Ryan Air dep. Santiago to MAD arr. T1 at 9:20, Delta to US Depart 11:00 (T4), realistic?

Damien Reynolds · Jul 7, 2014

As is my custom, right about now with a little less than 2 months to go before my trip I am going over the details of the reservations I have already made and I am now a little concerned.

I have reserved a flight out of Santiago to MAD on RyanAir that departs around 8 am and arrives at 9:20 to terminal T1. I also have a Delta flight that departs MAD to ATL leaving at 11 am from T4 that same morning.

I am nervous now because that seems to be cutting it close. Anyone have an opinion?

I think my option is to get the night flight out of Santiago that leaves at 10:15 and then get a room in MAD, I did this last year.

All this would require is changing my ryanair flight and securing a new hotel reservation, though I will be sacrificing a night in Santiago as I will have to leave on the day I am scheduled to arrive. (Don't worry, I have been there done that in Santiago before and though I would like to stay longer I have chosen on this trip to extend the time on the camino rather than the time celebrating.)

whariwharangi · Jul 7, 2014

Time appreciation:

Your flight 'arrives' at 0920 ... Even if it does arrive on time it will take at least 30 minutes to deboard and find your way to the shuttle.

The shuttle from T4 to T1 takes 15 minutes. There is no information about frequency. I'd allow a half hour.

That leaves you 40 minutes to get through check-in, customs (because you have to get an exit stamp), security, and most likely security check #2 for a US bound flight ... ... ... In my opinion you haven't a chance of making this connection work. Not even if you save 15 minutes by boarding the shuttle just before it leaves.

Check your ticket ... there likely is some spiel about when the check-in is closed about xx minutes before departure.

Madrid Airport Shuttle
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee...554331229//Connections-between-terminals.html

Damien Reynolds · Jul 7, 2014

Darn it. Yah. I figured. That little miscalculation cost me $50 (US) to fix. Would have been worse though if I were to miss the US flight. Like way worse.

PhillyPeregrinita · Jul 7, 2014

I'm in the same boat I thought it'd be cutting it too close so I opted for the Ryan air night flight giving me a night in Madrid before my flight back to the states in the morning. I didn't know if it was worth going into the city though and was thinking about just making one of those ridiculous YouTube videos of long layovers in airports and what it does to your brain lol buen camino!

whariwharangi · Jul 7, 2014

There are lots of reasonable price hotels in the Sol district. I stayed at a comfortable place (after staying in Albergues this is easy) called 'Chic and Basic' near Atocha station. Take Cercanius from T4 or Metro from T1T2T3. The Metro will take about an hour from Atocha to Airport.

Don't kill yourself by overstaying at the airport. You won't be able to check in to your flight till morning and the departure area outside security is not a comfortable place.

PhillyPeregrinita · Jul 7, 2014

That's a good option. I'm weary of going into the city knowing no Spanish and oversleeping in a comfy hotel. I thought I could just sleep at the gate to make sure I don't miss my flight but I guess that's not an option. Hmm I'll have to think about this one. Thanks!

indyinmaine · Jul 7, 2014

You're not finished yet but it depends on what day you're looking at and I'm assuming that you got a real cheap Ryanair ticket!
As I've posted on other threads, a RT ticket in Spain on Iberia is cheaper than a one-way! Believe it or not. Log on to Iberia. There is 6:45am to Madrid which arrives at 8AM. If that's cheap (I happened to choose Friday, Aug 29 and it was $69. Then pick another date in October/November and look for the cheapest flight. You're not going to use it so - - -. I chose the 9:30PM on November 12 for $66 for a total of $134. Not cheap but not expensive.

indyinmaine · Jul 7, 2014

With the exception of Sunday, ALL the 6:45 flights in the second and third week of September are $50. You're down to $119 and counting and remember your hotel room will cost you something as well!

NicoZ · Jul 7, 2014

The only good thing about Ryanair is they pad the arrival times. The reason they are almost never late is when they say 9.20 that mean 9.10.

My last flight we left the airport 10 minutes late. We got to the destination 10 minutes early. That should give you an idea how much they pad the schedule

Mary Enright · Jul 7, 2014

Damien Reynolds said:
As is my custom, right about now with a little less than 2 months to go before my trip I am going over the details of the reservations I have already made and I am now a little concerned.

I have reserved a flight out of Santiago to MAD on RyanAir that departs around 8 am and arrives at 9:20 to terminal T1. I also have a Delta flight that departs MAD to ATL leaving at 11 am from T4 that same morning.

I took the night train from Santiago to Madrid. Slept all night. Arrived at Atocha around 9 am Took the Metro to Barajas. Took Delta to US leaving at 11. Very easy.

I am nervous now because that seems to be cutting it close. Anyone have an opinion?

I think my option is to get the night flight out of Santiago that leaves at 10:15 and then get a room in MAD, I did this last year.

All this would require is changing my ryanair flight and securing a new hotel reservation, though I will be sacrificing a night in Santiago as I will have to leave on the day I am scheduled to arrive. (Don't worry, I have been there done that in Santiago before and though I would like to stay longer I have chosen on this trip to extend the time on the camino rather than the time celebrating.)

Damien Reynolds said:
As is my custom, right about now with a little less than 2 months to go before my trip I am going over the details of the reservations I have already made and I am now a little concerned.

I have reserved a flight out of Santiago to MAD on RyanAir that departs around 8 am and arrives at 9:20 to terminal T1. I also have a Delta flight that departs MAD to ATL leaving at 11 am from T4 that same morning.

I am nervous now because that seems to be cutting it close. Anyone have an opinion?

I think my option is to get the night flight out of Santiago that leaves at 10:15 and then get a room in MAD, I did this last year.

All this would require is changing my ryanair flight and securing a new hotel reservation, though I will be sacrificing a night in Santiago as I will have to leave on the day I am scheduled to arrive. (Don't worry, I have been there done that in Santiago before and though I would like to stay longer I have chosen on this trip to extend the time on the camino rather than the time celebrating.)

Mary Enright · Jul 7, 2014

Take the night train from Santiago (leaves around 11pm). Pay for a bed. Sleep all night. Arrive rested at Atocha in Madrid around 8 am. Take the Metro from Atocha to Barajas. Very easy.

jpflavin1 · Jul 7, 2014

Damien Reynolds said:
As is my custom, right about now with a little less than 2 months to go before my trip I am going over the details of the reservations I have already made and I am now a little concerned.

I have reserved a flight out of Santiago to MAD on RyanAir that departs around 8 am and arrives at 9:20 to terminal T1. I also have a Delta flight that departs MAD to ATL leaving at 11 am from T4 that same morning.

I am nervous now because that seems to be cutting it close. Anyone have an opinion?

I think my option is to get the night flight out of Santiago that leaves at 10:15 and then get a room in MAD, I did this last year.

All this would require is changing my ryanair flight and securing a new hotel reservation, though I will be sacrificing a night in Santiago as I will have to leave on the day I am scheduled to arrive. (Don't worry, I have been there done that in Santiago before and though I would like to stay longer I have chosen on this trip to extend the time on the camino rather than the time celebrating.)

Damien:

There is an overnight sleeper train from Santiago (22:33) to Madrid Chamartin that arrives in Madrid at 8:02am (50 euro's). You go upstairs and get a Cercanias ticket to the airport Terminal 4. Train runs every 30 minutes (on the 28 and 58 minute) and takes about 15 minutes. I took it this Spring and I was in terminal 1 by 9:15. I had an 11:00am flight to the states.

Ultreya,
Joe