Barajas Airport Transfer

[Peregrina 2013]

Flying AA from US and arriving at Barajas 9:05 terminal T4 and on to Oviedo on Iberia at 11:40 also from T4. Hopefully, enough time? I will not have any checked luggage, but with my hiking poles in a case inside my pack I'm concerned Iberia will still want my backpack checked.

My tickets were purchased separately, so, will I have to check in again at the main terminal or simply go to the desk at the departure gate and check in there? I don't want to miss my connecting flight! Anyone with a similar experience that can give me any pertinent advice? I will be forever grateful

 

[J Willhaus]

The poles are a risk. Maybe think of buying a set when you arrive and then you should have plenty of time. In my experience, they rarely post the gate number to flights until shortly before boarding so don't let that worry you.

 

[Scott Sweeney]

Flying AA from US and arriving at Barajas 9:05 terminal T4 and on to Oviedo on Iberia at 11:40 also from T4. Hopefully, enough time? I will not have any checked luggage, but with my hiking poles in a case inside my pack I'm concerned Iberia will still want my backpack checked.

My tickets were purchased separately, so, will I have to check in again at the main terminal or simply go to the desk at the departure gate and check in there? I don't want to miss my connecting flight! Anyone with a similar experience that can give me any pertinent advice? I will be forever grateful

The poles will have to be checked. They won't stay with you. And I agree, buy new poles in Spain.

 

[Terrri]

Last time we flew we checked only our poles. No issues, and that is the plan again this time.

 

[RJM]

That sounds to me to be enough time. I too have done the separate tickets thing when flying to a nearby destination from Madrid, or back to Madrid.
In regard to the poles. I would recommend getting an inexpensive, lightweight duffel type bag and put the trekking poles in there and have them be checked on baggage. You can also put any liquids, etc that you will be using and that allows you to forgo carrying them in your backpack which is a carry-on (I like mine as small and light as possible). I do that with my trekking poles and my toiletries and even a small pocket knife which I use for bread, cheese and chorizo on the Camino. Having the duffel bag allows you to repeat the process going home. I have also done it with a cardboard box which I disposed of in Madrid or Porto, but the issue there is getting another one before going home. The time I used a duffel it did not weigh much and it stayed flattened out at the bottom of my backpack when I was walking.
I have also just bought trekking poles in Spain and left them in Santiago or Fisterre. They cost me about 20 euros a pair and did the job well.

 

[Peregrina 2013]

Thank you all! It's seems that the easiest solution will be to simply get a pair of hiking poles in Spain. I've flown directly to Madrid or Portugal from the US before, and typically have taken a bus or a train to my next destination without any trouble with the poles in my pack. I can understand why it could be a problem flying domestically - especially this time we live in! 20 € is a very inexpensive investment and it'll save me the hassle and worry I appreciate your sound advice!

 

[trecile]

I don't want to miss my connecting flight!

I'm sorry to say, but you don't have connecting flights. True connections are all on one ticket. I agree that your best bet is to buy poles in Oviedo. There are a couple of Decathlon stores and other hiking stores there.

 

[Pilgrim1960]

I would recommend you just find a Decathelon store and buy them there. Not very expensive and good enough to last the camino.

 

[Peregrina 2013]

I would recommend you just find a Decathelon store and buy them there. Not very expensive and good enough to last the camino.

Thank you, I know exactly where one is in Oviedo

 

[Felipe]

They are in the same airport, but actually international and national flights are different sections. As I remember it, you arrive, go through migration and customs, leave to the lobby and look for the terminal of your domestic flight. Check your tickets, and look for the "T1, T2...." or similar register. Don't worry, there is an efficient internal transportation system.
Generally speaking, I consider that two hours is a good time window for a flight connection...
Buen camino!

 

[Peregrina 2013]

I'm sorry to say, but you don't have connecting flights. True connections are all on one ticket. I agree that your best bet is to buy poles in Oviedo. There are a couple of Decathlon stores and other hiking stores there.

I know, but the airport here will check me through. I will go through customs in Madrid, obviously, but landing and departing from the same terminal won't be a problem after all. Plus, I won't have any luggage to worry about

 

[Scott Sweeney]

Last time we flew we checked only our poles. No issues, and that is the plan again this time.

Last time we flew we checked only our poles. No issues, and that is the plan again this time.

Last time we flew we checked only our poles. No issues, and that is the plan again this time.

We've bought over in Spain and mailed them back to home. Down side, we have now have multiple sets.

 

[J Willhaus]

If you ever happen to be in Santiago before the start of a Camino, my husband got a nice set of poles from Pilgrim House one winter. He said they had tons to chose from.

 

[henrythedog]

Leave the poles at home as others have said.

Can you check in online for the Iberia flight? You’ll still have to go through immigration at Barajas and back through security I would have thought; but that’ll save some time.

Two hours should be fine.

 

[pjacobi]

If connecting tickets are purchased together, airlines will get to your final destination, even in the event of a flight delay of a connecting flight.

If tickets are purchased separately on different airlines, there is no requirement to get you to your final destination.

For example, I flew United to Paris, then on EasyJet to Biarritz. If my United flight was late, I would be considered a no-show for EasyJet flight, with no refund or re-route - a total loss! Luckily all went well.

Hope for the best but have a backup plan which may require extra cash, such as purchasing a last-minute flight or going by train.


-Paul

 

[Peregrina 2013]

We've bought over in Spain and mailed them back to home. Down side, we have now have multiple sets.

I think I might just donate mine at the end in SDC. I, too have several sets already here for backpacking, so probably won't bring another pair to add to the collection;-)

 

[Peregrina 2013]

Leave the poles at home as others have said.

Can you check in online for the Iberia flight? You’ll still have to go through immigration at Barajas and back through security I would have thought; but that’ll save some time.

Two hours should be fine.

That's brilliant! I will certainly do that before I leave home Thank you!

 

[Peregrina 2013]

If connecting tickets are purchased together, airlines will get to your final destination, even in the event of a flight delay of a connecting flight.

If tickets are purchased separately on different airlines, there is no requirement to get you to your final destination.

For example, I flew United to Paris, then on EasyJet to Biarritz. If my United flight was late, I would be considered a no-show for EasyJet flight, with no refund or re-route - a total loss! Luckily all went well.

Hope for the best but have a backup plan which may require extra cash, such as purchasing a last-minute flight or going by train.


-Paul

Absolutely! The trials and tribulations of a true traveller is to overcome them Thank you!

 

[Grousedoctor]

We are doing a similar flight scenario in April. Flying into Madrid on American and then catching an Iberia flight a few hours later to Porto. I prefer not to check my pack. Therefore, we’ll grab a couple sets of poles in Porto. As we have planned two nights there, getting to an outfitter shouldn’t be any problem.

 

[Peregrina 2013]

Leave the poles at home as others have said.

Can you check in online for the Iberia flight? You’ll still have to go through immigration at Barajas and back through security I would have thought; but that’ll save some time.

Two hours should be fine.

Exactly! I have no desire to add stress to a simple flight. Definitely buying trekking poles in Oviedo!

 

[Peregrina 2013]

If you ever happen to be in Santiago before the start of a Camino, my husband got a nice set of poles from Pilgrim House one winter. He said they had tons to chose from.

Maybe when I get to Oviedo I'll check at the albergue first to see if they have any there before going to Decathlon. At the end I just might add to the albergue's trekking poles collection in Santiago when I get there

 

[Peregrina 2013]

They are in the same airport, but actually international and national flights are different sections. As I remember it, you arrive, go through migration and customs, leave to the lobby and look for the terminal of your domestic flight. Check your tickets, and look for the "T1, T2...." or similar register. Don't worry, there is an efficient internal transportation system.
Generally speaking, I consider that two hours is a good time window for a flight connection...
Buen camino!

Luckily my flight will also depart from the same T4 terminal where I'll arrive from the US. Without the worry of checking my trekking poles on the Iberia flight I'm pretty confident that time won't be an issue Thank you!

 

[Peregrina 2013]

We are doing a similar flight scenario in April. Flying into Madrid on American and then catching an Iberia flight a few hours later to Porto. I prefer not to check my pack. Therefore, we’ll grab a couple sets of poles in Porto. As we have planned two nights there, getting to an outfitter shouldn’t be any problem.

That's exactly what I'll do too. Makes more sense and it eases my mind Thank you!

 

[David with new Kit!]

If you ever happen to be in Santiago before the start of a Camino, my husband got a nice set of poles from Pilgrim House one winter. He said they had tons to chose from.

We donated ours there in September 2021.
It cost us 24 euros to buy them as we did not want any hassle with our own poles.
Seems cheap at the price, instead of wondering if poles will get lost or confiscated
Each to their own of course

 

[Peregrina 2013]

It's the easiest solution and I agree with you, David, about not needing any hassle. It'll simply give me peace of mind;-) Thank you!