Time between connecting flights at Madrid

Hi Alie,

Thank you for your kind comments.

If your flight is on time then you will be able to make the connecting flight as you do not leave the international departures section of Madrid and will be transferred straight through. I presume you will check your luggage right through from Boston and therefore will not clear customs until you have collected your baggage in Barcelona.

Having said all the above, it is usual to leave a minimum of three hours between connecting flights so if you can get switched to a later fight to Barcelona I would do it as it will reduce the stress levels enormously! Also you are travelling during the high season and obviously this is when most delays occur.

Hope you have a good trip


Linda

Dear Gary,

Thank you for putting together such a helpful website - it's been fun
to read!

My husband and I are traveling from Boston to Barcelona via
connection in Madrid on Tuesday, July 24th. I assume we will go
through Spanish customs in Madrid. We are flying on Iberia. We
arrive in Madrid at 7:20am and our flight for Barcelona leaves at
8:40 am. Both flights are listed in terminal 4. Is this enough time
to make the connection? Should I contact the airline now if not. We
booked our tickets through American Airlines using our frequent flyer
miles so American didn't give us a choice of flight times.

Thank you in advance for all of your help!

Best Wishes,
Alie Blitz

Customs checks at Gibraltar border

Hi Gary,

The customs officers on the border back into Spain are really only interested in alcohol and cigarette allowances and will ask you how much you are taking out. I have crossed the border a number of times and never been questioned about items of jewellery, cameras or electrical goods so your gold necklace should be no problem.

Linda

Hi There,

I am going to visit gibraltar on a day trip whilst on holiday in spain. and i am looking for a gold necklace, and i have a concern about bringing it back into spain. can you give me any advice on the restriction at the spanish border.

I look forward to hearing from you

Many thanks Gary

Lost property at Alicante Airport

No I haven't - I will see if Monarch Airlines can help.

I know it is only a cuddly toy but I feel so bad about losing it.

You have been a great help.

Thank you kindly

Back to the drawing board ...have you told the airline you flew with about this and asked them to get their handling agents to speak to lost property for you?

Linda


Having no joy as they do not understand my query and they keep giving me the lost property office who do not speak any English.

Thank you very mush for taking the time to reply - I will try these options tonight - fingers crossed

Hi Alison,

What a sad end to the holiday.

As you know it the high season here at the moment so the airport staff are likely to be a bit preoccupied. There aren't any email addresses at Alicante, but I've come up with the following:

1. Tourist Office (based at the airport who will speak English) +34 966 919 367

2. Med Aeroservice (who are handling agents for Excel, First Choice and Thomas Cook) +34 966 919 108 Fax: +34 965 682 400

3. Aena helpline number +34 902 404 704 (this is an international service provided by the Spanish Airport Authority)

These are all the contact numbers I can find. You will probably have to let them ring for a while before you get a reply. Hope you manage to track the toy down.

Linda

Hello,

I was wondering if you could help me please.

I travelled to Glasgow on Tuesday and my daughter left her beloved cuddly toy on the bus that leaves the terminal to the airport. I have tried to contact the lost property at Alicante and they do not speak Spanish. I was advised I think to contact information. Do you know if there is an email address as I would be able to send a photo of the missing bear My little girl is heartbroken and I am feeling lousy. If so can you advise is it's there the best way to get it back home to her. The longer I wait the less chance I have of getting it back. I am desperate. Can you please help?

Thank you

Alison Murray

Kilmarnock

Travelling from Murcia to Alicante

Hi again Adrianna,

The company we work with most are the Transfer Store, and if you follow this link it will take you to a form which you can fill in for a quotation http://search.transferstore.com/searchtransfers.aspx?action=airport&iata=ALC&r=AF&cob=2&utm_source=AffiliateFuture&utm_campaign

If you want more information on private transfers at Alicante then visit http://www.spanish-airport-guide.com/alicante-airport-transfers.html

Regards

Linda

Is there a car hire service that you may recommend who can drive us to Alicante from the Murcia airport. You are right by the time you pay taxi and train X2 it will add up.

Thanks,

Adrianna

Hi Adrianna,

You are right that the bus services are not good from Murcia to Alicante. A taxi will cost you around €80. You can get information on the train timetable at www.renfe.es and you will see that the ticket prices vary depending on which rain you catch between €6 and €15 single fare. Because the bus service is sketchy you really need to get a taxi from the airport to the station, but it is over 40km away and this will cost you around €45 for two.

As you can see, by the time you have paid for the taxi into Murcia and the two train fares (especially at the higher rate) there is not that much difference between public transport costs and a direct taxi.

