Pam09

How long prior to an International Flight must you arrive at Madrid's airport? Our flight is at 1:30 and we will be dropping off a rental car. Any additional information about driving to Enterprise rental at the airport would also be helpful. And driving conditions at that time of day (Toledo to Madrid)

amer_can

AM or PM??? Also international flights require at least
1 and 1/2 hours if I am not mistaken..give your self enough time as traffic must be taken into account and drop off. Is the drop off on site or off? Another consideration!

sparkchaser

Getting there two hours early is a good rule of thumb.

Make sure you go to the correct terminal.

Follow the rental car return signs, just like at any other airport.

At 1:30, streets should be clear. At 13:30 be prepared for heavy-ish traffic.

ribeirasacra

Check in times will be dependant on your airline, which you do not state.
Where to drop off for Enterprise:
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/...ise-Atesa.html
What will the traffic be like will depend on if there has been an accident or if there are road works. Use this planner: http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/...ia&ps=e&ti=cla

nytraveler

You should check with your airline to see what time they want you to be there. For osme airports 3 hours is the minimum time for international fights - esp if you will be checking luggage.

Have not been through Madrid for a few years so can;t comment specifically - but the airlines may well vary on this.

sparkchaser

I flew though MAD two years ago. Arrived two hours early and that was plenty of time. Flight was at 9:05.

The only hitch was initially driving to the wrong terminal. Oooops. So don't do that.

cruiseluv

In Madrid airport I always arrive at least two hours prior, sometimes lines are long.

Pam09

Thank you everyone for your help. Flight is at 13:30 and car rental is at the airport. We won't be checking luggage. Will be sure to check with the airlines and will KNOW the terminal!! Also, thanks for the link to the "road planner"

Robert2533

If you're flying on an American based airline, they typically advise you to be at the check in at least 2-1/2 hours before your scheduled departure. Since the flights are usually fully booked, the lines will be long. If you're a premium frequent flyer, then two hours should do it as the first class line is much shorter. The biggest issue is passing through security. With most flights departing late morning to early afternoon, the lines at security can be very long. Then you have to go through passport control in order to get to your gate. Some airlines on international routes are closing the gates 30 minutes before departure.

The drive from Toledo to Madrid-Barajas airport Terminal 1 will take a minimum of 1 hour following the A-12, longer in commuter traffic. Add another 20 minutes or so to reach T4. You'll have to add more time if you need to return the car with a full tank of fuel. There are Repsol stations near both T1 and T4, but you'll have to map out your approach (http://www.repsol.com/es_es/producto.../buscador.aspx)

Enterprise Atesa has offices at both T1 and T4.

Christina

I always aim to get to airports 3 hrs ahead of time for major international flights, and Madrid is no exception. I don't remember there being any real long wait the last time I did that (last year), so I don't think I had 2 hrs to spare at the gate. I don't want to risk missing my flight, though. If I were driving from Toledo and dropping a car off, I really would be sure to have plenty of extra time.

Belinda

Walking in the door of the terminal; 2 hours. If you need to return a car, more... I would leave room for unexpected things.

chapla

As mentioned,the checkin can lines can be long and then you get to the security lines and they can be even looooooonger.
If you are flying out of T4 for sure allow extra time because that is further and more time is needed to take the train.