phieaglefan

Hi all,

Thanks to the powers that be at American Airlines (or on second thought Iberia?) our flight was changed and we will now be treated to a 5 hour layover at MAD on our way home to the US. I did some research and it looks as though that's not enough time to get into Madrid. But is it enough time to get anywhere? If so, we would check most of our stuff going home and jump on a train. Any thoughts? This will be on Saturday, Jan. 21 if that makes a difference.

Besides a book, newspaper, computer, are there any noteworthy diversions at the airport?

Thanks,
H

qwovadis

sleepinginairports.com MAD the usual suspects
just the standard stuff when there last.
Big Place lots of stores usually just shop till 2
hoursB4 plane time goes pretty fast.

lincasanova

If you have your next boarding pass, make sure you know which terminal next flight is leaving from . I believe it will be T4.

Go outside to taxi area and look for the bus stop. Catch the 204 bus to Intercambiador de Avenida America. (15 minutes max. to edge of Madrid where this bus ends its run underground. Then go to the Lazaro Galdiano Museum a few blocks walking down Maria de Molina on your left. ( Closed Tuesdays) Lovely place.

http://www.flg.es/museo/museo.htm

Grab a coffee/snack nearby and go back to the bus depot to board the 204 bus to T4 2 hours before take off.

You will board the bus on the opposite side of the depot as the side yo disembarked. The airport bus is the LAST one in the bays at the end.

fmpden

I always view 5 hour lay overs as suck plays. You think it should be enough time to do something but it really isn't even if the plane is on time. It is easy for little bits of time to slip away when you really don't have an extra time. You probably need to be back to the airport at least an hour or an hour and half prior to departure because you cannot predict the security line. That cuts you to 3 and half hours. The bus takes 20 minutes or so but you just miss the bus and have to wait another 15. Takes time to get off the plane, walk to the bus, use the restroom, etc. Sorry to be discouraging. Enjoy the airline.

phieaglefan

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Lin - I will print your suggestion and probably wait till that day to determine if it's in the cards. Thank you for all of the detail.

Funny thing is, I hate long layovers on the way home. I actually partially chose the itinerary due to the awesome return flights. That's what I get for planning!!!

Had I been thinking clearly when the airline called, I might have negotiated a 29 hour stop instead

Thanks again!
H