Air travel to Barcelona via Madrid

[BMP57]

Heading for a cruise out of Barcelona in November, the flight is from Chicago to Madrid to Barcelona.  Wondering if anyone has transferred in Madrid for their flight to Barcelona and whether we clear customs in Madrid.

 

Thanks!

[1Gizmo]

It was many years ago, we flew into Madrid and went through custom in Madrid. No customs in Barcelona. We flew Iberia Airlines  at that time.  Arrived in Madrid very early not much was open during the layover. Wife did get us a couple of wines.

[BMP57]

3 minutes ago, 1Gizmo said:

It was many years ago, we flew into Madrid and went through custom in Madrid. No customs in Barcelona. We flew Iberia Airlines  at that time.  Arrived in Madrid very early not much was open during the layover. Wife did get us a couple of wines.

Thanks!  The flight is on Iberia!

[riffatsea]

Usually "clearing customs" in Europe means going through a line that says "nothing to declare".

Maybe you mean immigration where they check your passport???

[BMP57]

51 minutes ago, riffatsea said:

Usually "clearing customs" in Europe means going through a line that says "nothing to declare".

Maybe you mean immigration where they check your passport???

Thanks!  I am referring to clearing customs and immigration.

[riffatsea]

Hi,

You will go through immigration when you land in Madrid.

They will check your passport.

Your luggage will be forwarded onto the plane for Barcelona and you will pick it up there and go through the "nothing to declare line" (which is customs).

[DaisyDebmo]

we embark on the Epic in Barcelona November 3, we booked a direct flight to Madrid from Philadelphia and then Renfe train to Barcelona the next day.

 

[Host Bonjour]

Nothing to declare unless....you did ask about customs so are you bringing things with you that you wish to have with you on your journey that exceed the limits allowed for import into the country? That is what customs is about (it's a tax, or duty, or...I hate to say the word, tariff) similar to what happens when one returns back to their country and/or might shop abroad and must consider whether or not VAT taxes apply or can be refunded and which items are subject to tax upon re-entry into their home country. In other words, no free ride, except for the duty-free allowances of certain number of bottles of spirits or wine, cigarettes, other items. 

 

So it's a two stage process that always begins the first time you enter a country that is not your own. If there is to be a connecting flight between two cities within the same country, that is a domestic flight in that country, no different than if one flew between two cities in one's own country. You'll show identification for security and probably to obtain a new boarding pass, but there is no need to pass through immigration again because the flights are within Spain and you have officially entered Spain after arriving in the first city.

 

On initial arrival into any new country, first one must prove or validate one's citizenship and second, one must either declare and pay customs duties or if not, pass through the nothing to declare line, both with the declaration cards listing any purchases you fill out on the airplane not long before arrival. Likewise if you are bringing items into a country. 

 

The word customs seems to be thought of as the term for entering a country on holiday/vacation when actually it's the same as for anyone who comes to any country for any reason: immigration. Customs is more commonly used in shipping and commerce and I wonder how many people actually end up ever having to pay customs duties when traveling, whereas, everyone immigrates every time they travel. Go figure. 😉