A question about flight connection in Madrid to Sevilla

[jflorez]

Not sure if this was the correct forum to post this to - admin please move if not.

I'll be flying into Madrid in late March, via AirCanada, arriving at 9:30am. I'm looking at options for flights to Sevilla and the only one on the same day as I land in Madrid appears to be the latest/last non-stop of the day, Iberia departing at 11:30am.

So, the obvious question: Do you think two hours is enough time to retrieve my checked backpack, get through customs, and then find and check into Iberia to make the 11:30 flight?

Or should I just go with the alternative travel option and take a fast train out of Atocha, of which there are several options to choose from?

 

[dick bird]

I would personally take the safe option and get the train. It will be an infinitely more pleasant experience and you can look out the window at the view. Two hours between flights should be long enough, but I stress the word 'should'. things have been known to get fouled up with international flights.

 

[Robo]

I have used the train, works well.

Note. Check the ticket conditions.
There is a class of ticket / seat reservation that you can cancel at short notice.
I booked trains at two different times as I was not sure about flight arrivals into Madrid and travel time to station (Atocha)

I made it to the earlier train and just cancelled the second one.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Not sure if this was the correct forum to post this to - admin please move if not.

I'll be flying into Madrid in late March, via AirCanada, arriving at 9:30am. I'm looking at options for flights to Sevilla and the only one on the same day as I land in Madrid appears to be the latest/last non-stop of the day, Iberia departing at 11:30am.

So, the obvious question: Do you think two hours is enough time to retrieve my checked backpack, get through customs, and then find and check into Iberia to make the 11:30 flight?

Or should I just go with the alternative travel option and take a fast train out of Atocha, of which there are several options to choose from?

Another vote for the train. Done Madrid to Seville quite a few times by train. <3hrs. There are some very cheap fares if you book in advance - USD 20-30 with quite generous change conditions too should you have any unexpected hiccups. Seville airport takes a bit of time to get to centre, whereas Seville Santa Justa station is an easy walk to the centre.

IRYO operate this route!

https://iryo.eu/en/products

Download the app and it explains the fare structure and T and C’s very clearly in English.

 

[Skinnybiker]

Take the train, more interesting and you arrive at Santa Justa in the middle of town.

 

[Susan Maria]

I vote for the train. Changing flights in Madrid can be done in an hour, even if you have to retrieve bags - although I didn't have to this month, they went straight to my flight to London - but something may delay your incoming flight.

 

[WalkingLester]

Train

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola - I am another voting for the train. You can have an hour or two snooze; there are cafe bars on the train. Also if you book in advance (I think 60 days is the max early purchase period) you do get a discount. You can book on line, but sometimes the RENFE system does have a few hick-ups (like it will not let you select English as the preferred language), but in general it works OK. From memory there are three or four AVE (the really high speed trains) from Madrid to Seville most days. Cheers

 

[J Willhaus]

Are you booked on Iberia into Madrid? If so, the switch to another Iberia flight will likely be fine. If it is two different companies. All bets are off.

I like the train, but I feel very comfortable navigating the transfer to the Atocha station where the high-speed train to Seville leaves. If you fly into the Madrid T4 terminal, the fastest way to Atocha is on the Commuter train called the Cercanías. It leaves from the lowest level in T4. All trains leaving the T4 terminal will stop at Atocha.

If your flight comes in to one of the other terminals take the Airport Express bus directly to Atocha station. This is the cheapest route at 5 euros per person. A taxi will be more (30 euros or more plus tip), but may be more convenient.

You can buy train tickets to Seville on the Renfe App or from the Trainline App (easier to navigate). There are several trains per day.

Alternatively, you may want to take a rest day in Madrid to manage any jet lag if you are coming from California. Stay near the Atocha station and then take a train the following day.

 

[John Sikora]

One more train vote. That's probably why Iberia only has one flight. Everybody else is on the train.

 

[peregrina2000]

I'll be flying into Madrid in late March, via AirCanada, arriving at 9:30am. I'm looking at options for flights to Sevilla and the only one on the same day as I land in Madrid appears to be the latest/last non-stop of the day, Iberia departing at 11:30am.

