Layover in Madrid-are we allowed to step off airport premesis?
 

Hi I was looking through the forums on the topic of a layover in Madrid, I found some threads about it but I wasn't sure if the circumstances that occurred for others made any difference in my situation. So I apologize if this sounds familiar to you.

My Fiance and I are flying to Tenerife for a family celebration in November. On the flight back to Los Angeles we have a lay over in Madrid. It is a 6 hour layover we arrive in Madrid at 6:25 am, the flight leaves at 12:35 pm. We'll have checked in luggage and a carry on back pack. I was wondering if we are allowed to leave the airport. I was reading on the Iberia forum that a traveler was told by Iberia that since they are going on a connecting International flight with luggage that was being transferred from one plane to another that they were considered "in transit" and was not allowed to leave the airport. My fiance and I just want to go grab a bite to eat in Madrid and snap some photos. I don't want to cause trouble or complications, but has anyone been able to leave the airport and come back? Does it make a difference that I am an American citizen and that my Fiance is a Danish citizen?

My Fiance is under the belief that it's ok for us to leave, I trust him since he's traveled through Europe a whole lot more than I, but I just want to make sure since things might have changed. Any help is appreciated.

no problem.

Airlines dislike passengers leaving luggage in transit as you're intending to do.

But there's nothing they can do about it, and their views on the matter are insignificant. You just walk through the exit and do what you want.

Iberia should have given you your boarding cards from MAD to LAX at Tenerife, or you should have printed them yourselves. Make sure you keep them with you when you leave the airport, and make sure you know which terminal the LAX flight's going from and when you need to be back to catch it.

As already mentioned, as long as you have your boarding pass and passport, you'll be fine. You'll have to go back through security when you return to the airport. I would take a taxi to and from the city to save time.