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Hi- considering a weekend in Madrid to use my Marriot free night at the Aloft. Is it easy to get from the airport to Gran Via using the metro? Is it worth purchasing a 2 day pass before going? Any suggestions for an outdoor seating tapas bar nearby? thanks
Sorry can’t help on metro (I always use the 30€ fixed fare taxi) but a word of warning about the Aloft – great location but right beside a nightclub that stays open very late, especially weekends, and echoes through the Aloft walls
Yes, easy to get to Gran Via from the airport using the metro, though note there are 1 or 2 changes, depending on which route you take. And not all of the changes have escalators. I ended up carrying cases up/down some stairs when we did the trip last November.
Hi thanks for the advice – we will only have hand luggage and minimal – i understand traffic can be very bad hence my reluctance to use a taxi but we may do this on the return.
noted re noise – will take my ear – plugs!
any advice on 2 day pass if we do catch the metro and outside tapas nearby?I’ve found taxi from the airport quick and easy, though I gather the metro links are also decent. You could also look at each buying a 10 journey metro ticket for getting around the city.
Not sure about tapas bars near there, but Chocolateria San Gines does amazing churros and has outdoor seating. Bar La Campana has no outdoor seating but you can get a sandwich and take it to the square – calamari sandwiches are excellent.
I’ve found taxi from the airport quick and easy, though I gather the metro links are also decent. You could also look at each buying a 10 journey metro ticket for getting around the city.
Not sure about tapas bars near there, but Chocolateria San Gines does amazing churros and has outdoor seating. Bar La Campana has no outdoor seating but you can get a sandwich and take it to the square – calamari sandwiches are excellent.
+1, taxi to Grand Via is the way to go. Prebook a car with Viator, Amex, holiday autos, whichever you prefer. Much easier that way as you get met at arrivals and dropped off right outside your property. It’s one of the few cities I’d do that.
On past visits, the easiest way to get a taxi was just walking up to the taxi queue at the airport – very well organised, and took a minute or two to get in a cab. Not been since travel demand picked up post-covid, though
Local train T4-Recoletos or Nuevos Ministerios is fastest way to the centre.
Without wanting to state the obvious, July will be v hot, and in Aug. no-one will be there/bars will close!
Pez Tortilla is pretty decent for what it is.Cannot help with the Hotel as I used to live in Madrid so stay with relatives when I am there.
For transport, I recommend you use Uber and/or Cabify (the Spanish Uber) to move around town. FreeNow also allows you to order normal cabs and check the fare before.
Be careful with the €30 flat fare to the airport. It is supposed to include everything but drivers are known to add “extras” (luggage, late pick up, etc. ) which are not real.
For food, avoid anywhere with brits or tourists (sorry guys) and go where you see Spaniards haha. If you want a more local experience, move away from the touristy centre of Gran Via (basically don’t sit in Plaza Mayor) and go out in Calle Ponzano or Doctor Castelo. Any place there will be good.
Enjoy Madrid!
On past visits, the easiest way to get a taxi was just walking up to the taxi queue at the airport – very well organised, and took a minute or two to get in a cab. Not been since travel demand picked up post-covid, though
When I was there this March the taxi queue was insane – hundreds of people. As was the immigration queue for non-EU as several long-haul flights had landed from the Americas at the same time.
On past visits, the easiest way to get a taxi was just walking up to the taxi queue at the airport – very well organised, and took a minute or two to get in a cab. Not been since travel demand picked up post-covid, though
When I was there this March the taxi queue was insane – hundreds of people. As was the immigration queue for non-EU as several long-haul flights had landed from the Americas at the same time.
Wow – noted for next time I’m back there
On past visits, the easiest way to get a taxi was just walking up to the taxi queue at the airport – very well organised, and took a minute or two to get in a cab. Not been since travel demand picked up post-covid, though
When I was there this March the taxi queue was insane – hundreds of people. As was the immigration queue for non-EU as several long-haul flights had landed from the Americas at the same time.
Wow – noted for next time I’m back there
That’s why I said prebook a transfer 🙂
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