Ryanair: Girona to Madrid

The carrier: Ryanair

About

The big daddy of them all, Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair maintains the most awe-inspiring route map and tends to add new destinations (and cancel unprofitable routes) at blistering, breakneck speed. Founded in 1985, Ryanair was Europe's original low fares airline and is still Europe's largest low fares carrier. At current count, Ryanair operates well over 1000 routes, from Inverness to Brindisi; Tampere to Tenerife.

It's easy to have lots of opinions about Ryanair; we certainly do. It's a big monster of an airline. We've been pleased as punch on Ryanair, psyched to take advantage of insanely cheap fares, and we've also been annoyed beyond belief with the airline, distressed by enormous surcharges on too-heavy luggage and staff who appear to be completely clueless.

With Ryanair more than with the other airlines we describe here, it pays to be informed about potential penalties and pitfalls.

Upside

Massive number of destinations. Really cheap fares.

Downside

Numerous extra charges when booking. Customer care isn't a priority. Food prices on board very steep.

Baggage

* Carry-on: One piece of luggage not to exceed 10 kg.
* Checked: Up to 3 bags with a combined weight of 15 kg. If booked on-line using Ryanair, the first bag is €15 and the second and third bags are €20 each. Over 15 kg, €15 per kg at the airport. Please note that Ryanair increases the price by €5 in July and August. 

* Please visit Ryanair’s website for more information on its baggage policy.

Seating

Since Ryanair is free for all when it comes to landing seats, it can sometimes be worth it to pay the €5 for priority boarding. In advance, book priority boarding status online, if you hold an EU passport.

Check-in and Ticketing

If you check in at the airport, you will also incur a €5 fee. The fee is €10 at the airport.  Note that American passengers can only check in at the airport.  Online check-in is available from 15 days to 4 hours before departure.  The boarding pass can be printed until 40 minutes before departure.  If you lose your pass then you will have to pay a fee to have a new one reissued.  Bag drop closes 40 minutes before departure, so if you check-in online you must make sure to have your bags in on time.

Tip

Book online whenever possible because fees are significantly reduced.  Also familiarize yourself with Ryanair's table of fees.

Departure: Girona, Spain - Costa Brava (GRO)

Girona - Costa Brava Airport is an important airport for tourism, and the airport has enjoyed a growth in traffic recently due to the arrival of various low-cost carriers. Girona – Costa Brava Airport is well connected to the Costa Brava, the Pyrenees, and Barcelona (many people use Girona Airport as an alternative airport for Barcelona, though it is 92 km (57.5 miles) to the north). Passengers are able to transfer to Barcelona by bus, taxi or train. Location: Girona - Costa Brava Airport is located 12km south from the city of Girona, next to the small village of Vilobí d'Onyar, in the north-east of Catalonia, Spain. Transport: - Rail: Although there are no Girona Airport Trains available, travelers are able to take the Girona Airport Bus or a Taxi to the train station and transfer from there. Girona Trains run to Barcelona roughly 30 minutes and ticket prices will vary depending on which company you use and what time of day it is. For more specific information about schedules and fares consult the RENFE train Official Website. If you are headed to Barcelona, you can transfer from the train to the Barcelona Metro. For maps, fares, and schedules look at the official website of the Metro. - Bus: As a result of Ryanair passengers traveling to Barcelona via The Girona Airport, buses have increased in response to the large demand. Ryanair now has a bus line that covers the Airport-Girona and Airport-Barcelona routes. The ticket sales office is located on the ground floor, in the Arrivals Hall. There are four buses at Girona Airport and you can find them all at the stop outside of the Girona Airport Arrivals Hall. There are also bus services that connect the airport with the towns on the Costa Brava / Maresme (Tossa de Mar, Lloret de Mar, Blanes, Malgrat de Mar, Santa Susanna, Pineda de Mar and Calella de la Costa) and Costa Brava / North (Figueres, Roses, Pineda, Calella and Tossa de Mar). - Taxi: If there are no taxis at the airport's taxi rank, you can phone for one at Taxi Girona. All taxis must have a complaints book where travelers can detail any disagreement they may have about the service. Taxis at the airport's official taxi rank are equipped with taximeters for journeys to different parts of the province and Barcelona. The taximeter will show the fare, as well as any applicable supplements. Keep in mind that the number of passengers traveling inside the vehicle does not affect the fare. Most taxis hold a maximum of four people and their baggage (1 suitcase and 1 piece of hand baggage per person). If you have many bags, look for a hatchback taxi that has more room or go to the information desk and ask them to order a larger taxi. Service: Although small, Girona Airport has a few shops and restaurants for its travelers. There are various information centers throughout the airport as well. Other services include ATMs, a post box, and lost luggage offices. more...

Arrival: Madrid, Spain - Barajas (MAD)

Madrid's Barajas Airport, named after the adjacent town, is one of the busiest in Europe, is the busiest in Spain, and is the main international airport serving Madrid. The airport serves as the gateway to the Iberian Peninsula from Europe, and also acts as an important link between Europe and the Americas. Many low-cost airlines fly in and out of Madrid; among these, easyJet and Vueling fly to the most destinations. In 2006, the airport made news when it opened the beautiful new Terminal 4. Location: Madrid-Barajas Airport is located 12 km (7.5 miles) northeast of the city. Transport: - Rail: There is a metro stop at the Madrid Airport, and it connects to central Madrid for €2. This journey is very quick, taking about 15 minutes. Both mainline and metro line trains run through Madrid Airport. The RENFE and AVE lines do not go directly into the airport but are minutes away by Metro. The Metro connects Madrid-Barajas with the city center at the Nuevos Ministerios station in the middle of Madrid’s financial district. The Barajas line (no. 8) provides connections from the underground stations at terminals 2 and 4 into Madrid’s city center. The metro system also provides links to stations which are part of the Spanish railway network. - Bus: Madrid Airport Buses run from every terminal into the center of Madrid. Although the bus system is slightly cheaper, the Metro may be a more enjoyable option. For more specific information on bus service, consult the Madrid Municipal Transport Website. - Taxi: The airport taxi ranks are located in front of the Arrivals areas of all terminals. It is recommended that travelers do not take unsolicited services from any drivers inside the terminal buildings. The taxis in Madrid are metered so make sure that the taxi driver has started up the taximeter at the start of the journey. Ask for a bill in case you have any complaints. Taxi ride from Madrid Airport to the city center will cost approximately €30-35. Service: If you are in restaurant areas in any of the terminals, wireless access is provided by the airport. Financial facilities include two banks (one of which is open 24-hours), several currency exchanges, ATMs, and a post office. In the airport, there are more than 30 restaurants, cafés and bars and over 100 shops, including duty-free. Other facilities include nurseries in terminals 2 and 4, pharmacies in terminals 1, 2 and 4 and First Aid stations in terminals 2 and 4, a playground, and a chapel.