Sleeping Pods - Madrid airport?

Vanozza

Active Member
Dec 15, 2017
130
155
Germantown MD
Time of past OR future Camino
I have walked part of the Camino Frances one and a half times. I ended in Sahagun in April 2019.
My flight to Spain will arrive at MAD Barajas airport at 6:30am. However my accommodations in Madrid will not be available for check-in until 3pm! No early check-ins. I will be a wreck after crossing 6 time zones so I have wondered about renting a sleeping pod at the airport for a few hours before heading into Madrid. However I cannot figure out how to do this. The Internet links all seem to be broken. Does anyone have any experience renting or using sleeping pods at the Madrid airport? Help!
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-

lovelyshell

Active Member
Sep 5, 2016
390
1,113
Southern California
Time of past OR future Camino
October/November 2016
I don’t think there is a sleeping pods hotel at Madrid airport. I recently had to stay by the Madrid airport and the closest budget accommodation was like 15 minutes away. I stayed at Hostel Viky which on the booking.com map looked like it was right next to the airport but it was a 15 minute van ride. There is a hotel in terminal 4 but it is expensive.
 

Vanozza

Active Member
Dec 15, 2017
130
155
Germantown MD
Time of past OR future Camino
I have walked part of the Camino Frances one and a half times. I ended in Sahagun in April 2019.
I don’t think there is a sleeping pods hotel at Madrid airport. I recently had to stay by the Madrid airport and the closest budget accommodation was like 15 minutes away. I stayed at Hostel Viky which on the booking.com map looked like it was right next to the airport but it was a 15 minute van ride. There is a hotel in terminal 4 but it is expensive.
Thank you for responding so quickly. Much appreciated.
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-

SabsP

Veteran Member
Feb 18, 2010
8,632
1
41,518
Belgium
Time of past OR future Camino
some and then more. see my signature.
My flight to Spain will arrive at MAD Barajas airport at 6:30am. However my accommodations in Madrid will not be available for check-in until 3pm! No early check-ins. I will be a wreck after crossing 6 time zones so I have wondered about renting a sleeping pod at the airport for a few hours before heading into Madrid. However I cannot figure out how to do this. The Internet links all seem to be broken. Does anyone have any experience renting or using sleeping pods at the Madrid airport? Help!


There seems to be a premium service , also for arrivals.
No pods but a private lounge and some personal assistance.
They do not display the cost.

 

Robo

Veteran Member
Oct 12, 2013
6,425
24,638
Sydney / Bangkok
robscamino.com
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23
My flight to Spain will arrive at MAD Barajas airport at 6:30am. However my accommodations in Madrid will not be available for check-in until 3pm! No early check-ins. I will be a wreck after crossing 6 time zones so I have wondered about renting a sleeping pod at the airport for a few hours before heading into Madrid. However I cannot figure out how to do this. The Internet links all seem to be broken. Does anyone have any experience renting or using sleeping pods at the Madrid airport? Help!

How much is the cost per night of your Hotel in Madrid?
What is the potential cost of a 'pod' somewhere?
How important is it for you to get some rest?

I was faced with the same issues travelling to my last Camino, during a stopover in Dubai of 23 hours.
(i was doing some business meetings during the stop over)

I paid for an extra night in the Hotel, so that I could check in at 5 am........

Just a thought.......
 

Vanozza

Active Member
Dec 15, 2017
130
155
Germantown MD
Time of past OR future Camino
I have walked part of the Camino Frances one and a half times. I ended in Sahagun in April 2019.
How much is the cost per night of your Hotel in Madrid?
What is the potential cost of a 'pod' somewhere?
How important is it for you to get some rest?

I was faced with the same issues travelling to my last Camino, during a stopover in Dubai of 23 hours.
(i was doing some business meetings during the stop over)

I paid for an extra night in the Hotel, so that I could check in at 5 am........

