Madrid Travel Forum

Hi Everyone!

I'm a single traveler arriving in Madrid on midnight of 29th Jul 08 on EasyJet. Taking a noon flight on EasyJet to Barcelona on 5th Aug 08.

Tentatively, plans now is to spend time in Madrid from 3rd (Sunday) cos of the El Rastro & Bullfights! I'm not too sure how I should plan my itinerary before that.

First Question before everything:
"Should I spend the night of 29th in the Airport? My flight touches down @ midnight exactly & I'm worried I might miss the trains. On a budget so cabs are out of the question."

Now for the daytrips. My options are:
1) Avila
2) El Escorial
3) Segovia
4) Toledo

I intend to start on the 30th Jul (Wed) morning, and must be back in Madrid on 2nd Aug (Sat) night.

Question 2:
"How should I plan these 4 locations into the 4 days such that I have enough time to explore? Or is it worth to visit all those areas? I'm pretty confident Madrid has enough things to fill in the blanks. =)"

Question 3:
"When planning, should I plan a night @ these locations or return to Madrid @ night? I've secured a booking in Madrid for 19 euros a night. If its cheaper to sleep in Madrid, that's what I wanna do."

Cheers!

madridplanmark

Can help but only in part. Of all European Cities Madrid is not among my faves, and I have known a few. Madrid has loads of things to see especially if you are an Art lover. The Prado of course, buts its huge. The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza is smaller but with such a wonderful collection it was my favorite by far.

Another place worth a visit is the Palacio Real with sumptuous interiors. Outside the Plaza Major is a huge central square & very striking.

Don't think about dinner before 9pm in Madrid, they just get going then. Choice of restaurants is huge and they are mostly great. If 9pm is too late find a Taberna or bar and have some Tapas, a couple of these delicious small plates may be all you need.

Outside Madrid I love Toledo, see my pages of my recent trip. I would have loved to visit El Escorial but had no chance. If I had another day I would recommend Siguenza NE towards Zaragoza, one of my all time favorites, see my Gualdaljara page.

"Should I spend the night of 29th in the Airport? My flight touches down @ midnight exactly & I'm worried I might miss the trains. On a budget so cabs are out of the question."

www.metromadrid.es/

Most of the lines ride till 2.00. so unless you get any delays, there should not be a problem to go to the city.

How should I plan these 4 locations into the 4 days such that I have enough time to explore? Or is it worth to visit all those areas? I'm pretty confident Madrid has enough things to fill in the blanks. =)"

Difficult with public transport, I have done Segocia and Avila toguether, but with my car. anyway a friend did with train Aranjuez & Toledo with train in a day, that could be interesting. if i had to choose between Segovia & Avila, I could not decide myself, both are interesting. In your case I would check actual trains/buses timetables first...


"When planning, should I plan a night @ these locations or return to Madrid @ night?

19 euros??!!!!

Stay in Madrid! You can do them as day excursions. I do not like organised excursions, but maybe going on your own, they can be worth as in a day they can take you to two places .. so you have more days in Madrid (I know you go on budget, so maybe this excursions are expensive!)

for the day excursions check the timetables of buses www.movelia.es & trains www.renfe.es

Madrid has lots to offer, Some fo the best musseums, monuments, nightlife, culture etc Check SirRichard madrid pages. In my madrid page I did an itinerary of who to do the Madrid monuments, just in case if it is of help to you!

Is It Exactly Safe to Stay a Night @ the Airport? I'm exploring the option of saving the money for that night's stay. =D

Never been at night there, but there is lots of security in the spanish airports,so I would not worry about security, but say that you have an early flight if they ask you lol

You don't find booking in Madrid for 19 euros a night, because is more expensive, at least you pay 30 euros.

Oh.. I've secured the booking already. Though its a dorm bed and not pensions. =)