Can you recommend a private transfer service from Madrid airport? My daughter and friend will be arriving after a very L O N G flight, so wanted to set that up for them. They need it for April 11th ( next Sat). Thank you!!

Hi,

The only one I'm familiar with is aerocity shuttle, aerocity.com . I have not used it personally but my understanding is that they have been around for a while and are reputable.

Having just come back from Madrid, and experienced once again a scam from a taxi driver to the airport I will never again use a cab to or from Barajas airport. My son who joined us there also was taken "for a ride" and overcharged from the airport to the apt. I have been numerous times to Madrid and this is thet third time it happens to me , 4 times counting my son's experience. I speak Spanish and I'm familiar with Madrid , but unfortunately that is no protection from these characters.

Thanks so much for the information, cruiseluv! Isn't it amazing that the authorities can't put an end to these kinds of scams?!

Anyway, neither my daughter or her friend speak Spanish, so will try the recommended company. Thanks again!

If we report the scam to the authorities they can try to do something about it. Each cabbie has a registration number and license that identifies him. Their advantage is they have got you, as who has the time to deal with this. If you are lucky and the scam is arriving at the airport you could probably find a cop to help out. But if it happens leaving the airport..

I, too, was charged for an airport pick up supplement(valid) AND bus station drop off supplement ( scam)once. I argued with him for awhile in perfect Spanish, but he kept insisting I was wrong. But since I didn't have the exact change of what I THOUGHT and knew I owed him.. I had to let him get his way. Otherwise i would have told him to denounce me but he probably would not have let my luggage out of the trunk.

I should have reported him but I was so tired.. just wanted to run and get a bus ticket as fast as I could.

Once home in Valencia I did call the Madrid Taxi Association and they verified what I had said. Only one supplement leaving the airport, but if they pick you up AT a station, there is also a drop off fee at the airport, so you do pay two supplements in that case. It gets pricey. I hadn't written down his license number, so nothing they could do. Next time I think I will write down each and every taxi license number.

That is why I love that 1 euro bus that leaves the airport every 10-15 minutes to Avenida America. But this time I had two cases PLUS carry-on and was trying to catch a bus to Valencia in a tight timeframe.

What happened to you, cruiseluv?

Lin,

We had the hotel call a cab. When he got there, after 5-10 mins, his meter already was at 7 Euros. I didn't complain about this because I know if you call they set their meter from that point. There was no traffic going to Barajas as it was a Sunday. By the time we got to T1 the meter was at 29+. We get there and he puts a supplement on the meter of 8.50. I asked him what the heck was that and he mumbled it was an airport supplement. I told him that it didn't apply if he was dropping off, plus in any case that supplement is 5.50. He then claimed it was due to our lugagge, which of course is not true.
I looked around to see if I saw any police but didn't. I was just afraid the guy would take off with my lugagge! So I gave in and paid. My mistake was that I should have asked him for a receipt and write down his license plate or ID number to call and report him.

Weadles Hi !!!
How are you?
I just arrived last night to Madrid and used Aerocity transport shuttle service from the airport. Great great service. It is a shared shuttle service with a maximum of three stops (there was only one other couple with us so we had one other stop before being dropped at our hotel. Highly recommended. Cost was 23 Euros for two people. Book in advance. Good luck!!

cruiseluv.. I know. Afterwards it makes you so mad not to have taken the time.. but I, too, was in a rush!

I will consider Aerocity next time I have luggage and not taking the bus in.. because I rarely get by for less than 25-30 euros to my Madrid destination.

Hey Flame123,

Thanks to cruiseluv, I've booked Aerocity Shuttle, and they've already sent me the reservation info. I don't know what I'd do without the wonderful help of the posters like you and cruiseluv on Fodors!

How was Madrid? Separate post? Going to Paris Friday to check in with wandering daughter who's been studying there. Can't wait!

Hola Weadles!!

Still here in Madrid. Only GOT here last night. First impressions - great city. Feet are already killing me though. Will try to post trip report when I get back in about a week. Have a good time in Paris (how long?)

All the best

Thanks for the info.

My mother and I go to Madrid in May and I had been debating about how to get to/from the airport. (She thinks she wants to the subway NOW, but when we land it's another matter!) Think I will book this to get us to the hotel!

Really, I live in Spain and would not ever consider taking the subway to my hotel unless it were on the same exact line AND nearby the station.

This shuttle seems fine, and it will give you peace of mind.

If you really want to do public transportation part of the way, the airport bus is outside each terminal crsossing over from the taxi stands.

It will take you to the beginning of Maria de Molina Avenue for 1 euro, which is a hop away from the Salamanca area and about a 6-8 euro taxi ride to the Prado Museum.

The front of the bus will say "Intercambiador Av. America". They are very frequent, about every 10 minutes, but sometimes two come almost right in a row.

Lin,

I was fuming for about an hour after he dropped us at the airport! On the other hand, my husband couldn't care less! Regarding the bus, is this the type of bus that you can place your lugagge in the "belly" of the bus?
And I agree with you, I can't envision anybody with a regular size suitcase navigating the metro and going up and down stairs!

Cases are inside ( with you) on big racks from floor to ceiling. I am linking a better explanation from a post last year.

I am almost certain there is a lift somewhere at that station, (I think they are obligated) but I have never used it. I have been trying to google to find out, but if there isn't, you DO have steps up to street level here, also.

Since I go to Madrid alone often, this is my FAVORITE Airport-City solution. Gets me to the best part of town in no time.


http://preview.tinyurl.com/cy4uxz

Looks like there is NOT a lift there YET. This place will be undergoing an extreme make-over but staying open the entire time, starting this summer. And then it will have 5 lifts and be 100% accessible with special features for the blind.

Also, re taxi supplements. All trips TO and FROM the airport have the supplement. But only trips ORIGINATING from stations have the supplement. Ex: If you are picked up at a bus/train station taxi stand and dropped off at the airport.. you pay TWO supplements, and this is the only case where that happens.

You can avoid the station supplement ( of course we are getting a bit chinzy here, but I admit to having done it frequently when luggage is no hassle) you walk AWAY from the stations a bit, or cross the road and get a moving taxi.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I am trying to get WEADLES attention over on an old Punta Del Estes thread. If you see this, please go to your old thread and answer my question, if you don't mind. Thanks for all your patience!