Weather, flights, the airport, money and getting around — the logistics, sorted before you land.
What to book ahead, how many days to allow, and the mistakes most first-timers make.
Read the guide →Month-by-month notes on weather, crowds and prices — including why locals leave in August.
Read the guide →Average temperatures by season and what to actually pack — Madrid runs hotter and colder than people expect.
Read the guide →Flight routes, high-speed rail links, and how to choose between flying and the train.
Read the guide →Terminals, and how to get from Barajas into the city by Metro, train, taxi or bus.
Read the guide →The Metro system, buses, taxis and ride-hailing — and whether you'll need any of them staying central.
Read the guide →What things actually cost — meals, transport, museum entry — and how tipping really works here.
Read the guide →A realistic day-by-day plan covering the essentials, with room to actually slow down.
Read the guide →The Plaza Mayor market, city-wide lights, and New Year's Eve traditions — what to expect and what's actually open.
Read the guide →More Plan your trip guides go up here every week.
See what's coming →