Travel Note
Please be sure to verify the validity of your U.S. passport. All U.S. citizens travelling to Spain must have a valid U.S. passport. The document must be valid until 3 months after the planned date of departure from Schengen territory, and must have been issued within the 10 years prior to the date of entry. All travellers departing from the U.S. must also have proof of a return flight booked within 90 days of entry to the Schengen territory. Thankfully, all restrictions on travel due to COVID-19 have been lifted for U.S. citizens travelling to Europe!
Flight
Madrid's aiport (Madrid-Barajas or MAD) is located a short 15 minute drive from the city center. We recommend following the exit signs and getting a taxi upon arrival, which always charge a flat fee of 30 euros from the airport to anywhere in the center of the city. Uber and Cabify are also car services that are readily available during your stay in Madrid.
Travel Note
You will find that most people in the city, especially in the service & tourism industries, will speak and understand English without issues. Tipping culture: Note that tips for services including dining, taxis, etc. are not expected in Spain. It is customary after receiving an exceptional service to leave behind some spare change (1-2 euros), but not necessary and always received with great appreciation.
Travel Note
During your stay, there are several options to move around Madrid. Walking: the city is extremely walkable and an enjoyable way to move around and avoid traffic. We recommend downloading and using Google Maps for your trip, which also shows best walking/metro/and bus routes. Metro: You can purchase a 10-trip travel card for 12 euros which is valid for metro/bus systems inside any Metro station. Should you need additional trips, you can simply top-up your existing card again at any kiosk, as the first time they charge you an extra fee for the physical card. Taxi: Madrid taxis are readily available to hail from the street. We also recommend downloading Uber or Cabify apps on your phone to request rides ahead of time.
Travel Note
Money Exchange: The majority of places in Madrid accept major credit card providers, but it´s recommended to also take out some euros in cash (you can find ATM locations throughout the city) to have in case and especially if travelling outside of Madrid to a smaller city or town. Phone Services: You can check with your U.S. carrier regarding extra charges for roaming in Europe. Verizon, for example, offers an international travel pass for $10/day, which you´ll need to activate first (https://www.verizon.com/plans/international/international-travel/travel-pass/). If your carrier does not offer such a plan and you prefer, you can also purchase a pre-paid sim card once in Madrid. These are sold at the airport or in the stores of any European carrier in Madrid (Orange, Vodaphone, Movistar).
Travel Note
Please note, in Spain most common pain killers are not available over-the-counter (such as Ibuprofen) so we recommend packing your own supply of these medicines to avoid any access issues. We hope you won´t need it, but in the case that you require medical attention during your stay in Madrid - we recommend contacting the AngloAmericana Medical Unit (located at Calle del Conde de Aranda, 1, 28001 Madrid). All staff speak English and are extremely helpful to get you on your way! The contact number is (+34) 914 351 823 and the office is open from 9am-8pm Monday through Friday, as well as 10am-1pm on Saturday. In case of emergency, call 1-1-2.
Travel Note
Please find below our curated list of hotels to consider for your stay in Madrid. These hotels have been selected due to location, proximity to the church (which is also the bus drop-off location following the reception). We have included a range a various price points and have arranged them in descending order based on average nightly prices for your convenience. We also have discount codes available for reservations at select hotels, see all information below.
Hotel
Avg. 1,000+ euros/night
Hotel
Avg. 350+ euros/night
Hotel
Avg. 300+ euros/night
Hotel
Avg. 250+ euros/night
Hotel
Avg. 200+ euros/night Use our discount code BODAKEELYALBERTO for 15% off your stay!
Discount Code - BODAKEELYALBERTO
Hotel
Avg. 200+ euros/night
Hotel
Avg. 200+ euros/night
Hotel
Avg. 150+ euros/night
Hotel
Avg. 150+ euros/night Use our discount code BODA15 for 15% off your stay!
Discount Code - BODA15
House Or Rental
There are also many options available on Airbnb.com. Recommended neighborhoods to search are Barrio de Salamanca (Goya/Lista/Retiro), Almagro, Barrio de las Letras, and Chamberí.