Madrid info
 

First: Does Mirabel have a guide for Madrid? If so, where can I get it? I have her excellent Seville guide and used it a couple of years ago during a visit.

Second: Any recommendations on traveling to Lisbon from Madrid? I read about the expensive night train. Would a cheap flight be better time wise and price wise? How a rental car with a dropoff in Lisbon?

I forgot to include my e-mail address: rdfarr(at)yahoo(dot)com

Thanks in advance to anyone who can e-mail me the Mirabel Madrid file.

You can get the info from Mirabel's site:

http://maribelsguides.com/

We rented a car in Lisbon and dropped off in Madrid but had to pay a VERY large drop-off fee. Another time I flew from Madrid to Lisbon on Vueling, www.vueling.com. Much better for time and price.

Nikki, how was you experience with the car driving wise: quality of roads, rest stops, signage, etc?
I did find a auto rental without a big drop-off charge, but I'm still not sure I want the hassle of driving. A cheap flight might be the best option. I like trains, but the price is far too high for the distance.

The roads were fine, rest stops normal. The only reason we rented the car was because we were spending a few days in the Alentejo. If I were going directly from Madrid to Lisbon, I would definitely fly.

There are Bus (MotorCoach) Lines that do that route in about 7-hours daytime or overnight. Not much scenery across Extremadura so the latter might be the preferred way to go.
As for driving: when you cross the border into Portugal, you pick up a limited-access expressway. The Bus I rode on was clocking about 150km / hr. It scared me!

Maybe the bus would not be too bad. Sure is a lot cheaper.
Does the bus make many stops along the way? Did it stop in Evora or other cities interesting to travelers? Could break up the trip with an overnight stop along the way.

Thanks

I don't know how much the bus costs, but I checked the prices to fly on Vueling. You don't say when you are traveling, but I picked a random date in two months and found fares for 35 euros.

rdfarr,
We took an EasyJet flight from Madrid to Lisbon in May. Cost was 55Euro for two people, no checked luggage which costs extra. Flight left Madrid at 1:10PM and arrived in Lisbon 1:25PM (one hour time difference) We found EastJet to be a perfectly fine low cost airline. We booked the flight on-line beforehand.

From Lisbon back into Spain (Seville) we took a bus (Alsa bus co.). The bus took several hours, traveling through the Algarve region and making a few stops along the way. It was pleasant and allowed us to view a little of Portugal. We booked this bus trip once we got to Spain.

I guess it depends on how much time you have and what you'd like to see along the way. I would suggest either one. Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the responses. It looks like cheap air is the best way to go, all considered.

Hi rdfarr,
You can download my guide in pdf from my travel web page that adrienne was very kind to post. I've recently completely updated it, and I do post regular short "up dates", so check again before you leave.

I agree with Nikki and Kathleen regarding flying versus bus, timewise. And as to pricewise, since Easy Jet, TAP, Vueling and Iberia all fly that route, you should still be able to find a decent air fare.

Hola Maribel & welcome back home it has not been the same without you.

Updated info on Madrid in the monthly 'esmadrid magazine':
http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do?IDM=750&NM=2

The drop-off fee is high but you get the chance to see other destinations on the way. For me that was worth the price