Maybe its the economy, but it appears that Madrid taxis will not accept 4 people with 4 pieces of luggage, unlike taxis in other parts of Spain. We encountered it a couple of weeks ago when taking a taxi to Atocha station and again yesterday when leaving Atocha station. The drivers said that they would accept three passengers with luggage, but not a forth.

We encountered no problems in Sevilla, Granada or elsewhere in Andalucia on this trip and have never had a problem in the North.

Interesting.....Thanks for the info Robert.
I would think the "crisis" is the cause. Did you find alot of construction everywhere?

To tell the truth depending on the amount of luggage I would not have been able to fit 4 passengers in anyway.
Even on our trip we had a norm of 3 pax per taxi....(too much shopping I guess)

We had one wheeled carry-on size (21") and smaller carry-on each. As I mentioned, the taxi drivers in Granada, Sevilla and elsewhere had no problem. Same size taxis. It's more a scam to spread the wealth than anything else because of the economy. They must figure that if you're traveling, you can afford it. We've noted that more people are taking the bus and metro, or walking around Madrid.

Construction is everywhere in the center of the city. Besides the new water and electrical lines, they appear to be building new underground parking garages in several areas and putting in new elevators to the metro. The plaza in front of the Villa Real is a real mess and the upper part of Calle del Prado is still undergoing work, as are several other streets in the area.

Yes I belive it. This past Oct construction was everywhere!

Frankly, another good reason to take the shuttle from the airport and not the taxi. I am done with the scams by the Madrid cab drivers.

Wonder where all the money for the construction projects is coming from.

I am planning to stay for a few days at Hotel El Prado. Can cars go up the street by the hotel? Thanks.

Access to the Hotel El Prado will remain open during the construction period. Calle de Ventura de la Vega, which connects to c/del Prado, was repaved last spring. Once the work is complete from the Hotel Prado to the Plaza Santa Ana, they will redirect the traffic from Cerrera de San Jeronimo along Ventura de la Vega onto C/del Prado toward the Villa Real and Westin Palace, reversing the normal traffic flow until the work is complete.

Thanks Robert.

My mistake on the routing for the next phase of the construction on C/del Prado. They will be routing the traffic up C/del Prado to Plaza Santa Ana at the Hotel Prado, away from the the Villa Real and Westin. It will be awhile before they open the area in front of Villa Real. It appears they are putting in a new underground parking garage in the Plaza de las Cortes to serve the Congreso de los Diputados.

does anyone have information on the shuttles mentioned here? we will be three travelling with luggage and I thought our hotel listed a shuttle to/from the airport as one of their services. but, in case that's not true (it's been a while since I saw that) I'd like a back-up plan and maybe taking one of these other shuttles is the way to go. thanks much for any information!

I believe this is the website, is called Aerocity

http://www.aerocity.com/

To avoid any hassle with taxis I have used Aerocity for my trip from the airport to Madrid.You need to reserve with a credit card but pay the driver with cash,so be prepared!The only glitch I had with them was when my flight was delayed and I had to wait a while for the next driver.Not their fault -they did have other passengers waiting and so couldn't wait for me.

if you book aerocity shuttle, where would they pick you up?
how many stops do they make in the city ( to drop off other passengers)?

They have a desk in the terminals where you check in and wait for the driver to take you to the van.I have been the only passenger and the most has been another couple.I have used them to/from the airport.

thank you.

you raise a good question danon....I didn't think about where they would pick you up. and I'm still not sure. do they pick you up at your hotel? or at certain points in the city? for a trip to the airport. thanks much!

The driver comes to get you at the desk in the terminal when you arrive.On the return to the airport they come to the hotel!The day before I always call to check what time the van will arrive to take me to the airport.

oh wow, that is great! thanks so much chapla! appreciate it greatly.

TTT for Lyan