Hope this helps and wish it was better news,

Linda

Hello,

I am flying into Murcia Alicante Airport and I've notice that transportaion isn't very good. I would like to know if there is reasonable shuttle that will transport 2 people to Alicante, I was told it was about 1 hour 1/2 away and if there is no reasonable shuttle service. How far is the train station from Murcia and does the train take you to Alicante? Also do you know the cost of train service for this.

Thank,

Adrianna

Customs checks

Hi Noelle,

With the number of tourists who hire cars in Spain and leave without paying fines I think it highly unlikely that there will be any warrant out for you. The check they make against the coded strip to your passport is that you are not a wanted dangerous criminal or have a record of terrorism.

There is a new European initiative called advance passenger information where your airline has to provide the Spanish authorities with details of your passport number, date of birth, etc, before you board the plane and on arrival here they won't even bother to check the coded information and just quickly look a the photo to verify that it is you and the passport is not out of date.

So you should be OK

Linda

Hi gary
I will be flying into madrid from london and I am curious about the
customs process. The reason is that I received a speeding ticket via
mail last time I was in spain (i am from the U.S.) and I haven't paid
it because i couldn't figure out how to. So I am a bit concerned
that upon arrival from london , that there may be a warrant or
something... do u know how that works?

thank you
noelle

Indian restaurants in Murcia

Have searched all the listings I can think of and cannot find any Indian restaurants listed in Murcia. I am sure you will find some there if you ask at a hotel or bar.

Sorry can't be of more help

Linda

Sir

Do you have any Indian restaurants in Murcia.

If so please give us addresses and Phone numbers.

Thank you

Regards

S.Phul

Getting from Barcelona to Girona

Hi Breena,

Barcelona Sants in the main RENFE station and trains leave there regularly for Girona with a journey time varying between 1-1 hour 30 minutes depending on which type of train you catch. For details of timetables, costs, etc follow this link http://horarios.renfe.es/hir/ingles.html# You can then get a bus or taxi to your hotel.

The other alternative is to travel by bus and if you look at our information on Girona Airport it will link you to the bus timetables http://www.spanish-airport-guide.com/girona-airport-buses.html

Hope this is of some help - it's a pretty straightforward connection between the two cities


Linda

Hi Gary,

A friend and I will be visiting Barcelona in September. We will be staying at a hotel near El Prat airport (Marriott Renaissance) with free shuttle service between El Prat and the hotel. The problem is, I just found out that my friend booked our flight into Girona airport. What is the most efficient/least expensive way to travel from Girona to El Prat? Train Station Estacion Sants is the train station nearest our hotel.

Thank you for your help,

Breena

Lost suitcase at Girona

Hi Peggy,

Unfortunately at this time of the year the Spanish Airports are notoriously bad at answering their telephones. The only thing I can think of is that you contact the international helpline of the Spanish Airport Authority (Aena) on +34 902 404 704.

Hope you manage to sort something out

Linda

Hi.

We are trying to claim for a lost suitcase from a holiday - and the airport are not helping at all or replying to messages.

I recently sent the message below...

FAO Lost Property Department.

We are trying to claim for a lost suitcase at your airport. Our insurers require a confirmation of an email regards the loss report. Date of loss 28-04-07.

We arrived at Gerona airport Saturday 28th April 07. We got our two black suitcases and went outside to the taxi cue. The taxi driver told us to get into the taxi and he would put the cases in the trunk. We did as he said and it transpires that he only put one case into the taxi. We know this to be true as we did not stop on the journey to the hotel and upon arrival there was only one of our cases in the vehicle. We immediately telephoned the airport (which the taxi driver actually told us to do) We were told to ring back on Monday 30th April - which I then did. I spoke to the lost property supervisor on duty and was told there was no black suitcase handed in at lost property.

Your urgent response would greatly be appreciated to help us resolve this matter as our insurers will not process our claim until we have the infomation required.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can do.

Many Thanks

Peggy Bennett.

Travelling from Girona to Sitges

Hi Kerry,

Think you are being a bit optimistic that you can land at Girona. clear customs, collect your luggage and get the bus to Barcelona in 30 minutes. And that's if your fight is on time! So you might well be on a later bus.

Presume your train timetables came from www.renfe.es so they are OK.

There will be connecting bus services from the bus terminal to the station in Barcelona as the city has excellent public transport links, but it's about an 11 minute journey. If you are tight for time with your connections it might be worth getting a taxi.

You seem to have all the information on the bus lines so I leave that up to you.

