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Sleeping in Madrid Airport?

goldie from aus

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
October 2023
First Camino is fast approaching - 60 odd days to go, nerves kicking in. As a result of International flight change having to juggle plans loosing day for walking. Wondered if anyone had (or if you can) stay overnight at Madrid Airport. Will be getting there late and flying out early. 👣👣👣
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
I tend to check the website sleeping in airports for info

And also useful is about water in airports
 
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The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
For those of us that often sleep at airports (you know who you are)….

And Madrid specific!
 
I "tried" to sleep in Madrid airport it wasn't very successful, nobody said anything or told me to move so it's okay to lie on the floor wherever is suitable but McDonald's was open, I'm not sure if it was open all night, I stayed chatting to people until after 2 in the morning, it made for a shorter wait
 
I "tried" to sleep in Madrid airport it wasn't very successful, nobody said anything or told me to move so it's okay to lie on the floor wherever is suitable but McDonald's was open, I'm not sure if it was open all night, I stayed chatting to people until after 2 in the morning, it made for a shorter wait
Yes I have slept at quite a few airports over the last few years after arriving very late or getting an early flight though I cannot remember doing so at Madrid. Loads of people do it and normally there are catering facilities open all night in the bigger airports. The ability to sleep I guess spends on the individual (some people can sleep anywhere)!

It’s not for everyone and the ‘overnighters’ tend to be a mix of the hardcore, the mad, and the hard up!
 
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I "tried" to sleep in Madrid airport it wasn't very successful, nobody said anything or told me to move so it's okay to lie on the floor wherever is suitable but McDonald's was open, I'm not sure if it was open all night, I stayed chatting to people until after 2 in the morning, it made for a shorter wait
Same here. Uncomfortable but convenient
 
First Camino is fast approaching - 60 odd days to go, nerves kicking in. As a result of International flight change having to juggle plans loosing day for walking. Wondered if anyone had (or if you can) stay overnight at Madrid Airport. Will be getting there late and flying out early. 👣👣👣
I slept there on an overnight layover to Malaga. There are playgrounds with semi cushioned ground in some areas - not too bad...with earplugs.
 
I slept at BCN airport át McDonald’s several times. It was fun. They might check if you have a ticket, but that’s all. However, you cannot sleep at railway stations (if you don’t hide) as they close for some hours. ☺️⭐😉
 
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...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Sleeping in airports is a nightmare for me, but I have done it a few times. My best experience was at the Istanbul airport because the arms on the seats could be lifted up to create a space to lay down, so we napped a different gate where no flights were scheduled. Peace and quiet and a true lay down. I wish all airports had that option, but unfortunately they don't.
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
There is also a hotel inside the airport on the lower level, AirRooms. I’ve used it on a couple of occasions. Not as inexpensive as sleeping on the floor, but you get a decent nights sleep and a shower……..
 
This last post from FRM is more my speed. I don't do floors anymore. But, I have done airport located hotels - inside security - before. Would you happen to have a web address to search the Air Rooms?

Thanks.
 
Here is the website for the hotel (appears they are at 3 different airports): https://hellosky.travel/locations

I’ve used booking.com in the past a was able to get a better price than that listed on their website. It’s outside of security, but if you are leaving before the sun rises the lines aren’t long……

Best,
Frm
 
Holoholo automatically captures your footpaths, places, photos, and journals.
Here is the website for the hotel (appears they are at 3 different airports): https://hellosky.travel/locations

I’ve used booking.com in the past a was able to get a better price than that listed on their website. It’s outside of security, but if you are leaving before the sun rises the lines aren’t long……

Best,
Frm
Just checked for Oct. 2nd 2023 and the price was 280 euros. 3rd was 250. It seems to be more expensive than hotels around the airport. I remember getting a room very close to MAD for around 100 in September 2022.
 
