Is it Possible?

If your flight arrives on time and you get a taxi to the station you might have time - we arrived at Barajas (pre T4) a couple of years ago at 12:10 and managed to catch a train from Chamartin at 14:00 - we had carry-on luggage though.

The train you mention also calls in at Madrid Atocha 15 minutes later, however, given that Chamartin is a lot closer to Barajas than Atocha you have more chance of catching it at Chamartin.

Personally, I would go for the 19:05 train (later from Atocha) and enjoy a nice Spanish lunch to start off my holiday rather than fret about whether I'll be able catch the earler train.

It is possible to make it but equally possible you'll get caught out (especially if arriving at T4). Better do as #1 says and enjoy a relaxing meal. It will help you learn the ethos of enjoying life without rushing.

Dave

Thank you both for your advice, much appreciated. Looks like we will take the later train and enjoy a slow meal, we will have some luggage, can anyone recommend a place close to Chamartins we can be dropped off at and still be able to manage with our luggage?

Don't worry about being imbued with the ethos of slow living....my wife is from Mozabique, and we spend a lot of our time there....life is never a hurry, and dancing and drinking are a priority.

If you take the later train (wise decision, you NEVER know really when a plane will arrive!), better take it from Atocha, both the station and the suroundings are much nicer! I thing there are luggage facilties at Atocha, maybe others may confirm.

Near Atocha you have the "Museum mile" (even you'll not have time), the Retiro park and the Botanic gardens. You can walk along Museo del Prado to Cibeles and Puerta de Alcala and return trough Parque del Retiro, and get a glimpse of Madrid

If budget is not an issue, one of my fav restaurants in Madrid is Samarkanda inside the "tropical garden" on the old buiding of Atocha station (about 30-40 euros per person, but they have a "menu del dia" deal for around 18-20 euros). If budget is an issue, El Brillante is the most famous place of Madrid to have a "bocata de calamares y una caña" (fried battered squid rings on a baguette and a glass of beer), 5 minutes walking from the station and near Reina Sofia Museum

enjoy!

I agree with Isa. If you are taking the later train you've got plenty of time to get to Atocha and the city round there is much nicer than the modern and somewhat antiseptic Chamartin area.

Belsa and Steve,

Thank you very much for your suggestions. I have Googled and it seems there is a 'Left Luggage' facility at Atocha which operates between 0630-2130h.

We will be interested in comparing Spanish and Portuguese cuisines...the Portuguese do not say kind things about the Spanish!

Take the later train. you would rather arrive early than late. You can always kill some time

LOL #6... and the Spanish do not say kind things about the Portuguese! Neighbours, you know ;)