Transavia: Madrid to Rotterdam

The carrier: Transavia

About

Transavia is the low-cost wing of the KLM/Air France group. With hubs in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Paris and Eindhoven, it flies to the standard range of European holiday haunts, both cities for culture-oriented weekend breaks and sunny spots for warm getaways.

As such, Transavia is especially strong with its routes to Greece, Morocco, Turkey, and insular Portugal (Madeira) and Spain (Arrecife, Las Palmas and Tenerife). Transavia operates, on balance, a more pleasant onboard experience than that offered by many other low-cost airlines.

Founded in 1965, Transavia began flying in 1966 from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The airline became a subsidiary of KLM in 1991. In 2006, Transavia transformed its look with new cabin crew uniforms, as well as smart new designs, inside and outside the aircraft.

Upside

Nice, broad balance of destinations.

Downside

Functions as a charter airline on many routes. After additional fees are added during the booking process, the final ticket price will often be double the amount originally quoted. Frequent delays.

Baggage

* Carry-on: Up to 5 kg of hand luggage plus one personal item (book, coat)
* Checked: Up to 20 kg of luggage; €10 per additional kg.

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

Seating

You may choose seats at the time of your on-line booking. At the airport, Transavia operates a first-come first-serve policy at check-in.

Checking and Ticketing

Online check in is available for the 24 hours prior to departure if you are flying from certain airports.  It is available for passengers with and without hold baggage.

Tip

Sign up for Transavia's free e-mail newsletterwhich alerts you to fare deals and money-saving offers. Be cautious using this carrier if you are on a tight schedule or have connecting flights.

Departure: 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.

Arrival: Rotterdam, Netherlands - Rotterdam (RTM)

Rotterdam Airport is the third busiest airport in the Netherlands. Location: Rotterdam airport is located 8 km (5 miles) northwest of Rotterdam. Transport: - Bus: The bus station in front of the main terminal building offers RET Airport Shuttle #33 service. The #33 runs frequently between the airport and Rotterdam Central Station; the trip lasts about 20 minutes. - Taxi: The taxi rank is located in front of the Arrivals Hall. Service: There is an information desk in the transit hall as well as Wi-Fi Internet access, public telephones, and ATMs throughout the airport. Other services include currency exchange, dining, and shops. more...