Working in Madrid Spain

Airport

Madrid International Airport Barajas (MAD)

Madrid International Airport is the largest airport in Spain and serves as the gateway to Madrid. The airport ranks as the 4^th busiest in Europe and the 11^thbusiest in the world. In addition to being the main connection between the rest of Europe and the Iberian Peninsula MAD also serves as a connection point between Latin America and Europe. The airport is the primary hub for Iberia Airlines and the airline is responsible for about 60%

of the total traffic through MAD. The total number of travellers that pass through MAD each year is about 50 million.

To get into the city from the airport, most travellers will catch either a city bus or the Metro. Busses pass through both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and coat about 1.00 €. The Metro departs from beneath Terminal 2 and Terminal 4 and will get you to heart of Madrid in about 12 minutes.

Other options include taxis, Aerocity (a special type of taxi) as well as chauffer-driven cars – Aresmobile.

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Make sure you catch an airport taxi from the taxi ranks located just outside the terminals. Drivers who try to solicit passengers from within the terminals are probably running illegal taxis.

Railway Station

RENFE is the national rail service of Spain while Cercanias is the local, commuter train network that operates in all major Spanish cities. Additional rail networks include the Alta Velocidad Espanola (AVE) and the Avant. The AVE is the high-speed network that runs from the north to the south. Avant is medium-distance network that also uses high-speed trains that have been customised for the shorter distances. Avant is operated by RENFE. Rail Europe also provides services to and within Spain.

Transportation

In general, the public transport system in Madrid is excellent. The Metro (Underground) system in Madrid runs from 6:00am to 1:30am and provides good coverage for most of the city. There are colour-coded lines and over 210 stations. The usual wait time for a train is about 3-5 minutes. The Metro system links in with the EMT bus network, connecting the city centre with surrounding communities.

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Be aware that Spain is often impacted by public transport strikes. Always make sure to use the available news services to keep up-to-date on any planned or on-going strike action. A good place to start for information on transport issues in Spain and other countries is www.easytravelreport.com.

You can also use taxis to get around Madrid. There are plenty of taxis in the city but they are not always available at peak times – due to high demand. You can catch a taxi at a taxi stand or by hailing one on the street.

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All taxi journeys are metered but do be aware that there can be extra charges for things like luggage, airport transfers and additional passengers.

Cost of Living

In comparison to Australia, the cost of living in Madrid is generally much more favourable. Average prices range anywhere from 15% to 40% lower than those you would pay in a place like Sydney although as far as Spain goes, Madrid is slightly more expensive than Barcelona.

According to the online database, Numbeo (www.numbeo.com) prices for typical items in Madrid are as follows:

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Moneyconverter.com is an excellent resource for converting any local currency to that of your home country. This is a great tool for budgeting and stretching your “hard-earned” cash.

Although finding work in Spain might be difficult, cities like Madrid are very attractive places to visit if you are on a working holiday in another part of Europe.

Accommodation

Madrid offers a range of accommodation options. The particular type of accommodation that you choose is really a matter of personal preference and budget. Once you have decided what kind of accommodation you are seeking, then it is simply a matter of finding something that suits.

You will have to make some decisions about whether you are seeking short or longer-term options. For short-term accommodation, backpacker hostels and the less expensive hotels are always an excellent choice.

Across some different price brackets, options in Madrid include:

Budget

La Posada de Huertas

Los Amigos Hostel

Living Cat’s Hostel

Mid-range

Hotel Ibis Styles Madrid Prado

Best Western Hotel Los Condes

Hotel Ganivet

High-end

Hotel Villa Magna

Gran Melia Fenix

The Westin Palace Madrid

Shopping

Shopping in Madrid can be quite interesting as there is a real mix between local shops and internationally recognised brands – many of which are very high end. The three most popular shopping areas within Madrid are the Salamanca District, Gran Via and Chueca. If you like something that is a bit more flea market-style then you should also check out El Rastro. El Rastro is popular with tourist and locals alike as there is always the opportunity to pick up a great bargain.

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Whenever you are shopping in a crowded area (regardless of the country you are in), you should keep a careful eye on your personal effects and be vigilant about pick pocketing and other petty crime.

Emergency

Emergency telephone numbers

Police, Fire and Ambulance      112 (Standard European Emergency Number)

Civil Guard                                     062

Police                                                091

Health Emergencies                    061

Fire Brigade                                   080

Local Police                                     092

Insurance and Healthcare

If you are working in Spain then you may be able to access the Spanish National Healthcare system. In order to access this system, residents must enrol with the General Social Security Fund. You will need to investigate how this applies to you if you have accepted paid work in Spain.

Even if you are not part of the National Healthcare system, you will still be able to access the hospital system in the event of an emergency but you may have to pay for any services you receive.

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As with any travel experience, before heading off to Spain for holiday or work, you should confirm the specific health-care services that will be available to you and also consider taking out your own, personal travel insurance.