Hi.....

1. Only in Madrid for 1 day. Looking for bohemian cool, trendy, artsy (safe..solo female) neighbourhoods I can explore in 1 day. Staying right across from Atocha train/Metro.

2. In the outbound...need to stay at a budget hotel with an airport shuttle. Idea would be if I could walk out and there are places/choices to eat outside of the budget hotel.

Thank you!

When you will be in Madrid will greatly affect your budget. Take a look at Maribel's Guide to Madrid for a little more insight.

Robert please stop pushing your wife's guide. It has been noted on another thread it is out of date.


Accommodation look on Booking.com
Use the metro for the cheapest form of transport from Airport to city.
I think you should also read through the excellent tips to be found on this website. I have found some great locations in the past here too.
https://www.likealocalguide.com/madrid

Maribel's guides were really good, though, so worth a look.

I am really not understanding the question about hotel. First, you say you will be staying near Atocha station and then you ask for a hotel with an airport shuttle, but you are only in MAdrid one day to begin with. So do you have a hotel or not? I sure hope you don't intend to move hotels in one day just to stay near the airport.

For neighborhoods, maybe you are expecting too much, But you could try Chueca/Malasanas and Lavapies for trendy.

Taxi to the airport is 30 euros fixed rate...hotels will charge more.
Chueca might be better than Lavapies at night.

BTW, budget hotels usually don't provide shuttles. If you're staying across from Atocha, the Plaza Sta. Ana area is lively, safe, and full of bars and restaurants.