Madrid Airport layover
 

I have a 3 hour layover in Madrid. I have friends that live there and would like to meet them inside the airport for lunch. Does anyone know if I will be able to do this or if I will be stuck in a certain area of the airport that they can't get to? Can ticketed travelers go outside their gate area and come back in? If so...how????

Having just used the Madrid airport a few days ago, I would caution you that you may have very little time.
WIll you be connecting to another airport in Spain? If so you will be going to a completley different terminal.
There are a few terminals and at least one is a bus ride away.
I would find out now about which terminal your final destination is in and see if your friends could meet you there before you go through the sencond security line.

**one tip for Madid airport (from our Spanish freinds) - use the elevators instead of the escalators - it is MUCH faster.

Have fun.

Thank you Annesherrod! I appreciate your knowledge on this matter. From what I am being told my flight arrives in terminal 4 and my connecting flight leaves from terminal 4. Where should I have them meet me? Can they get to terminal 4 if they are not a ticketed passenger...? Thanks for the tip on the elevators...time is very important for this connection...

Any more advice or suggestions?

Thanks!

Shelley,

Yes, they can get into terminal 4. The Madrid airport is HUGE! I don't think you'll have any problems. I'd get a map for Terminal 4 and then decide where they should meet you. Good luck!

Even though you might have your boarding pass already, you could meet them at the airline desks where you would be getting it for the next flight. Then you can all go somewhere together .

You follow signs to "salida/equipajes" then go to SALIDAS and CHECK-IN. You will see the check- in counters for your flight listed on the monitors.. Your friends could wait for you there, or after luggage at arrivals (llegadas) unless someone can give you a better meeting point.

I think that American Express is the easiest place in any of the Madrid terminals-well known and marked.

So, is it on arrivals level or departures?

Thank you all for the wonderful posts...my flight will be arriving in Terminal 4 but I am coming from Italy so I will have to clear customs right? I assumed the airport in Venice would give me my connecting flights boarding pass or will I have to get it myself when I get there? It was all purchases as one ticket through American Airlines. Any ideas on how long it takes to get through customs and back through security for my flight? I won't have any luggage...just me.