Hi: Taking a trip to Malaga via Madrid in mid June. Our flight is from New York to Madrid.

I had assumed that the Talgo 200 train would be the best way to go. But Air Europa, Iberia and Spanair all seem to to be much cheaper than a 1st class rail ticket, and of course much faster.

Anyone have any experience with/or recommendations for air travel between Madrid and Malaga?

I haven't done that particular route, but with the low rates available at least in Spanair, to me it would be a no brainer. You are already at the airport so from a logistics point of view it makes more sense than claiming your lugagge, getting a cab and going to Atocha to take a train that takes 4+ hours to Malaga.

I have transfered planes when I have gone through Madrid to Santiago or Sevilla. I have been able to check through my lugagge from my city of origin( Newark) to either of those cities eventhough I was flying Continental on the Newark- Madrid portion and then had to switch to Iberia or Spanair.

cruiseluv: thanks very much for the advice. We go to Malaga the day after we arrive in Madrid (we're going to stroll around Madrid and decompress), but the airfares do make it a no-brainer. Any Madrid hotel advice? Thanks!

Hi,

I recommend the Villa Real (www.derbyhotels.es). It's located almost in front of the Prado museum and very close to Plaza Santa Ana which I love for tapas. We stayed there last summer and I'll be staying there again this summer. Got a good rate at their website.

Good luck!

In March we did the exact thing you are doing. But flew to Madrid arriving early morning and waiting around till 11 am to fly to Magaga. We were on Iberia and it still was a walk from international to domestic flights. Picked up a car in Malaga airport and drove to Costa del sol (Westin). The day we left we drop off the car at the airport and had a short walk to a commuter train it arrived 1/2 block from the main train station. Took the Talgo 200 to Madrid and it was 4+ hours. Stayed at the Westin Palace in Madrid which is a good location. A bit pricy. If any other question let me know.