Air Canada is not an Iberia partner. That means you will arrive in T1,2, or 3 and have to go through immigration and then take the intra-airport bus to get to T4, where all Iberia flights depart. You will have to check in again at Iberia, go through security, and get to your gate in T4. I would want more than a two hour window for that kind of transfer.

I vote for the train with everyone else.

 

[Bothydave]

Not sure if this was the correct forum to post this to - admin please move if not.

I'll be flying into Madrid in late March, via AirCanada, arriving at 9:30am. I'm looking at options for flights to Sevilla and the only one on the same day as I land in Madrid appears to be the latest/last non-stop of the day, Iberia departing at 11:30am.

So, the obvious question: Do you think two hours is enough time to retrieve my checked backpack, get through customs, and then find and check into Iberia to make the 11:30 flight?

Or should I just go with the alternative travel option and take a fast train out of Atocha, of which there are several options to choose from?

Like everyone else I suggest that you take a look at train times
In 2022 I missed an Iberia flight due to immigration taking 1 1/4 hours to get through. Add a slightly late landing and running to get train/ luggage we still missed the flight and had to take a bus later in the day.
2 hours even in Terminal 4 as I was is simply not enough time.

 

[peregrina2000]

Like everyone else I suggest that you take a look at train times
In 2022 I missed an Iberia flight due to immigration taking 1 1/4 hours to get through.

You reminded me of another point that may be relevant. If your flights are all on one ticket, Iberia will take care of the rescheduling. But @jflorez is unlikely to have an Air Canada and an Iberia flight on the same ticket. If he misses that connection, he will lose the ticket and not be entitled to rebooking (except at his own expense).

 

[jflorez]

I would personally take the safe option and get the train. It will be an infinitely more pleasant experience and you can look out the window at the view. Two hours between flights should be long enough, but I stress the word 'should'. things have been known to get fouled up with international flights.

For some reason, until I checked, I had an [false] impression that it would take 5+ hours on the train. Moreover, I had an experience at the airport in Barcelona in 2021 where I wanted to take the metro to get to the train station to go to Pamplona, and was completely lost trying to figure out the correct lines to get where I wanted to go. I didn't want to duplicate that experience. But, after more research since posting my question, it doesn't seem too complex to get to the Atocha station from the airport in Madrid. I've decided to go with the train instead of stressing about making a flight connection. Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.

 

[jflorez]

I have used the train, works well.

Note. Check the ticket conditions.
There is a class of ticket / seat reservation that you can cancel at short notice.
I booked trains at two different times as I was not sure about flight arrivals into Madrid and travel time to station (Atocha)

I made it to the earlier train and just cancelled the second one.

That's a great suggestion to book two. I hadn't considered doing that. I'll look into it. Thanks!

 

[jflorez]

Another vote for the train. Done Madrid to Seville quite a few times by train. <3hrs. There are some very cheap fares if you book in advance - USD 20-30 with quite generous change conditions too should you have any unexpected hiccups. Seville airport takes a bit of time to get to centre, whereas Seville Santa Justa station is an easy walk to the centre.

IRYO operate this route!

https://iryo.eu/en/products

Download the app and it explains the fare structure and T and C’s very clearly in English.

I saw that both IRYO and RENFE AVE have trains to Seville. Is there any difference worth choosing one over the other? The price difference seems negligible between the two. Thanks for the help. I appreciate it!

 

[jflorez]

I vote for the train. Changing flights in Madrid can be done in an hour, even if you have to retrieve bags - although I didn't have to this month, they went straight to my flight to London - but something may delay your incoming flight.

Unfortunately, I'll have to check my backpack (48L). It's just a wee bit over the carry-on dimensions allowed. But, I'd rather not have to stress after an overnight flight and be rushing about. Thanks for the info!

 

[jflorez]

Are you booked on Iberia into Madrid? If so, the switch to another Iberia flight will likely be fine. If it is two different companies. All bets are off.

I like the train, but I feel very comfortable navigating the transfer to the Atocha station where the high-speed train to Seville leaves. If you fly into the Madrid T4 terminal, the fastest way to Atocha is on the Commuter train called the Cercanías. It leaves from the lowest level in T4. All trains leaving the T4 terminal will stop at Atocha.

