Flying home

[bhemphill]

I am starting My Camino June 5, 2025. I will be returning July 15 back to my home in the US. I am working on my trip back home and have a few questions.

Do you really need to arrive at the Madrid airport 3 hours early as suggested?
My flight leaves MAD at noon on July 15 and my flight from Santiago won't arrive until 10:30 am. I'm thinking I need to arrive in Madrid the night before.

Any suggestions on where to stay for the night before my flight in Madrid? I'm getting myself very confused here.

 

[Molly Cassidy]

My flight leaves MAD at noon on July 15 and my flight from Santiago won't arrive until 12:30. I'm thinking I need to arrive in Madrid the night before.

If your flight to Madrid arrives after your flight from Madrid leaves, you definitely need to try something else!

If you book one ticket for the two flights, then the airline will only sell you journeys they think will work, you should be able to check any hold luggage through to your destination and the airline will be responsible for rearrangements should you miss your connection.

In any other circumstances, it would be wise to give yourself plenty of time to transfer at Madrid.

 

[bhemphill]

I just caught that. My flight from Santiago actually arrives in MAD at 10:30. But that only gives me 2 hours and everything I am reading says 3 hours minimum. Thanks for bringing that typo to my attention.

 

[Molly Cassidy]

Is it 2 hours or less than 2 hours? How much do you think it will cost if you miss the flight? Will you miss time at work?

I've never flown transatlantic, so I can't say how long it takes, but 3 hours seems to be normal all over Europe for flights to the US.

It's up to you how much risk you're willing to take. On the other hand, it would be a shame not to actually see Madrid. I would fly the day before and have a night in the city.

 

[Anhalter]

Is it a checked-through flight or do you have to get your luggage, check it in again and get through security once more? If its first, 2h should be good, if not, i would not do it.

 

[Bob Howard]

Out of caution, I always stay in Barajas the night before departing for home.

 

[Juspassinthru]

If you can check your bags, presuming you’re checking bags, through to your final destination, and assuming no delays, that connection shouldn’t be a problem. If you have to leave the airside (secure) area of MAD for any reason, it could be a problem.

 

[bhemphill]

Out of caution, I always stay in Barajas the night before departing for home.

Yes, after reading up on this, I will do that. I found a hotel that will pick me up from the airport and take me back in the morning. And feed me breakfast to boot! So much planning . . .

 

[Bob Howard]

Yes, after reading up on this, I will do that. I found a hotel that will pick me up from the airport and take me back in the morning. And feed me breakfast to boot! So much planning . . .

Not sure what you mean by a hotel that will pick you up from the airport . . . There's a train stop in Barajas just before the airport, from which you can walk to your Barajas hotel, and then their shuttle will deliver you to the airport in the morning.

 

[Bob Howard]

Oops, I was thinking you would train to Madrid inasmuch as you're going to stay overnight. But, of course, the whole point of your original post was about flying into MAD from SDC and making your flight home.

 

[natefaith]

Welcome to the Forum @bhemphill!

If it's helpful...We fly often from Santiago to Madrid then on to the US. If you've booked everything on one ticket, and if you can check bags all the way through to the US, then a layover of 1.5 hours in Madrid should be OK. Especially if you keep yourself moving to get to your next gate, you should have time to spare.

We also usually book seats at the front of the SCQ - MAD plane to make sure we can deplane pretty quickly after arriving in MAD.

There's also the option of booking an earlier flight from SCQ - MAD so you can arrive in MAD before 10:30. I think the earliest flight of the day is at 6:30am, with another one at 7:30am or 8am or so.