Independent Travel

If you plan to travel outside Spain, be sure to clarify with the consulate or embassy of the country you’ll be visiting whether or not you need to apply for additional travel documents. Furthermore, make sure your visa will allow you to return to Spain.

Travel Registration Form

If you plan on spending the weekend away from Madrid, you’re required to fill out this form. We’ll only access the information in case of emergencies.


International SOS

As a student studying abroad with Syracuse University, you have access to university-wide member services with International SOS (ISOS). The ISOS 24-hour information line is especially valuable when thinking about pre-travel questions, traveling during breaks, or visiting destinations where you have no local contacts and need medical advice.

Keep your ISOS membership card with you at all times!

Before traveling on your own, register your trip itinerary and associated information with ISOS so that you can utilize the benefits of their TravelTracker™ system. This will assist SU staff if you’re traveling in an area undergoing a critical event. ISOS will immediately contact our staff and facilitate evacuation and/or an appropriate response if needed. Visit the ISOS website for more details.

ISOS can provide information regarding:

  • Medications you can take abroad
  • Recommended or mandated immunizations
  • State Department travel warnings
  • Currency, electrical adapter compliance, etc.

Additionally, ISOS will provide phone translation assistance for medical visits. However, while you have access to ISOS clinics and doctors around the world, you’re responsible for the cost of services that are provided.


Airplane

There are many options to get to the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.

City taxi cabs charge a 33€ flat fare from the city center to the airport. The same fare is charged from the airport to the city center.

With your monthly transport pass, you may take the metro (Line 8 from Nuevos Ministerios), the train (from Príncipe Pío, Atocha, or Nuevos Ministerios to Terminal 4), or the bus (Line 200 from Avenida de América).

An express bus runs every 15-20 minutes departing from Atocha Intercambiador and stopping at Plaza de Cibeles, O’Donnell, Terminal 1 (Departures), Terminal 2 (Departures), and Terminal 4.

Departing from Atocha from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. every 15 minutes.
Departing from Cibeles from 11:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. every 35 minutes.

The cost is 5€.

Popular low cost airlines include:

National Center for Transgender Equality offers transgender students tips regarding passports and security checks at airports.


Bus

Spain has many different coach companies depending on the route. You can use this website to figure out which companies run buses to your destination. Then, check out the bus company’s website for information on times and fares.

Main bus station

Estación Sur
Tel: 914-684-200
Metro: Méndez Álvaro

Airport shuttle services

Aerocity
All vehicles are provided with air conditioning and a telephone.
Estimated price: 25€ (depending on number of passengers)
Tel: +34 917 477 570 (Terminal 1 – sala 2)

Mad Shuttle
Estimated price: 25€ (depending on number of passengers)
Tel: +34 911 251 007


Driving Abroad

Syracuse Madrid forbids students from owning, renting, or operating a motor vehicle of any kind during the semester abroad.


Train

Trains in Spain are generally run by Renfe. The Spanish railway is a modern, comfortable, and convenient way to get around the country. While it is more expensive than a standard train, Renfe’s AVE (high-speed rail) runs between Madrid and many other Spanish cities such as Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia and often can get there in under two hours. Renfe has also recently started offering low-cost high speed rail options, such as the AVLO. Other companies, such as Ouigo and Iryo, offer similar services.

Trains headed to Sevilla, Barcelona, Málaga, and Valencia generally depart from Atocha Station, while trains for San Sebastián and Valladolid usually depart from Chamartín Station. For more information, check the Renfe website, or call +34 902 24 02 02 (24 hours) or +34 902 24 34 02 (international info).