If your flight comes in to one of the other terminals take the Airport Express bus directly to Atocha station. This is the cheapest route at 5 euros per person. A taxi will be more (30 euros or more plus tip), but may be more convenient.

You can buy train tickets to Seville on the Renfe App or from the Trainline App (easier to navigate). There are several trains per day.

Alternatively, you may want to take a rest day in Madrid to manage any jet lag if you are coming from California. Stay near the Atocha station and then take a train the following day.

Thanks so much for all the great information! I am not booked on Iberia into Spain. A previous experience with Iberia's overnight flight cancellation soured me on their International bookings. Though I am comfortable booking flights within Spain. My flight details show I'll be arriving to Terminal 1 in Madrid.

You make a good point re: a rest day. But, I don't usually have (haven't had) a problem with jet lag. I sleep pretty well on overnight flights and have adjusted pretty easily.

Thanks for the info on getting out of the airport. Honestly, that is the thing I stressed about most in planning the transfer out of Madrid airport.

 

[jflorez]

One more train vote. That's probably why Iberia only has one flight. Everybody else is on the train.

Iberia has two other flights earlier than the 11:30 flight, but none that I could have made. But you make a good point as to why there are so few.

 

[J Willhaus]

I saw that both IRYO and RENFE AVE have trains to Seville. Is there any difference worth choosing one over the other? The price difference seems negligible between the two. Thanks for the help. I appreciate it!

I have not taken Iryo, but have taken Ouigo, which was a serious downgrade from Renfe. Very crowded, very little room for your backpack. Here's some notes on Iryo that may help.

A guide to Iryo trains in Spain

A guide to Iryo trains, competing with Renfe on key high-speed train routes in Spain including Madrid-Barcelona and Madrid-Seville.

www.seat61.com

 

[jflorez]

Air Canada is not an Iberia partner. That means you will arrive in T1,2, or 3 and have to go through immigration and then take the intra-airport bus to get to T4, where all Iberia flights depart. You will have to check in again at Iberia, go through security, and get to your gate in T4. I would want more than a two hour window for that kind of transfer.

I vote for the train with everyone else.

Yes, you're right. I just checked and I am indeed, arriving T1. I'm convinced by all the great advice to take the train. Thanks for the great info on the airport!

 

[J Willhaus]

Thanks so much for all the great information! I am not booked on Iberia into Spain. A previous experience with Iberia's overnight flight cancellation soured me on their International bookings. Though I am comfortable booking flights within Spain. My flight details show I'll be arriving to Terminal 1 in Madrid.

You make a good point re: a rest day. But, I don't usually have (haven't had) a problem with jet lag. I sleep pretty well on overnight flights and have adjusted pretty easily.

Thanks for the info on getting out of the airport. Honestly, that is the thing I stressed about most in planning the transfer out of Madrid airport.

Airport Express leaves at the common bus stop outside Terminal 1. Same bus stop as all the parking buses, hotel buses, etc.

 

[jflorez]

You reminded me of another point that may be relevant. If your flights are all on one ticket, Iberia will take care of the rescheduling. But @jflorez is unlikely to have an Air Canada and an Iberia flight on the same ticket. If he misses that connection, he will lose the ticket and not be entitled to rebooking (except at his own expense).

Yes, that was the fear and the reason for the question. I originally looked at booking all the way, San Francisco, Ca/US to Seville, on one ticket, but just adding the Madrid-Seville leg severely reduced the number of flights and increased the price more than 2x the cost of just booking that second leg separately. I think it was simply because I was eliminating Iberia as the carrier.

 

[Canche]

Not sure if this was the correct forum to post this to - admin please move if not.

I'll be flying into Madrid in late March, via AirCanada, arriving at 9:30am. I'm looking at options for flights to Sevilla and the only one on the same day as I land in Madrid appears to be the latest/last non-stop of the day, Iberia departing at 11:30am.

So, the obvious question: Do you think two hours is enough time to retrieve my checked backpack, get through customs, and then find and check into Iberia to make the 11:30 flight?

Or should I just go with the alternative travel option and take a fast train out of Atocha, of which there are several options to choose from?

Get the train

 

[jflorez]

Get the train

Ok. I will.

"Brevity is the soul of wit" - Shakespeare