Hello, In early March, my family of four (husband, two teens and myself) will be returning to US from Southern Spain. We are catching the high speed train from Sevilla on a Sunday to stay one night in Madrid before our 8:00am departure out of Barajas airport. It was the only frequent flyer tickets available. Can anyone tell me where the train station is and can you metro to the airport the next day without problems? or is a cab prefered. We travel very light and each can carry our own small bags. We will have one solid afternoon/evening in Madrid and would like to wander around, maybe see Plaza Mayor or whatever someone might suggest. It is our last stop before home and for only that evening... we plan on returning just to Madrid someday, but just in case that day is a long way off, we hope to see something.
So I need your help in finding a clean but low key (low cost) hotel close to train station and easy to get to the airport the next day.

Thank you for all your suggestions, your are always so helpful.;-)

Last year we took the train to the airport in Madrid but at one point had to switch to a bus so at that hour a cab may be easier. Maybe someone else knows of a better way

with four passengers, take a taxi.

madrid is only aobut 15-20 minutes from the airport. If going to terminal 4 give yourself a few more minutes, and a bit higher taxi fare.

I agree: do a taxi with 4. I traveled in the opposite direction (Barajas to train station), and it was not too horribly expensive for 2. I researched the metri, but it was going to involve at least one change, so especially early in the am I'd cab it.

We stayed at the Clement Barajas by the airport and it was great. The subway is a few blocks down to take you into downtown Madrid (very easy subway to navigate) and they are near the airport and have a shuttle to take you.

You can get deals on-line and it is a nice hotel.

THank you for the hotel recomendationm of the Clement Barajas. For some reason it won't let me check on line rates right now.

But I am inclined to stay closer to the sites in Madrid and taxi over to the airport in the morning...

So I renew my search for a hotel that is in the 70 euro/room/night price range closer to the AVE station/Madrid?

Any suggestoins? is this a reasonable price range for a moderate hotel? Because I'll need two rooms with the four of us, I'm sure.

Thank you again ;-)

Thank you

A couple of years ago I stayed 2-3 blocks uphill from the train station upon arrival (used the metro/train connection from airport and was departing by train next day).

I stayed at:
Hotel Husa Paseo del Arte
Calle Atocha 143
a modern hotel with nice staff etc. that I booked online for a discount. I don't know current rates, so check online.

simbi,
For just 70 euros you will find few hotels in the area of Old Madrid, the Paseo del Prado/Barrio de las Letras section, where you will want to stay.

If you can spend a little more, you'll have much better and more comfortable options in hotels; otherwise, you'll need to consider a "hostal", kind of a family-run B&B.
One that comes to mind is the Hostal Barrera (doubles for 65)
www.hostalbarrera.com

For 85 euros, Sunday, March 2, the very nice 2 star Hotel Plaza Mayor (well reviewed here) has standard double rooms available. (superior rooms go for 95-100).

Another 2 star hotel, the Mora, offers doubles for 78, but you would need to email them regarding availability (no online booking).
www.hotelmora.com

The Hostal Adriano (also a well reviewed "hostal&quot and newer sisters Hostal Adria and Adria Santa Ana, have doubles for 63 and quads for 95, but you must also email them. They're extremely popular because of their low rates.
[email protected]

Using Safari as my browser, I was able to check availability at the airport Clement Barajas for March 2 and see the double rate is 102, including buffet breakfast. This is an excellent rate in '08 for this property with all the little extras it provides.

Hope this helps.

simbi,
Rates for the first weekend in March at the 4 star Husa Paseo del Arte, near Atocha, start at 110 euros per night.

Forgot to add url:
www.hotelhusapaseodelarte.com

Hi Maribel,
Thank you for your help.
The Hotel Plaza Mayor seems like the place we will stay.

But, just curious, what is the difference between a Hostal and a Hotel (2 stars).

For that matter what is the difference between between 2 and 3 star hotles in Center Madrid?

Thank you again,
Simbi

The 2 star hotel, in general, will offer more of the standard hotel amenities such as a/c, elevator, free Wi Fi, breakfast room, front desk staffed 24 hrs., etc., but some of the very best hostals do also provide these services.

I think you'll enjoy the small Plaza Mayor. It's been well reviewed here from Fodorites whose opinion I respect. We have dear friends who married 35 years ago in Madrid and stay at the Plaza Mayor often (they could afford 5 star luxury). They are very fond of the hotel's penthouse El Palomar suite.