Madrid airport connection to Porto

[MQB]

We are beginning our Camino in Porto. Iberia airlines has a flight from Boston to Madrid to Porto, with 1 hr 5 minute layover in Madrid. As a US citizen, won't I have to clear customs or passport control before going on to Porto? I'm worried that is not enough time. Our other option is a longer layover or flying to Lisbon and taking the train to Porto. Any thoughts appreciated

 

[naplesdon]

Airlines rarely sell tickets that make a connection impossible, that being said I've missed a few. The time that the duty and immigration process takes in European is much better than the US but the Madrid airport is large and you need to be prepared to navigate it quickly.
I met one person a few years ago who took the train from Madrid to Porto and she left her backpack in the public area of the train and it was not there when she got off the train. There are lots of cautionary stories about pickpockets and other opportunists around the airport and train station.

 

[Castilian]

won't I have to clear customs or passport control before going on to Porto?

Yes, you'll have to clear both customs and immigration.

I'm worried that is not enough time.

The minimum transit time in Madrid airport between two flights like yours is 55 minutes. That's the legal minimum and it's supposed to allow people enough time as to get from one flight to the next one on time if both flights are on time. You would have 10 extra minutes to make it.

 

[whariwharangi]

We are beginning our Camino in Porto. Iberia airlines has a flight from Boston to Madrid to Porto, with 1 hr 5 minute layover in Madrid. As a US citizen, won't I have to clear customs or passport control before going on to Porto? I'm worried that is not enough time. Our other option is a longer layover or flying to Lisbon and taking the train to Porto. Any thoughts appreciated

If you have a choice ... get one with longer layover. You might make the 1:05 through customs .... but your baggage is also part of the equation and I would feel uncomfortable about the short layover on that basis alone.

 

[MQB]

Airlines rarely sell tickets that make a connection impossible, that being said I've missed a few. The time that the duty and immigration process takes in European is much better than the US but the Madrid airport is large and you need to be prepared to navigate it quickly.
I met one person a few years ago who took the train from Madrid to Porto and she left her backpack in the public area of the train and it was not there when she got off the train. There are lots of cautionary stories about pickpockets and other opportunists around the airport and train station.

Thank you!

 

[MQB]

Yes, you'll have to clear both customs and immigration.



The minimum transit time in Madrid airport between two flights like yours is 55 minutes. That's the legal minimum and it's supposed to allow people enough time as to get from one flight to the next one on time if both flights are on time. You would have 10 extra minutes to make it.

Good info- thank you!

 

[Bisnick]

I would take the flight into Lisbon and take the train up to Porto. I used this train two years ago. Trains are very regular but make sure you take the express service, they are obvious on the timetable and also check out the price of first class, it was only a few euro more.