I know that the airport in Madrid has an official "meeting point" designated. But I am going to be arriving there and meeting up with three other couples who are arriving on three different flights at different times. I want to pick a relaxing spot for us to meet up--some place where we can sit and have coffee? I don't know if it will be best to meet in Terminal 1 or Terminal 4. Can anyone suggest a convenient place (in each terminal) for me to tell people to meet up? Is there a particular restaurant or coffee sop that I can designate?--and how do I describe where to go? Many thanks!

Do you know which terminals you're arriving into? T4 is very far from the other terminals (2 metro stops away). So, I suggest you figure out which terminals all of you are flying into first and post it here, then we can suggest a meeting place.

It appears that some are arriving at Terminal 1 and some at Terminal 4. Those arriving Terminal 1 will get in about 2 hours before the people arriving Terminal 4. So we plan to meet up some place at Terminal 4 and then head off together. I am very familiar with Terminal 1, but have only flown to Terminal 4 one time. And I do know it's big. That's why I am wondering where I can tell people to meet up. I'm sure everyone will exit through the same door from customs/luggage area. We could wait outside that door, I'm sure--but do you know if there is a cafe or such very close by where we could sit as we wait? Thanks a zillion.

I've only flown out of T4 but never into T4. Looking at the airport map, looks like there are some cafe/restaurants just outside of the arrival hall in T4 (Level 0)
http://www.aena.es/cartografia/termi...mp;t=4&p=0

marybeth,
I thought about your question when I arrived at T4 last week. I think the best place for you to meet in T4 will be right outside the international arrivals hall at the Medeas cafeteria.

This cafe is immediately to the left of the exit doors, where your party will come out of customs and baggage claim.

Maribel--
It turns out that my friends actually arrive at Terminal 4S. But I belive there is just one exit/baggage/customs area that serves both terminal 4 and 4S--is this right? So will they exit near the Medeas cafe?

And one more question....
How long would you estimate it will take to arrive at Terminal 1, get luggage, go through Customs, then transfer to Terminal 4?

They'll exit T4 through the doors to the right of the Medas cafetería when you're standing there at the cafetería waiting for them.

The timing of your second question depends on how many international flights arrive at the same time at T1, how many customs agents are on duty, how light a passenger load on your plane, how long it takes to unload luggage and how many bags you've checked...Once you pick up your bags, you sail through and out the doors to catch the shuttle bus to T4, which is 4 km. away.

On a very good day it could take you 30 min. to make the transfer to the downstairs arrivals area of T4 using the shuttle bus that runs from T1-2-3 to T4.

During high season when several full flights land at the same time, when luggage unloading goes at a snail's pace, it could take 50 min. or more.

Hard question to answer, since it depends on several factors (including no missing bags!).