Many major cruise lines like Princess, NCL and Carnival depart from Barcelona, Spain’s port, so Americans usually find flights there and hop aboard their cruise ship to experience the rest of the Mediterranean. For instance, Princess whisks guests away to Athens Greece; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Istanbul, Turkey and Venice, Italy. High sea adventures open up travelers’ eyes to a whole new world of wildlife, soft warm breezes and island fun.

Spring and fall are the best times to find flights to Madrid. May and October, specifically, offer the most pleasant weather and the lowest crowds. October sees temperatures still in the seventies and in May, the average temperature is a comfortable 61°F. Although, wait a few months and you’ll find yourself in the sauna-like 95°F temperatures (35°C) or more in July, and 75°F (24°C) in September. During August, many locals leave the city to visit their cabins in the mountains or to cruise the Mediterranean coast. With heat reaching 104°F, it’s no surprise that 75% of the local shopkeepers pack up and head out for the month. Even so, this calm quiet is something that many Americans look for in their Madrid travel.

After finding the best flights, you’ll have several options for getting around in Spain. It’s not recommended that you rent a bike because there are no designated lanes for bikers and motorists aren’t always attentive. Some people take the integrated bus and subway system, which offers seven-day tourist passes for just under . The Madrid metro rail is considered one of the best in Europe and will take you all around the metropolitan network for a very low fee. Taxis can be rather expensive and require surcharges for airport travel since the airport is 20 minutes from downtown. Some people choose rental cars when in Madrid, although it’s not recommended because the roads are congested. Often you’ll find yourself “parked-in” and unable to get out of your spot, with the blocking motorist absent from the driver’s seat. At which point you’ll need to honk until someone comes back.

Here are some travel tips when booking flights to Madrid. First, understand that all US citizens require a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your stay. If you are staying for three months or less, you do not need a Visa, although tourists must apply for a ‘Carta de Invitacion’ through a local police station. Often times, during heat waves, religious observations or festivals, all the banks and shops shut down, so it’s a good idea to arrive adequately prepared and always have an appropriate amount of money on you. If you’re visiting during the spring time, be aware that there is a time change during the first weekend, which could cause you to be late for your flight home if you’re not careful.

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If you’re a skilled driver and you don’t mind charting foreign territory, then a car rental could be a great way to spice up your trip! You could easily keep busy with all the amenities while staying at a classy downtown hotel in Madrid, although you may want to experience more than the metropolitan area if you have a little more time. On an extended stay, people often like to drive through the beautiful Spanish countryside, visit the beaches in Valencia or go see the UNESCO World Heritage site in Toledo. There is much to see and do in Spain, if you are fearless enough!

To obtain a car rental, you must have a valid passport and driver’s license issued by your home state. You must also have insurance, which is usually negotiated by the travel professionals at the rent-a-car office. On the autopista toll roads, the maximum speed is 75 mph. On the autovia, they can range from 50 to 75, depending on where you are. Carretera local highways are as signed, but do not exceed 60 mph. The main roads are between 40 and 60 mph, generally speaking. The laws benefit motorists more than pedestrians, so exercise extreme caution when crossing an intersection by foot, even if you are at a designated crosswalk. On the highways, passing on the right is illegal unless you are exiting. If there is a solid line in the road, do not pull into the intersection to make a left; instead, look for special lanes that aid your turn. Everyone in your car should wear a seat belt and do not drink and drive. The blood alcohol limits are about half those in other parts of Europe. If you get busted for a traffic offense, you will not be allowed to leave the country until you pay your fine or appear in court. In fact, many fines need to be paid right on the spot!

The M-30 is one of the major stretches of highway around Madrid. Since the ring was built, the city has spread further to the suburbs, which makes driving around this ring a traffic nightmare. There are over 600,000 cars driving on this road every day, the signs are confusing and there is construction everywhere! You may want to take your car rental elsewhere, if you can. The other ring roads like M-40 and M-50 aren’t as terrible to drive on, except for during morning and afternoon rush hours, which will extend your commute by as much as an hour. Popular toll routes include R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5, which lead other towns and cities in Spain into Madrid. This is generally the best way for car rentals to traverse to escape the city congestion.

Once you’ve secured your car rental, you may want to take a short, one-hour drive into Toledo, Spain. At the top of the city’s hill, you will see terra cotta rooftops, historic cathedrals, rolling green hills and a maze of narrow European streets. Toledo itself is one of six UNESCO World Heritage sites within a short driving distance of Madrid. Other nearby wonders include the Escurial Monastery, the town of Segovia (with its Roman aqueduct, 11th-century castle and 16th-century cathedral), the town of Avila (with 11th-century fortresses and Gothic cathedrals), historic Alcalá de Henares (a college town) and the Aranjuez landscape (complete with palaces and Baroque gardens). Travel professionals recommend venturing just outside the city for a glimpse of Spanish history.

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The Madrid Barajas Airport is Spain’s busiest airline hub, which sees over 40 million travelers each year. The airport itself is about 20 minutes northeast of central Madrid, so weary travelers will need to hop aboard the metro or catch a cab to reach their downtown destinations. In 2006, this bustling transportation center nearly doubled its capacity by adding two additional runways and a new terminal. The “MAD” airport offers a number of services that Americans come to expect from a metropolitan airport, including shopping, dining, banking and health amenities. Americans may fly US Airways, American Airlines, Delta, Continental or Iberia to reach the Madrid airport.

US Airways is one airline that flies from the United States to Madrid, Spain. This company sends out over 3,200 flights each day and serves over 200 communities in Europe, North America, the Caribbean and Latin America. Passengers are allowed one carry-on bag weighing up to 40 pounds and one personal item like a laptop bag, purse or briefcase. A checked bag will cost $15 extra and any additional bags are $25. Round-trip airline tickets to and from New York City to Madrid in April will cost around $544, plus taxes and baggage fees and will take about 15 hours one way, stopping in Philadelphia and Washington-Dulles airport. To fly from Los Angeles, you’ll pay $714 for a 14-17 hour flight, stopping only in Philadelphia.

The Continental Airline will take passengers on a Boeing 757 from NYC to Madrid in just over 7 1/2 hours (non-stop) for 2. Fliers from the west coast would pay 2 for a 16 hour flight, stopping at the Newark airport. Baggage fees range from – . Continental has been in service for 75 years and continues to win awards from Global Traveler Magazine, JD Power and Associates studies, Skytrax, Zagat’s and Business Traveler Magazine for “Best Service.” Madrid travel makes the most sense for Northeastern business travel, compared to the competition.

The best time to look at airline itineraries for Madrid is in October or November, when fares are lowest. At www.iberia.com, travelers can save almost 0 by choosing non-peak dates. Generally speaking, travel tips websites advise vacationing anywhere just before or just after Thanksgiving, when few people are in the skies. Since all airlines are charging hefty baggage fees, it’s best to travel as light as possible. Travelers can also save money by booking through discount hotels and flight sites like www.expedia.com, www.travelocity.com or www.orbitz.com.

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