Hope you have a good trip

Linda

Thank you!

does this sound about right?

land at girona at 16.30 get the barcelana bus from girona to barcelona
(17.00)

arrive barcelona placa sant joan 18.10

train leaves barcelona sants at 18.52 get to sitges 19.39

return

leave sitges at 06.41 arrive barcelona sants at 7.37

bus from barcelona to girona airport at 8.30 arrives 9.40



how do we get from placa sant joan to barcelona sants and vice
versa???

do we take verdageur metro, blue line direction cornelia centre, to
sants train station on way and blue line 5 direction horta on way
back???


thank you so much for your help!!!

Kerry

Distance between Barcelona and Javea

Hi,

It's about 475km and a five hour drive - but the good news is that the roads are pretty good all the way.

Linda

Hi. I would like to know how long it takes to drive from Barcelona to Javea Spain. TP

Hand luggage restrictions

Hi again Ian,

This link http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm take you to the latest list of banned items for hand luggage. A hand mirror or glass is not mentioned which I find surprising as it could be used as a harming weapon, but they seem more worried about toxic and flammable substances. So it sounds as through your wife can take her mirror through.

Linda

Hi Linda,

Sorry to trouble you again. My wife has a vanity mirror which is about 15cms in diameter. Is it possible to take it in our hand luggage please, as, for obvious reasons, it will be a lot less likely to get broken.

Regards,

Ian R.J. Drake.

Hi Ian,

Food is no longer listed as a banned substance, but I know of someone in the last few days who had some chocolate and water confiscated at check in so it's up to you whether or not you risk it. Still it all helps to boost the income at the normally very expensive airport cafes!

Have a good trip

Linda

Hi Gary,

With all the changes in Security checks lately, can you clarify whether we can take our own sandwiches through security now or are they a 'banned substance'? We travel on Thursday 28th so an early reply will be much appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Ian R.J. Drake.

Cheap parking at Almeria Airport

Hi Carole,

Sorry but don't know about this one. Must be a new private company who have found some off airport parking. If you do find you find out would appreciate you letting us know who they are so that we can put them on the Almeria Airport Guide.

Apologies for not being able to assist this time.

Linda

Hi Gary

I have heard a rumour that private parking is available for about 50 euros for 2 weeks.

Someone apparently takes your car away and hopefully brings it back on your return to Almeria

I saw a mention in an Editor's page on one of the freebie papers for Mojacar area but cannot remember which one.

You are bound to know !

12 seater vehicle hire from Barcelona

Hi again Walker,

Sorry about that. The best thing is to telephone them on one of the following numbers:

England 0141 005 0007
Ireland 01 499 9600
USA 201 581 9019
Europe + 353 (0) 1 499 9600

Which will only take a couple of minutes and they can then ring you back and let you know if they can arrange to have a 12 seater available over your dates.

Hope you manage to sort something out.

Hi Gary,

Thanks for your reply.

Before I emailed you I searched Cartrawler linked through your site and
although there is an option for a 12 seated minibus nothing appeared to
be available.

If possible can you give me a contact email address for Cartrawler.


Thanks for any assistance,



Walker

Hi Walker,

We use a company called Cartrawler a lot for car hire, and they supply mini vans and 12 seater vehicles. If you follow this link they should be able to supply you with a competitive quote http://www.spanish-airport-guide.com/car-hire-spain.html

Hope you have a good trip

Linda

Hi Gary,

Sorry if I've used the wrong method of contact as I am looking for some advice.

We are a group of 12 people with learning disabilities (special olympic athletes however none are wheel chair users) who are visiting spain on holiday 19th October for a week. We fly from Edinburgh to Barcelona (Del Prat) with Iberia airlines. We have booked a large villa aproximately 1 hour from Barcelona and require transport for that week. I regularly drive in Europe however we require a self drive vehicle that would suit our needs. The big question is - can you point us in the right direction. We would apprieciate any support.

With regards,

Walker Laing

Lost property at Malaga Airport

Hi Balvinder,

Unfortunately there is no lost and found section at Malaga but if you ring the Spanish Airport Authority (Aena) info number they might be able to help you +34 902 404 704. However if you lost the papers on the flight I would try Menzies who are Easyjet's handing agents at Malaga - telephone +34 902 048 285

Hope you manage to track them down

Linda

Dear Sir,

I have lost some papers on the Easy Jet plane flight 3119 on 17th of June
2007. Would kindly please give the contact address and email address of the
'Lost and Found property department' at
Malaga Airport, Spain.

Kind regards.

Balvinder

Luggage storage at Palma Airport

Hi Andrew,

Afraid Spanish Airports are notoriously lacking in luggage storage facilities and there is nothing at Palma. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but hope you have a good trip.

