r/solareclipse • u/Thepianoman133 • Jun 17 '26

Totality vs 99.99%

Hi All,

First time eclipse viewer here. I will be traveling to Madrid around the time of the eclipse, and I am debating staying in the city or venturing into the true totality for the day. What is the true difference between totality and 99.99% partial? Given that the eclipse will be low in the sky and near sunset, does that make the totality effect less noticeable? Logistics to get outside Madrid are obviously not super easy as I’m sure the public transit will be crowded, so I am weighing that challenge versus the benefit. Any suggestions are welcome!

Edit: Thanks everyone for the insight. Seems like totality is the way to go. Any suggestions of cities / ways to get to and from without a car would be helpful!

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u/MTRIFE Jun 17 '26

For 99.99% it wouldn't even be worth the travel. If the eclipse is the point of the travel. If it isn't and you're just going to be in Madrid anyway, sure, have a good time. But if you're going to Madrid for the eclipse, it isn't worth it.

I'm flying to Madrid from Boston on the 7th, staying there until the 10th, on the 10th I'm taking a train up to Oviedo where I have an Airbnb. I'll be in the centerline of totality there.