Here is the website for the hotel (appears they are at 3 different airports): https://hellosky.travel/locations

I’ve used booking.com in the past a was able to get a better price than that listed on their website. It’s outside of security, but if you are leaving before the sun rises the lines aren’t long……

Best,
Frm
Thank you very much.
 
First Camino is fast approaching - 60 odd days to go, nerves kicking in. As a result of International flight change having to juggle plans loosing day for walking. Wondered if anyone had (or if you can) stay overnight at Madrid Airport. Will be getting there late and flying out early. 👣👣👣
The local town of Barajas is very close to airport and has a number of cheap hotels - I think Hostal Viky - has been recommended by a few on here - and a rate of <100 USD.
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
First Camino is fast approaching - 60 odd days to go, nerves kicking in. As a result of International flight change having to juggle plans loosing day for walking. Wondered if anyone had (or if you can) stay overnight at Madrid Airport. Will be getting there late and flying out early. 👣👣👣
Depending on how late you arrive, it may be possible to take the metro from the airport to Plaza del Sol and then stay in a nearby backpacker's hostel.
 
I "tried" to sleep in Madrid airport it wasn't very successful, nobody said anything or told me to move so it's okay to lie on the floor wherever is suitable but McDonald's was open, I'm not sure if it was open all night, I stayed chatting to people until after 2 in the morning, it made for a shorter wait
Good to know it’s possible. Flights to Australia are often early departures. On Oct 30 2023 it’s another early dep. 8.15am.

Last two times departing Madrid I’ve stayed at hotel near airport and even though they advertise a shuttle … unfortunately the earliest shuttle was departing hotel just after 6am. So I’ve had to book a taxi anyway.

I gather from checking the airport info that the Madrid airport is open 24hrs. So wondering from anyone else - what time they have caught the cercanias to the airport. Also I assume I would need to hang out in T4 until check in opens (?? 6am. I have found that these guys don’t usually open for check in bags before 6am / before it’s possible to proceed to T4S. …??? (Right or wrong ?) even though international flight passengers are requested to present 3 hrs before flights.

So wondering how you went finding food or coffee. (Take food with you?) to keep you going until morning.

So I am thinking of either this ‘camping at airport ‘ or booking into one of those rooms at airport mentioned earlier in the thread. Has anyone stayed in one of those ? Is it tricky getting from there to check in area ? Ie can you walk it ?

Decisions decisions. 🤪🤪. I don’t like early departures.

Tks Annie.
 
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Good to know it’s possible. Flights to Australia are often early departures. On Oct 30 2023 it’s another early dep. 8.15am.

Last two times departing Madrid I’ve stayed at hotel near airport and even though they advertise a shuttle … unfortunately the earliest shuttle was departing hotel just after 6am. So I’ve had to book a taxi anyway.

I gather from checking the airport info that the Madrid airport is open 24hrs. So wondering from anyone else - what time they have caught the cercanias to the airport. Also I assume I would need to hang out in T4 until check in opens (?? 6am. I have found that these guys don’t usually open for check in bags before 6am / before it’s possible to proceed to T4S. …??? (Right or wrong ?) even though international flight passengers are requested to present 3 hrs before flights.

So wondering how you went finding food or coffee. (Take food with you?) to keep you going until morning.

So I am thinking of either this ‘camping at airport ‘ or booking into one of those rooms at airport mentioned earlier in the thread. Has anyone stayed in one of those ? Is it tricky getting from there to check in area ? Ie can you walk it ?

Decisions decisions. 🤪🤪. I don’t like early departures.

Tks Annie.
The Air Rooms in MAD tend to come in at £150 a night. Barajas, one metro stop down and 4 euro, is a good place to stay. Quite quaint and some nice bars. I spend an afternoon there when waiting for an afternoon or evening flight. Folks recommend Hotel Viky. Currently about £60 a night. Cheaper options are an available including dorms (Hostelfly) from £22. I think the first metro gets you to airport about 0630 so your call whether that is too late or not!!

Otherwise

 
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