scrb11

Flying in and out of MAD, planning to go directly to Seville for 3 nights, then to Granada for 2 nights, return to Madrid for 1 night before returning. Departing US on 2/4, flying back on 2/11.

So I was planning trains or buses for all this.

Flight lands at MAD at 9:45. Was looking at AVE departing Atocha at 12 PM or an Alvia at 12:15 PM.

I would take either the bus or the train from Sevilla to Granada.

For the return, probably a bus from Granada to Madrid.

But I just priced out a flight, MAD-SVQ departing at 11:50 PM and then GRX-MAD at 9:40 or 2 PM.

The Madrid to Sevilla train is either 65 or 83 Euro and the bus from Granada to Madrid is either 17 or 35 Euro. Train from Granada to Seville is 68 Euro.

So the savings over the flight range from about $100 to $200. The time savings isn't so great on the Madrid to Seville leg (scheduled to land 90 or 120 minutes before the AVE or Alvia trains) but it's a huge savings for the Granada to Madrid leg.

The Madrid hotel is near the Puerta del Sol. I believe the transit time from the airport to central Madrid via the subway isn't that much greater than from the train or bus station.

I understand the issues with checking in early at the airport, going through security, checking and reclaiming baggage but at least departing Madrid, I will be at the airport.

Only issues are:

1. Enough time from a 9:45 landing at T1 to get to T4 for 11:50 flight? Or for that matter, to get from MAD to Atocha for 12 or 12:15 PM train?

2. Checked luggage fees or limitations for short-haul flights within Spain? I will have a 25-inch bag as well as a carryon.

lincasanova

1. no, that is NOT enough time. You need to collect baggage, PRAY your flight is on time. Wait and take the bus to the other terminal. Check in at least 2 hours before an international. flight, Go through security. Add it up.

Re:train. I would never try to do a pre-paid non refundable connection that close. There is no room for error. Book a much later train. Then if you get in way too early, check your bags and go to one of the many museums nearby or to a nice cafe.

Many times you can change your ticket for an earlier train. If you did not get any discount to begin with, there should be little or no charge anyway. Go to the window of SALIDAS HOY" after you get a numbered ticket from the dispenser near the entrance of the room.

For baggage fees check the airline's website.

WomBatt

'The Madrid to Sevilla train is either 65 or 83 Euro' and presuming you do mean 4th February.

Is it me?

I query your pricing and times of Madrid to Seville by train, when I see as low as €33.30 available for some journeys that day and no ALVIA departing 1215.

lincasanova

she would arrive the 5th.

WomBatt

lincasanova - Ah, thanks.

scrb11

Wait, Madrid to Sevilla flight requires 2 hour checkin? It's a regional flight, isn't it?

I could try to buy the train ticket at Atocha once I get there but I wonder about the queues.

lincasanova

yes.. even so .. 90 minutes?

But is she talking about the granada flight back to madrid on way to USA?? that's what I thought .

scrb11

I would be returning from Granada to Madrid the day before my flight back to the US.

If I take a bus or train, it's a 4.5 to 5 hour ride.

If I take a flight, it's one hour, more time for Madrid that last day/night.

So the real time crunch is the Madrid to Sevilla trip after landing. I know a lot of people spend the night in Madrid before heading for Sevilla but I'm landing at 10 AM so that seems like it would let me get to Sevilla at a reasonable time.

There are certainly later flights or trains to Sevilla but I think the next flight is like 3:50 PM so 4 hours later. Of course there's a 1 PM train too. But if I can make the 11:50 flight, it might be worth the additional expense, leaving more time Sunday afternoon in Sevilla.

CathyM

I'd take the train to Sevilla. If you book a train for 1pm or later you should be ok. I'd buy a web fare if available taking advantage of the deep discoint.

In think it's questionable you'd make the 11:50 flight. Unless the flight is on the same ticket as your original flight you'd have to clear immigrations and customs (picking up your luggage). Then you also have to check in for the Sevilla flight (perhaps even changing terminals).

I assume you've already purchased the transatlantic airfare. If not then you may be able to book this all on one ticket eliminating the need to pick up luggage and recheck in for the Sevilla flight. It also eliminates the need to return to Madrid for your final night.

scrb11

How long could it take to clear immigration and customs and getting my bags?

A couple of years ago, I flew into Madrid and then took a bus to Salamanca. The flight was scheduled to land at 9:15 and then I took the metro to Estacion Sur by the subway.

I was there before 11 AM and just missed the 11 AM bus. I had bought the 12 PM bus, since I wasn't sure about how long it would take me to get to the bus station.

So with 2 hours or 2 hours and 15 minutes, I would have made it, even with a 45-50 minute transit to the bus station.

Even if it takes me an hour to clear immigrations and customs and get my bags, I'd have 55 minutes to check in at the flight, going from T1 to T4.

Could it be that bad?

lincasanova

Sure you will make it if absolutely everything goes perfectly. I just hope it does.

You need to wait for the bus.( I'd take a taxi if the bus isn't there) it can take 10 minutes to get to the other terminal. then you need to go stand in line to get your boarding pass and drop bag.. through security, and go find your flight.. did you say T4? it takes 30 minutes to get to some PARTS of T4 from within T4.

oh.. I once waited 35 minutes for luggage from a Valencia-Madrid flight.

Whatever you decide.. I hope it work outs for you.

danon

T4 is new , huge terminal nowhere near the other terminals. once at T4...you have to checki in and go through security .

danon

I think the bus ride between two terminals was 15min., If not longer.

CathyM

IF everything turns out perfectly then you should be able to make the flight. But there are numerous reasons why this wouldn't work perfectly. I had taken a train from Atocha several times with no issue giving myself 2.5 hours from landing in Bajaras to get to Atocha.....until the time my flight was delayed in Paris and I made it but within 10 minutes and very stressed out. Needless to say I don't take this risk anymore and take a later train If you feel confident making the 11:50 flight then it's not really necessary to post the question. Just be prepared for a plan "B" so you have a backup plan.