Escalators/Elevators in Madrid Metro stations
 

Hello! I am considering taking the metro from Madrid airport to Sol (my hotel is near there) with a suitcase which I would have difficulty carrying but no problem dragging. I see that I have to change lines at Nuevo Ministerios and then at Tribunal. Are there escalators/elevators at these stations ie. airport, Nuvevos Ministerios, Tribunal and Sol?
Thank you !

I would be easier to change at Nuevos Ministerios to any southbound Cercanías train. It's just one stop with those trains from Nuevos Ministerios to Sol.
I am not 100 pct sure if you can use the metro ticket also on Cercanías trains, but even when not, that extra ticket would just cost bit more than €1.
You would save one transfer and both Nuevos Ministerios and Sol (at least the Cercanías platforms) are equipped with escalators/ elevators.

Alternatively, you could check out the airport express bus which costs €2, and stops at Plaza de Cibeles which is a bit East of Sol. So it might be a longer walk to your hotel.
http://www.emtmadrid.es/lineaAeropuerto/index.html#

Or take the regular bus lines 200 or 204 from the airport to Intercambiador Av. Americas, and take a taxi from there (for a few euros).

The cheapest way to get from the airport to Sol would be with the regular buses to Canillejas metro and take line #5 right to Sol. But that metro station has a few stairs to climb, so I would not recommend if you can't carry your suitcase.

Both for the regular buses as well as for the metro the best buy is a 10-ride ticket for €9.30, which you would get, for example, at the airport's metro station.
Taking the metro into town requires a supplement ticket for €1.

Eventually, it might be useful if you gave the name of your hotel as there is a good chance that some Fodorites have stayed there and give you first hand advice on how easy it is to access.

correction:

Not all southbound Cercanías trains from Nuevos Ministerios call at Sol.
You need to get on a C-3 or C-4 train with destination Aranjuez or Parla.
Just check the map, it's the blue and purple lines:
http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/cercan...as_madrid.html

For comfort, just exit the airport and look for the bus stop like cowboy has advised. Either take the bus that goes to Cibeles, or the 200 that goes to Avenida America. No way would I EVER lug a suitcase on two/three metros.

Taking the metro with luggage from the airport to many places in Madrid now is NOT the way to go anymore.

If you take the airport bus and get off at Cibeles, it is an UPHILL walk to your hotel so I would just take a taxi which should not cost more than 6-8 euros from that stop.

Thank you Cowboy for your excellent & detailed answer and Lincasanova for the point about being uphill (I never thought of that!). The express bus sounds the best. I am staying at Hostal Adriano, which is in Calle de la Cruz, 26. I'll take the bus like you both suggest. Thank you again.

And IMHO.. you are much safer on the bus than the metro from sticky fingers although be on guard in general.