Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (code MAD) is Spain's largest and one of Europe's main airports, with direct flights from many European and intercontinental cities, especially in Latin America. It lies north-east of the city, about 12 kilometres from the Puerta del Sol, and is among the easiest European capital airports to reach. It is part of the Madrid guide.
Terminals
The airport has four terminals:
- T1, T2 and T3, connected and walkable, used mostly by low-cost airlines and European flights.
- T4 and its satellite T4S, the great terminal designed by Richard Rogers with its undulating bamboo roof, the base of Iberia and the oneworld alliance airlines.
T1-T2-T3 and T4 are about three kilometres apart: a free shuttle bus links them every few minutes, day and night, and metro line 8 stops at both. Always check the terminal on your boarding pass.
Ways to reach the centre
| Transport | From | Arrives | Time | Approximate price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro line 8 | T1-T2-T3, T4 | Nuevos Ministerios, then other lines | 15-20 min to Nuevos Ministerios, about 40 min to Sol | metro ticket plus 3-euro supplement |
| Cercanías trains C1 and C10 | T4 | Chamartín, Nuevos Ministerios, Atocha, Príncipe Pío | about 25 min to Atocha | about 2.60 euros |
| Exprés Aeropuerto bus | All terminals | O'Donnell, Cibeles, Atocha (only Cibeles at night) | 30-40 min | 5 euros |
| Taxi | All terminals | Any address | 20-40 min | flat fare to the centre |
By metro
Line 8 (pink) runs from Aeropuerto T4 and Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 stations to Nuevos Ministerios in a quarter of an hour, where you change to lines 6 and 10 or Cercanías trains. To reach Sol or the old centre you need one or two changes. The ticket is a normal metro fare plus a 3-euro airport supplement, not charged on monthly passes or the tourist ticket. You can use the rechargeable Multi card or, increasingly, a contactless bank card. The metro runs from about 6am to 1.30am. It is the best option if you are staying near a line 6, 8 or 10 station.
By train
From T4 Cercanías trains on lines C1 and C10 reach Atocha in about 25 minutes via Chamartín and Nuevos Ministerios, and the C1 continues to Príncipe Pío. It is ideal if you are catching a high-speed train at Atocha or Chamartín: holders of an AVE or long-distance ticket travel free with the Combinado Cercanías shown on the ticket. If you arrive at T1-T2-T3, take the free shuttle to T4 first.
By bus
The Exprés Aeropuerto, the yellow line 203 bus, runs 24 hours a day, every day, every 15-20 minutes by day and 35 minutes at night. It stops at terminals T1, T2 and T4 and in town at O'Donnell, Cibeles and Atocha (at night it terminates at Cibeles). The fare is 5 euros, paid on board by card. It is the most convenient option if you are staying near the Paseo del Prado or arrive at night. Line 200 links the terminals with the Avenida de América area.
By taxi
Madrid's official taxis are white with a diagonal red stripe. For journeys between the airport and the city centre, inside the M-30 ring road, a flat fare applies, which in recent years has been 33 euros, valid at any time and including luggage. For destinations outside the M-30 the meter is used. Taxi ranks are outside every terminal. Uber, Cabify and Bolt are also available, as are private transfers booked in advance.
Tips
- Arriving at night, the Exprés Aeropuerto and taxis are the only options after 1.30am.
- For groups of three or four, the flat-fare taxi costs almost the same as public transport.
- On the way back, remember T4 is far from the other terminals: allow time for the shuttle.
- The zone A tourist transport ticket includes the airport metro supplement.
For getting around the city see getting around Madrid and for other airports getting to and around Spain.