid Puerta del Sol. Basic but good value, 45€/58, single/dobble: http://www.hostalsantacruz.com/IN/
Some of the best tapas bars will be right on your doorstep: http://tapastalk.wordpress.com/tapas-bars/
The area:
http://madrid.wantedineurope.com/area_description.php?id_area=178
Taxi stand 150 meters from your hotel.
I agree with kimhe, everytime I've stayed at a hotel near the airport I've always regretted it because it's usually in an awful industrial area when I could have stayed downtown, had a fabulous night and taken a cab to the airport before dawn. Madrid has cabs at all hours and is a great city. (check out my review of Hotel Daytona in Naples on tripadvisor for a real nightmare hotel by the airport)
Thanks for all of the suggestions.
thisblonde, I checked out that website. That's crazy! I never even thought about intentionally staying at the airport. I spent the night in JFK once, and now you've got me thinking about doing it again. Thanks.
ackislander, I need a place to stay on the night of April 9th since my flight is early on April 10th. When I arrive in Madrid on April 7th, I plan on checking with people at the airport to see how early I need to be there.
kimhe/egbert, I agree that I really don't want to stay near the airport. However, it makes me a little nervous to get in a cab at around 4 a.m. when I don't know the language or area very well. If I were to get a cab that early, I guess I would stay with my friend (since it's free), rather than getting a room in Madrid.
I have booked a room at Hotel Hostal Viky for the night of April 9th for 45 euro. They have a free (and sounds reliable according to the reviews) shuttle to the airport at all hours. My friend in Madrid called and verified they do operate even at 4 a.m.
That is my plan for now, but I still appreciate any suggestions/advice. Thanks!