[translations idioma=”ES” url=”https://archives.rgnn.org/2014/09/16/guia-de-madrid-antes-de-llegar/”]
As the capital city of Spain, Madrid is a beautiful and lively city that has a range of different activities and places to see. MADbudget offers some insider’s guides to the lifestyle of Madrid and essential information for anyone planning a visit to the city.

MADRID, SPAIN. Before arriving in Madrid, visitors should follow a few pre-departure tips to ensure a smooth travelling experience.

As the capital of Spain, Madrid is home to many foreign embassies. Before departing, be sure to know where your home country’s consulate is located, as well as a contact number for that embassy, should there be a national emergency while you are abroad. A list of these consulates can be found here.

Students and other visitors looking to travel within the country during their trip should be sure to compare and contrast prices for the best rates available, familiarizing themselves with the Spanish peak and off-peak seasons. Traveling at the right time of the year could save hundreds of Euros.

Spain requires different documents for travelers from different countries. Many visitors, especially students studying abroad for over three months, may also need to set up visas and insurance before arriving.

Before arriving in Madrid, visitors will also want to make sure that all of their technological devices will function. Buying a European adapter will allow you to continue using any appliance or device with a plug. Further, if communication during your trip is necessary, be sure to check with your cell phone subscriber to go over different global plans. Often times, however, travelers can opt to purchase either a Spanish SIM card or a new contract-free cell phone upon arrival to Madrid, instead of paying any international fees with a carrier back home.

More so, if you’re a student, consider having your books shipped to your host location to prevent oversize luggage costs. When you leave, you can simply donate them to one of the many local bookstores.

Before arriving, make sure you have your accommodations confirmed before your arrival. You’ll want to plan out your route from the airport – whether that is by metro, taxi, or bus – in order to ensure an easy transition. If Spanish isn’t your first language, bring along a Spanish pocket-dictionary to help you navigate the city.

Forget something back home? Don’t worry. Anything forgotten can be purchased in Madrid, which ranks within the top 10 most populous in Europe. Finally, once you’ve packed your bags, it’ll be time to say hasta luego to your old city, and hola to the beautiful metropolis that is Madrid.