We are scheduled to arrive at MAD from US at 8:50 am on a Tuesday. The last few times we have arrived we have rented a car but this time we will be staying in Madrid for a few days before we rent cars so I was thinking about taking public transportation to our hotel (Wellington). I am just wondering if this arrival time will put us in the middle of rush hour or not? We will have our infant daughter with us, the carseat, the stroller, a couple of bags, a travel bed. We have taken the train in from CDG to Paris during rush hour with just the two of us and rollaboard bags and it was not fun. Don't want to do it with daughter unless the trains will be pretty empty.

Any thoughts?

Why would you want to take the metro from MAD? Maybe it's different now, but when I did it, you had to walk 15 minutes just to get to the metro area. Then there were lots of stairs up and down at all the change points (and I think in my case there were two change points). Then consider the fact that pickpocketing seems to be common in Madrid (although I did not personally experience this), and I would take a cab for sure. I was there in August 2005, so cannot comment on the rush hour issue, but my verdict is no on taking a baby, baby equipment, and luggage on the metro at that time.

I would take a cab for about 25 euros.

als0107,
The trains will not be pretty empty at all. You'd have plenty of company in that metro car, and with all of your belongings you certainly wouldn't want to attempt a metro ride at that hour plus drag everything and your daughter up and down multiple flights of steps, since you'd have to change metro lines. This would not be the least bit fun. Just don't attempt it!

Take a taxi. Just be aware that there is an obligatory airport supplement now of 5.50 that will be added to your taxi fare. There is no separate charge for luggage carried in the trunk. It will be so easy just to leave the morning traffic to your professional taxi driver, to be deposited right at the Wellington's door and to let the doorman take you and all your bags from there.

Thank you for your responses! I do appreciate it. Does anyone know if there is a car/van service that we could use? I just found out the in-laws are arriving within an hour of us and my parents are on our flight. That changes everything in my mind and a van may be much easier. Any ideas?

als0107,
There's Aerocity van service,
Check the prices and find more info here:

www.gomadrid.com/aerocity/

I agree with Maribel, and encourage you not to take the train (metro). This is handy only with small trolley or hand luggage. I did it last Nov with a big suitcase and never again!

I am surprise about your question.
You are flying from the US, staying in a five star hotel in a Major european city. And wonder if you should take the metro with a stroller and infant and bags?
Sorry I forgot the carseat and the travel bed.

Thank you to those of you who added helpful replies. We had a lovely trip and ended up using the Aerocity van service that Maribel suggested. We used them from MAD to hotel then hotel back to MAD to pick up rental cars (this was a huge oversight on our part to rent the car from MAD when we were staying in Madrid for a few days first...just spaced on that). They were a great service, fast and friendly. Would highly recommend them! Thank you all again.