From Santiago to Madrid

[Marc Hamel]

I'm sorry if this has been asked a lot before, but I have a hard time searching this forum for information.

I will be walking the Frances starting from SJPdP on September 5. I will be flying home from Madrid on October 13. I already have train reservations from Santiago to Madrid (Chamartin Station) on October 12. Does anyone have any recommendations once I reach Madrid on where to spend the night. My flight is at noon the following day. Should I stay in Madrid or try to get nearer to the airport? Any strong recommendations would be greatly appreciated. And if there is already a thread about this out there somewhere and someone can point me to it, I would be most appreciative!

 

[Johan]

In 2013 I stayed at the Hotel Chamartin at the station, but I suppose there maybe other options. Once you get to know the Metro, it is easy to get around.

It was my first trip overseas and my first Camino.

Buen Camino,
Johan

 

[AZgirl]

I think where you stay will depend on what you would like to do in Madrid. Will you have time/want to explore the city, or just catch up on sleep?

 

[Kanga]

@Marc Hamel this thread may help: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/accommodation-in-madrid.40374/

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Should I stay in Madrid or try to get nearer to the airport?

You cannot get to the airport "walking." You will have to take a taxi or public transportation. Therefore, being near the airport is not terribly important for catching your flight. I suggest that you pick a place by nearby tourist attractions or the subway/train. The Prado is a great museum, but perhaps should be renamed the Goya Museum! Visit it if you have the time.

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

The Prado is a great museum, but perhaps should be renamed the Goya Museum!

Ha ha, Goya Museum, been there once, I kind of agree! :O)

 

[CowboyJoe]

I'm sorry if this has been asked a lot before, but I have a hard time searching this forum for information.

I will be walking the Frances starting from SJPdP on September 5. I will be flying home from Madrid on October 13. I already have train reservations from Santiago to Madrid (Chamartin Station) on October 12. Does anyone have any recommendations once I reach Madrid on where to spend the night. My flight is at noon the following day. Should I stay in Madrid or try to get nearer to the airport? Any strong recommendations would be greatly appreciated. And if there is already a thread about this out there somewhere and someone can point me to it, I would be most appreciative!

Marc: I recently stayed at the hotel Melida Barajas in Madrid. It's not cheap--in the $100 EU range--but it's "close" to the airport (the international terminal is way out), it's very nice and they provide free airport shuttle every 15 minutes. Plus, they have a great buffet breakfast at 6:30 a.m. There is nothing close to the international terminal. I'd stay there again.

 

[whariwharangi]

Madrid Airport is connected by Metro to all of Madrid.

There are no limits on where to find practical accommodation.

Madrid Metro
https://www.metromadrid.es/en/index.html

Expedia is one of many websites where you can find information about hotels.
https://www.expedia.ca/

If you look at the expedia site you will find a large number of hotels in the Sol district of Madrid which is central downtown.

So find a hotel that suits your needs and take the Metro in the morning.

 

[Castilian]

Should I stay in Madrid or try to get nearer to the airport?

Stay in downtown Madrid. If your train arrives late, look for a hotel close to Chamartín train station (there's one at the train station itself but it may or may not be within your budget). Next day, take the Cercanías train from Chamartín train station to the airport.

If your train doesn't arrive to Madrid late, I would suggest to look for accommodation close to Atocha train station from where the next day you can take either a Cercanías train to the airport or the Express bus.

The Prado is a great museum, but perhaps should be renamed the Goya Museum!

If you are a Goya fan, on your next visit to Madrid, you should visit the Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida: www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/ermita-de-san-antonio-de-la-florida if you don't know it yet.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Marc,

If your flight leaves at noon, you probably don't have to be at the airport till 10. To get to Barajas from central Madrid by 10 am, you can sleep in (by camino standards). I would stay in central Madrid near the Puerta del Sol (tons of places in all price ranges), and then take the Cercanías train out to the airport. IMO, the Cercanías is highly preferable to the metro. It is faster and I have never heard of pickpockets on the Cercanías (though I'm sure there are some, they are much less likely to be a problem than on the metro). You have to change in Chamartín to the C1 line, but it is painless and very well explained when you arrive.

Lots to see and do, and lots to eat and drink in this area of Madrid, it's a nice way to spend your last night in Spain. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[peregrina2000]

If you are a Goya fan, on your next visit to Madrid, you should visit the Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida: www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/ermita-de-san-antonio-de-la-florida if you don't know it yet.

And if you go here, you should not pass up the opportunity to eat roast chicken at Casa Mingo. I was surprised to learn that this place, which I knew from my year in Madrid in 1970, was still going strong!

 

[Castilian]

And if you go here, you should not pass up the opportunity to eat roast chicken at Casa Mingo. I was surprised to learn that this place, which I knew from my year in Madrid in 1970, was still going strong!

There are several restaurants in Madrid that were founded in the XIXth century that are still in service... And you have also Casa Botín (founded in the XVIIIth century), that it's said to be the oldest restaurant continously operating not just in Madrid but in the world and where it's said Goya worked some time as dishwasher.

 

[Marc Hamel]

Muchas gracias to all of you for your replies and support - I'm now off to research all of your suggestions!

I think where you stay will depend on what you would like to do in Madrid. Will you have time/want to explore the city, or just catch up on sleep?

HI AZgirl - I'll have an afternoon and evening in Madrid and would love to see some of the city - perhaps a visit to the Prado.