Hotel
Please use the following 15% discount links for ANY of the Vincci hotels in the Madrid area from Thursday September 3rd to Tuesday September 8th. Michael and Carmen will be staying at the Hotel Vincci Soma, which is about a 10 minute walk from Retiro Park. The shuttle will also be departing from this location. Discount links Español: https://www.vinccihoteles.com/?cp=CARMENYMICHAELWEDDING English: https://en.vinccihoteles.com/?cp=CARMENYMICHAELWEDDING
Discount Code - CARMENYMICHAELWEDDING
Shuttle
September 6, 2026 4:00 pm - 1:00 am
Shuttles will take guests to/from the Hotel Vincci Soma to the ceremony. More information on timing to come.
Travel Note
Getting from Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to the city center usually takes around 20–40 minutes, with options including the 24/7 Airport Express Bus (€5), Metro Line 8 (€5), or Cercanías train (C1/C10, ~€2.60) for budget-conscious travelers. Uber does operate in Madrid. Taxis offer a flat rate of €33–€35, while Uber averages around €23.
Travel Note
Make sure your passports are up to date! Most international destinations require a passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of departure. You may also need to apply for The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is a new, mandatory visa-waiver program for citizens from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the US, Canada, Australia, and UK) traveling to 30 European countries. Launching in late 2026, it requires an online, pre-travel authorization for short stays, costing approx. €7-€20, valid for 3 years.
Travel Note
Rental cars are an excellent way to travel if you plan to go outside of Madrid to other Spanish cities or if you plan on roadtripping across Europe. However, if you plan on staying primarily within Madrid proper before flying out to your next destination, we'd recommend skipping getting a rental car. Parking can be difficult and expensive in Madrid, and you can get around the city easily via the metro, taxis, ubers, or walking.
Travel Note
The Madrid Metro is a fast, safe, and efficient way to navigate the city, operating daily from 6:30 AM to 1:30 AM. You must purchase a reloadable Multi Card (€2.50) at stations to load 10-journey tickets or single rides, as paper tickets are not used. Key zones are A (city center/airport), and 10-journey tickets cost around €12.20. A special €3 airport surcharge is required to enter/exit the airport station.
Travel Note
Your friendly neighborhood Uber app will work in Madrid. Lyft does not work in Madrid.
Travel Note
For the best connectivity in Madrid, we recommend either buying a local prepaid SIM card or an eSIM to use your phone for communication and navigation purposes. Most smart phones now allow you to buy and install esims on your phone directly through websites or apps. Make sure to turn off your data roaming to avoid some hefty international phone fees.
Travel Note
Most places in Madrid will allow you to pay with a card but we would recommend having some euros in cash just in case. You can exchange money at your local bank in the U.S. ahead of time or at the airport when you arrive. Another tip is to know ahead of time if the card you intend to use charges international currency exchange fees.