Linda

Hi gary

Do you know if there are luggage storage facilities at Palma/ Palma airport, we are due to travel tomorrow but can't seem to find a definitive answer.

Thanks


Andrew

Distance between Roquetas de Mar and Marbella

Hi Sarah

It`s about 260km and should take between 3 - 3 1/2 hours as it's motorway all the way.

Linda

Hi Gary

Can you tell me how long it would take to drive from roquetas de mar mto Marbella (roughly?!)

Thanks

Sarh

Lost property

Hi Adriaan,

You don't say which airport you lost them at, but as the Spanish airports tend not to have a lost and found number the best people to ring are the Spanish Airport Authority (Aena) infoline on 902 404 704

Hope you manage to track the down

Linda

Dear Gary,

In Sunday June 24 2007 around 21.30 hours I lost my dark brown sunglasses, brand Vogue in the waiting launches behind the tax free shops. The lenses are multi focal. It is a rather expensive pair of glasses (€ 380,--). How can I check whether they have been found?

Thanks for your help

Adriaan Ribbeling

Taxi from Almeria Airport to Roquetas

Thank you very much, Linda.

Kind regards

Hi Stix,

There are no problems getting taxis into Roquetas from Almeria Airport (although in July you might have to queue for a bit). The rank is outside the arrivals hall and the cost should be in the region of €40-45.

Linda

Hello, we are 2 people arriving at Almeria Airport in July is there a
regular taxi service to Roquetas De Mar, please.

Thank you
Stix

Lost property at Girona

Sorry, but can't help with this one as the only people that can are based at Girona Airport.

You need to contact the Spanish Airport Authority on +34 902 404 704 (this is their international help line number) as they need to instruct their staff to try and locate the case.

Hope you find it.

Linda

I was at girona airport on sunday the 24thjune 07 flight to east midlands
approximatley 1030am
on going through the hand luggage department the trays collied and tipped up
and a number of items got muddled up and a makeup case containing costume
jewellery was placed on the side not knowing at the time it actually
belonged to one of the twenty traveling in our party my friend is extreamley
upset as the jewellery was of sentimental value look forward in the safe
return of the case. disription of case small mint green and cream with a
zip contained dimante love heart chain and earings black with mother of pearl lines down it and earings to match

i can pay any postage costs incurred regards

Flight connections in Madrid T4/T4S

Dear Linda,

Thanks very much for your quick reply. It looks like the JKF-Madrid flight on Iberia is often delayed…oh well, we’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed!

Best,

Adam

Hi Adam,

Thanks for the kind comments.

If you are on time then you have plenty of time to transfer. The good news is that Iberia is handling both flights so they have to arrange onward travel for you if you do miss the Madrid-Athens connection.

T4 and T4S terminals at Madrid Barajas are connected by a high speed train which runs every 2 minutes. (T4S is a just a satellite from the main terminal) so the transfer is very speedy. You don't go through customs until you have collected your baggage (I know you don't plan on taking any), and as passengers from the States can check any hold luggage straight through from JFK to Athens you should not have to clear immigration until you arrive in Athens.

When you land in Madrid take the route for connecting flights and this should bypass immigration.

Hope this helps and have a good trip,

Linda

Hi Gary,

Great website!

My wife and I are arriving in Madrid from JFK, and then changing plans for a flight to Athens. We only have 1.5 hours to change plans (and I've noticed that the flight from JFK is often delayed). We arrive at T4-S and the flight to Athens leaves from T4 (both flights are on Iberia). We are planning on not checking any baggage – only taking carry-ons. Do you know if we will have to pass through immigration at the Madrid airport after we get off the airplane from JFK? Do you think this will take a while? Just concerned about making the connection. I think the flight from JFK is supposed to arrive at 10:10 am, and the flight for Athens leaves at 11:35.

Any advice you can provide would be helpful!

Thanks!
Adam

Lost property at Palma Airport

Hi Sheila,

Unfortunately there is no lost property number listed at Palma. The best number to ring is the Spanish Airport Authority (Aena) Information line +34 902 404 704 and they should be able to point you in the right direction. Hopefully some honest soul has found it and handed it over.

Linda

Hello Gary,
I am trying to find the details for lost property at Mallorca airport as I have just left my mobile phone there. It has all my numbers on it and so would be really grateful for some help.

