Myer

First I'll vent then ask my questions.

In October (2011) I booked tickets using air miles to Marseilles with a transfer in Barcelona. Yesterday I decided to call (tickets booked over the phone so seat assignment had to be as well) and get seat assignments. A recording informed me that there was a cancellation on my flight (Iberia). Nice of them to inform me.

When I spoke with the ticket agent she said that our flight had been cancelled. Her position was that she trying to do me a favor as one option would be to merely refund our payments. THANKS!!!!

She was able to place us on another flight thru Madrid but there's a 8 hour layover and we arrive in MRS at 6:30PM instead of 1PM.
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Ok. Now that I vented I have a few questions.

We've been to Madrid once before about 9-10 years ago. Rather than stay at the airport all day it might be nice to wander around Madrid for a few hours. I'm guessing we should have at least 4 hours in the city out of 8 hours between flights. Correct?

Our luggage will be checked right thru but is it possible to check carry-ons at the airport?

I've read some other threads on going to and from the airport but they're confusing and there seems to be many options. Train, Bus, metro, etc.

We wouldn't be going to a specific hotel or place. Maybe Sol and/or Plaza Mayor area.

What are the current choices? Thanks.

Chels

Hello, Myer,

I just came back last week from taking the same type of trip on AA. I had a 9 hour layover in Madrid on my way to Zurich. AA checked our bags all the way to Zurich, and issued our Iberia boarding passes (for MAD to Zurich) in Miami. Therefore, there was no need for us to return to the airport until about an hour before our flight.

We initially thought of taking the train into Madrid, and then doing the hop-on/off tour. However, due to the fear of jet lag and a too serene tour, we opted to use Top Day Tours. Our driver picked us up at the airport outside of arrivals, and he took us to Toledo for a few hours and then into Madrid for a tour. (We could have visited the Prado and the Royal Palace or anywhere else; however, we opted to do only exterior visits due to the time constraints and jet lag.) I fully recommend their services if you want to see more and pay a bit more. I'd opt for Toledo; it was a nice half-day outdoors, and your driver guide will ensure that your time constraints are addressed.

Either way, you have time to leave the airport if your flight arrives in MAD on time. Just make sure to figure in MAD traffic or public transport options for your return to the airport if you go on your own.

Have a great trip!

Myer

We were in Spain in 2004 and went to Toledo then. We also had a great visit to the Prado (amazing Las Meninos) which I could do again. We were in Madrid the day the Royal Palace reopened after the Royal Wedding so we went there as well. Also spent several hours wandering Retiro Parc on a Sunday afternoon.

If I remember correctly, the Prado, Sol and Plaza Mayor are not really all that far from each other.

Do they have carry-on storage at the airport?

I'll look into Top Day as we would then not have to worry about storing luggage. On the other hand, I'd rather just wander around than be driven from sight to sight.

hkto

yes, you'll be get your boarding passes in US and luggage will be forwarded to MRS. Madrid Barajas is well connect to city. If you arrive at T4 there is direct local train to Atocha, from T4 & other terminals there is metro & bus. All in 2 euro ballpark; metro more likely needs transfer at Nuevos Ministerios, bus goes to Atocha & stops in Plaza Cibeles (@Gran Via, not too far from Sol or http://www.emtmadrid.es/lineaAeropuerto/horarios.html

hkto

Plaza Cibeles is north of Prado & Atocha - south, very close to Reina Sofia museum

Myer

Thanks. Now the city layout is starting to come back to me.

Do they have any carry-on storage facilities at the airport?

chapla

For 2 euros there is the airport bus that will take you to Cibeles and ends at Atocha.
There are lockers at each terminal for you to check in your carry on luggage.
I think the on/off bus is a great idea or get off the airport bus at Cibeles and walk down to C/Huertas across from Prado then you can easily walk upto the Plaza Mayor.
Just leave yourself enough time to get back to the airport, pick up your luggage and get through security-lines can be long and Barajas gates are far to walk!

Myer

Thanks. I figure if I allow 1 hour to get into the city, one hour to get back and two hours lead time for the flight we should be fine.

That will give us about 4 hours to wander.

cruiseluv

Myer,

According to this thread http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-april-may.cfm
the Iberia strikes have been cancelled. The announcement in the Iberia website is in Spanish, but it basically says that passengers affected are being rebooked to their original flights which have now been reinstated.
Maybe just to be sure you should check that they haven't moved you back to your original flights.
Good luck!

Myer

cruiseluv,
Good idea to check with the cancelled strike in mind. I wonder if I should wait a day or two to give them a chance or jump on it and maybe speed it up.

cruiseluv

Do you prefer to stay with your original flights? If so, I would call them and get them back ASAP.

Myer

cruisluv,
Good idea but American says my original flight was discontinued by Iberia and had nothing to do with the strike.

So there's nothing to reinstate.