On the way to San Sebastián, we have almost a five hour layover in Madrid. I really enjoyed it last year and was hoping to have a quick lunch back in the market. Is that enough time to hop in a cab and be back for my our flight?

You say "almost" five hours so let's call it 4.5 hours. Figure 30 min each way by taxi and getting to the airport 2 hours before your departure, and yeah, seems doable.

The taxi costs 30 euros each way! That makes for quite an expensive lunch!

Where are you laying over from? If you're going to have to clear customs and immigration before wandering off to Madrid (which is a good distance from Barajas, as chapla indicated), then the answer is no, you will not have sufficient time.

Also, if you are flying internationally, then there will not be enount time to head into Madrid for lunch, even for a quick bite at the market.

Note that when you "land" in Madrid, it normally takes another 20 minutes to reach the gate, and depending on where you are sitting, another 20 minutes or more just to get off the plane.

I was in Madrid in 2012. Our cab fare from our hotel near the Prada to the airport was around 50 euros and of course that was only one way. I wouldn't do it.

Pardon my typo, I meant to say Prado, as in Prado Museum.

The rates fixed now...30 euros to the centre.

That's good, we thought 50 euros seemed excessive.

Awesome notes. We arrive from berlin at 8:30 am. Not nearly enough time to go anywhere and certaainly no one worth going to at that hour.

Thanks to all you.