sunburst

Four of us are taking a trip to Spain in September. Our flight gets into the airport at 8:35am and we are thinking of taking the airport express bus to the Atocha train station stop. Our hotel is a 5 minute walk from the station. Has anyone ever taken the express bus? It looks easy and it is relatively inexpensive. Please advise. Thank you.

JoyC

Yes, it is so easy to take the bus!! I did it last month but got off at Plaza de Cibeles, and just walked to my hotel near Puerta del Sol.

You can find it just outside the arrival terminal. In my case, it was at Terminal 1. Paid the driver €5. It was packed, though, and we were squeezed like sardines but for that price and the fact that it only took maybe just 0.5h, it was fine. I arrived on a Sunday, ~13:00.

opaldog

We used it on our first trip to Madrid last November. We got off at Plaza de Cibeles, as well and walked to our apartment on Calle Mayor not far from Puerta del Sol. It was easy and inexpensive. We got it outside the terminal, just followed signs. On our return we took the metro to Atocha and picked up the bus there. We could have taken the metro all the way, but I felt comfortable with the bus and decided to use it on the way back.

danon

If you are landing at T4, you can take cercania. train, takes about1/2 hour.

Pegontheroad

I took it to and from Barajas. It's easy and cheap.

kimhe

A taxi is the easiest and fastest option, 25 minutes and some 25-30€ to the Atocha area. If you are four, I wouldn't even bother investigate any bus options.

sunburst

Thanks so much for your responses. I always get good results from Fodors. I feel it is the best way to get info when traveling. I think we will try the bus and walk to the hotel from the station. Thanks again!!

chapla

I LOVE the bus!The taxis are hurting since the bus made it's appearance last year-it started out at about 2 euros! No hassle-it's still a bargain even with the increase to 5 euros.Yes, it may be crowded but the passengers are a happy bunch!
The metro or cercanias are a pain with luggage!
Taxis are a crap shoot depending on traffic and the honesty of the driver!

kimhe

Chapla, you seem to have had some bad taxi experiences. So have I, but I have never experienced dishonesty in frequent taxi drives in Spain every year in almost 30 years (although a couple of the guys were totally plastered...)

chapla

The trouble w/taxis in Madrid is that the drivers are no longer Spanish as of late! I had to tell one how to get to my destination! I have NEVER paid 25-30 to/from Barajas so I started using the shuttle Aerocity but now I only take the bus!

danon

I have been to Madrid only four times ......had no trouble with taxis so far.
It is true that cercania may be a problem for people with a lot of luggage....( I got off at Recoletos the last time in Madrid
- it was a very long walk to get out.)
For four people , taking a taxi makes sense...IMO.

chapla

Strange-all my Madrid friends no longer take taxis-the bus is the wat to go! The taxi drivers are complaining and trying to get their representatives to do something-some drivers are bold enough to try to charge for luggage which was stopped quite a few years ago! getting desperate and now cheating passengers- getting as bad as in Lisbon!