Just a thought.......
That’s an excellent strategy. I will check now to see if I can book the room for one extra night in advance.
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc

Gringazolana

Active Member
Mar 22, 2022
179
503
USA
Time of past OR future Camino
Francés
Last month I arrived in Madrid at 7:00 and couldn’t check into my place until 15:00. In between, my son and I rode the Metro system to different places and did a lot of walking. Every single street was uphill!! 🤣

PS - Try to sleep on the plane on the way to Spain. I got some “medical help” to do this and so when I arrived, I was silly but not totally exhausted.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kelly Ann

Vacajoe

Traded in my work boots for hiking ones
Feb 14, 2017
2,424
8,918
Northern California
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances, Portuguese, Aragon, Norte, SJWayUK, Nive
Not that I’ve done it or fully recommend it, but the park around the Prada was packed with tourists and their suitcases getting naps in before their hotels would let them in 😂. If you choose this, definitely put a leash on your pack so it doesn’t wander off….
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc

t2andreo

Veteran Member
Apr 6, 2013
6,246
21,170
Northern Virginia
Time of past OR future Camino
2013 - 2018 , Pilgrim Office volunteer 2014 - 2022
My flight to Spain will arrive at MAD Barajas airport at 6:30am. However my accommodations in Madrid will not be available for check-in until 3pm! No early check-ins. I will be a wreck after crossing 6 time zones so I have wondered about renting a sleeping pod at the airport for a few hours before heading into Madrid. However I cannot figure out how to do this. The Internet links all seem to be broken. Does anyone have any experience renting or using sleeping pods at the Madrid airport? Help!
Check if your place of lodging will allow you to deposit your baggage there, while you wander Madrid - a beautiful city by the way - until check in. I always do this, even when just traveling as a tourist.

Hope this helps.

Tom
 
  • Like
Reactions: KarinaH and CWBuff
A guide to speaking Spanish on the Camino - enrich your pilgrim experience.
Dec 6, 2014
35
61
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances 2018
How much is the cost per night of your Hotel in Madrid?
What is the potential cost of a 'pod' somewhere?
How important is it for you to get some rest?

I was faced with the same issues travelling to my last Camino, during a stopover in Dubai of 23 hours.
(i was doing some business meetings during the stop over)

I paid for an extra night in the Hotel, so that I could check in at 5 am........

Just a thought.......
Paying for an extra night in the hotel so we could check in early has been recommended to us when arriving early morning in other countries. Call or email your Madrid hotel to see if this is possible.
 

gloria lowe

Arizona is my home
Apr 30, 2016
472
875
Tempe Arizona US
Time of past OR future Camino
2014, 17, 18, 19, 21
I’ve found when I come from the US and arrive that early most places will take your luggage for you. I’ve then found if I don’t nap and try to go to bed on their time, the next morning I have no jet lag and feel fine. Several times I’ve just bought a ticket for the red hop on hop off bus and enjoyed the ride. Found all the things I want to see the next day. And I have also fallen asleep on the bus.
 
  • Like
Reactions: trecile and Sue127

pjacobi

Active Member
Feb 3, 2015
413
658
Time of past OR future Camino
2015, St. Jean Pied de Port to Burgos
2016, Burgos to Ponferrada
2017, Ponferrada to Atlantic Ocean
To conquer jetlag, you MUST fight it! That means you should absolutely NOT sleep upon arrival from the US to Europe. Get outside in the open air and sunshine to stay awake.

Once your room is ready in the afternoon, try to nap for a couple hours. Set an alarm to wake up for dinner and try to stay awake until normal bedtime.

If you give into your desire to sleep at the wrong time, it will only prolong your jetlag.

It's very helpful to have previous travel experience so you can practice jetlag recovery. The struggle doesn't get any easier, but you learn ways to avoid making it much worse.


-Paul
 
Ideal pocket guides for during & after your Camino. Each weighs only 1.4 oz (40g)!

Most read last week in this forum

We arrived in Santiago and after searching ways to get back to Pamplona it worked out easier to hire a car . It would mean picking the car up from Santiago airport and leaving it at a hotel in...
Hello, I am 16 days out from "boots on the ground" on the Frances route. As I am a solo female pilgrim My family wants to be able to find me any time day or night as I make my way across Spain...
I was trying to buy an Alsa bus ticket on-line to take us from Pamplona to SJPDP. It ask for a "document" and document number? Passport isn't mentioned and it wont let me make a purchase without...
Hi , I'm looking for some advice. I'm flying to Madrid and catching a bus to Burgos to walk to León. I'm using a light weight foldable bag for my rucksack & poles but I would rather leave the...
Madrid Albergue near airport? I will be going on to Irun/San Sebastian. With thanks, fondly sandi
Some news that was posted on Facebook by Johnnie Walker which I'm sure he won't mind my repeating here. Not sure who his informant was. The post was quite long but I'll just repost it here in...

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides