Getting to Madrid Airport in time for 10:45a flight

Hi, cnissi,
The train from Santiago arrives in the Chamartin train station. From there it is a 12-15 minute ride on the Cercanias trains (commuter line) to T4 of the Madrid airport, Barajas. You don't say which airline you are flying -- if it's Iberia or a code share partner like American, you will be leaving from T4. If it's another airline, you'll be flying out of T1 or T2. So if you need to get to T1 or T2 from T4, you will need to take the airport shuttle bus. The shuttle buses run frequently but T4 is a long way away from the rest of the airport. Maybe as long as a 20 minute bus ride.

If you are flying Ryan Air from Santiago, I think it arrives in T1. If your flight for Lisbon leaves from T1 or T2 it'll be a short walk. If it leaves from T4 you'll have to take that same shuttle bus to T4.

In my experience, checking in at the Madrid airport takes a long time, also. Either of these options would be too close for comfort for me but others might disagree. I would probably come in the day before, spend the afternoon and evening in Madrid, and then take the train out to the airport from downtown in the morning.

For your next Camino you should consider booking your ticket with a Santiago departure. That way if the plane is late and you miss your connection, it's not your problem.

Hi, cnissi,
The Santiago airport is about a 30 minute bus ride or a much shorter cab ride. The bus leaves from the Plaza de Galicia and the stop is well marked. Buses run every half hour, I think the first one is at 6 am. Buy your ticket on the bus, it's about 3 euros.

It would give you alot more time in Madrid if you fly, that's for sure. Buen camino, Laurie