Thanks
Sheila

Travelling from Jerez to Faro

Hi Naomi,

You can get a train from Jerez to Seville (which will be quicker than the bus). They run very regularly and you can get timetable details on www.renfe.es And then a bus runs from Seville to Faro twice daily. Details at http://www.damas-sa.es/cgi-local/busca.pl

Unfortunately I don't know of any hotels in Seville which i can recommend, but you can get some guidance from Area Hotels at http://www.sevilla-hoteles.com/

Thanks for your kind wishes and hope the above is helpful

Linda

Hey Gary,
Found your website through Google. It was useful to read some of your
answers to peoples questions. My parents have a house in Olvera near to
Jerez, Cadiz. I am flying into that airport for a stay in August and then
travelling somehow to Portugal, Praia da Luz to my boyfriends brother then
travelling back to Edinburgh from Faro airport after a coupleof weeks there.
Do you think the best course of travel would be from Seville to Faro airport
by bus and get piked up from there to my destintation? Also do you know if
this is the best option, any good, cheap accomodation in Seville. I know
this may be a little off your general questions but any help would be
useful.
All the best with the website,
Naomi

Getting from Barcelona to Salou

Check if you are flying into Barcelona Airport or Reus. If it is Reus there is a bus directly from the airport http://www.spanish-airport-guide.com/reus-airport-buses.html If it's Barcelona then you can get a train direct to Salou - details at http://horarios.renfe.es/hir/index.jsp?page=hjhir110.jsp&O=?&D=?&AF=2007&MF=MM&DF=DD&SF=NaN&ID=i

Hope this helps

Linda

Dear Gary,

I know people have asked you this question before and I've read your answers attetively, but still I have questions and I would be very thankful to you if you answer them. So, I'm flying from Helsinki with Blue1 to Barcelona (not Reus Barcelona I quess) and them I take either a bus to Tarragona or a train to Barcelona Sants and then a train to Tarragona. I'm in a train going to Tarragona and then what? Where is Salou? Than you in advance!!!

Best regards,--Ekaterina Barybina

Getting from Barcelona to Salou

Check if you are flying into Barcelona Airport or Reus. If it is Reus there is a bus directly from the airport http://www.spanish-airport-guide.com/reus-airport-buses.html If it's Barcelona then you can get a train direct to Salou - details at http://horarios.renfe.es/hir/index.jsp?page=hjhir110.jsp&O=?&D=?&AF=2007&MF=MM&DF=DD&SF=NaN&ID=i

Hope this helps

Linda

Dear Gary,

I know people have asked you this question before and I've read your answers attetively, but still I have questions and I would be very thankful to you if you answer them. So, I'm flying from Helsinki with Blue1 to Barcelona (not Reus Barcelona I quess) and them I take either a bus to Tarragona or a train to Barcelona Sants and then a train to Tarragona. I'm in a train going to Tarragona and then what? Where is Salou? Than you in advance!!!

Best regards,--Ekaterina Barybina

Trains from Reus to Valencia

Hi Josh,

The best way is by train. You need to get to the station in Reus (number 50 bus from the airport) and then on a train to Empalme where you can catch a connection to Valencia. Timetables are on www.metrovalencia.com

Hope you have a good time
Linda


Hi there,
I was wondering the best way to travel from the Barcelona (Reus) Airport to Valencia for La Tomatina in August.

Thanks,
- Josh

Hand luggage restrictions

geez your very efficiant. that was a quick reply.
Thanks for our help
chris

Hi Christine,

This link will give you the current guidelines on hand luggage. It's a European wide directive so the same applies at Palma.Don't bring too much because it's very hot over here at the moment to be carrying anything too heavy!

Have a good trip.
Linda



Hi
Just a bit unsure about hand luggage. Are we still able to have hand luggage or plastic bag?
Obviously I will be filling my suitcase to the weight limit as of course one never knows what they may need!!!!
Seems that from Bournemouth Airport we are allowed hand luggage.Just not sure on return journey from Palma
Thanks for your reply
Christine

Getting from Vitoria to San Sebastian

Hi Kathryn,

There are no bus services from Vitoria to San Sebastian but you can get a train from the centre of town. This link will give you details It looks like a pretty regular service and the trip is about 120km. The bus service into town is abysmal but you can get a couple of taxis from the airport to the station.

A taxi will not take 6 of you for the whole journey (and would cost about €125), so your only other option is to hire a car, and you can get a competitive quote here
Have a good wedding!

Linda

Hi Gary,
I am flying into Vitoria Airport on Friday arriving at 13.40
There are 6 of us in our group and we are travelling to a wedding in San Sebastian.
We are flying back on Monday morning at 09.55

Is there public transport options that suit times from Vitoria and returning from San Sebastian.
While we are all drivers none of us have driven on the right hand side of the road before (from rainy Ireland)

I would appreciate it if you could advise me of the best options

Regards,
Kathryn Shanahan