Currency
The currency used in Spain is the Euro (€). To check the exchange rate with any foreign currency, you can use this converter: http://www.xe.com/es/. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks or exchange houses at the airport or the city. Exchange houses usually open longer than banks but offer different rates and often charge commissions.
Bank Cards
Debit or credit cards of Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus and Amex are accepted in most places. They can be used in hotels, restaurants and shops. American Express cards are accepted only in some establishments. They can also be used at ATMs which indicate so.
Electricity
In Spain the voltage is 220-250 V. Plugs used have two round rods.
Phone
The international dial code for Spain is + 34.
Climate
September is a hot month to visit Madrid. The average temperature is between 20ºC and 32º C during those dates.
For a forecast of temperatures and precipitation you can consult the AEMET (State Meteorological Agency): www.aemet.es/es/eltiempo/prediccion/municipios/madrid
Languages
The official language is Spanish, but it is usual to speak languages such as English, German or French in spaces related to tourism.
Transporte Local
You can move around Madrid by public transport (urban buses, Metro or Cercanías) or by foot.
More information can be found in the sections Getting there and Venue in this website.
Car Rental
Several car rental companies will be available both at the Airport, the train station, the bus station, and many others spread around the city. Keep in mind that traffic in the city of Madrid is not often not very fluid.
You can find more details about the main roads in Madrid in the following website: https://www.esmadrid.com/coche-madrid (in Spanish).
Parking
You can use parking spaces near the venue of the Conference, in the Campus Cantoblanco.
Usual Timetables
The usual time for breakfast is from 08:00 to 10:00 in the morning. Lunch is often served in restaurants between 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Dinner is served from 9:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. Some establishments offer continuous service throughout the day. It is very common, and more so during the summer, to find people in the street or on the terraces until late at night.
Business Opening Hours
Commercial hours in Madrid usually go from 09:00 h. or 10:00 until 8:00 p.m. or 22:00 h., although there is some flexibility. The most usual business hours are from Monday to Saturday, from 09:30 to 13:30 and from 16:30 to 20:00. Big shopping centers usually have a continuous schedule (10:00 to 21:00 or 22:00 p.m). Banks usually close at 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. and do not open in the afternoon.
Tipping
There is no tradition that requires leaving a tip percentage when paying the bill in bars or restaurants. Tipping is optional and it is the client who decides how much he or she would like to contribute.
Other Details
It can also be useful to know that in Madrid you can drink water directly from the tap.
Hospitals
In terms of health, you must take into account that to travel to Spain there is no mandatory vaccine or recommendations on food. Medicines can be purchased at any local pharmacy, although some will be subject to prior medical prescription.
In terms of medical care, the Spanish National health system has a wide network of Primary Health care centres, as well as an Emergency Services in hospitals and certain primary health centres
If you come from a member state of the European Union, you will have free acess to healthcare services. It is highly advisable to carry a valid European Health Card with you. You can find out about the Card here: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559&langId=en. If you are from a country outside the European Union, you will be entitled to medical care, although you may have to pay the amount of the service or request reimbursement from your health insurance. We highly recommend you consult with a medical or travel insurance provider that can cover your stay in Madrid.
You can consult the list of hospitals of the Madrid Health Service here: www.comunidad.madrid/servicios/salud/hospitales-red-servicio-madrileno-salud
You can consult the list of Primary Care Centres in Madrid here: http://centrossanitarios.sanidadmadrid.org/RedAsistencial/ServiciosUrgencias.aspx
Near the venue of the Conference, you will find the following hospitals:
- Hospital Cantoblanco (Carretera Colmenar Viejo M-607 Km 14,5, Salida 15, 28049)
- Hospital Carlos III (C/ Sinesio Delgado nº 10, 28029)
- Hospital Universitario La Paz (Paseo de la Castellana, nº 261, 28046)
- Hospital Ramón y Cajal (Carretera Colmenar Viejo, Km 9, CP 28034)
- Hospital 12 de Octubre (Avenida de Córdoba s/n, CP 28041)
The Primary Health care centres closest to the Conference venue are:
- Centro de Salud Colmenar Viejo Sur - con Servicio de Emergencias 24h (Calle del Doctor de La Morena, nº 3, 28770)
- Centro de Salud Tres Cantos - con Servicio de Emergencias 24h (Calle Sector Oficios, nº 12, 28760)
- Centro de Salud El Pardo (Calle Carlos Morla Lynch, nº 2, 28048)
- Centro de Salud Fuencarral (Calle Isla de Java, nº 43, 28034)
- Centro de Salud Mirasierra (Calle del Mirador de la Reina, nº 117)
The pharmacies closest to the venue are the following:
- Farmacia Plaza Mayor, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Plaza Mayor UAM, Campus Cantoblanco)
- Farmacia Valdelasfuentes (Alcobendas)
- Farmacia La Vega (Alcobendas, 24 horas)
You can search for pharmacies in the city of Madrid here: https://www.cofm.es/es/farmacias/buscador-de-farmacias/ (in Spanish)
Security
The emergencies number is 112. The National Police number is 091 and the Local Police number is 092.
The Municipal Police Station of Madrid closest to the venue are in the District of Chamartín, Calle Príncipe de Vergara, nº 112, 28002, web page) and in the locality of Tres Cantos (Avenida de los Montes, nº 1, 28760).
The National Police Station closest to the venue is in the District of Chamartín (Avenida Pío XII, nº 48, 28016), or in the District of Fuencarral/El Pardo (Calle Mirador de la Reina, nº 4, 28035). In the following website you can find the address and details of all National Police stations in Madrid.
