Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez airport, the complete guide
Getting to downtown Madrid, changing terminals, finding a pharmacy, a hotel or renting a car. If you’re reading this article, you probably need some advice about Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez airport.
We’ve put together the most important information you need to know about Madrid airport, to help you make the most of your stay in the capital.
History of Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez airport
Madrid has three airports, the main one being the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport in Barajas. Located 13 km north of the capital, it is one of the largest airports in the world and ranks 2ᵉ of the largest in Europe. It has four terminals and four runways.
Managed by the state-owned AENA company and built in 1927, it began receiving passengers in 1931. The first commercial flights to Latin America and the Philippines began in 1940, while the Madrid-New York route was launched in 1960.
Madrid airport terminals
To help you find your way around Madrid airport and find out which terminal to go to, we advise you to look at your flight reservation. If you haven’t already done so, here’s a brief list of airlines by terminal.
- T1: This is the airport’s main terminal, where international flights depart. You’ll find : Air Europa, Delta Airlines, US Airways, Turkish Airlines, Thai Airways, Tunisair, Egyptair, Easyjet and Ryanair.
- T2: This is the terminal for domestic and Schengen flights: Air France, Lufthansa, Alitalia and Swiss Airlines.
- T3: Terminal T3 complements terminal T2, and handles the same airlines.
- T4: This is the main terminal for Iberia Airlines and its partners: Air Nostrum, British Airways, American Airlines, Air Algérie, Air Berlin, Avianca, Emirates and Qatar Airways.
You’ll also find a terminal called T4S, a satellite terminal for international flights operated by airlines using T4.
T4 & T4S are located away from the other terminals, so you’ll need to take a bus or the underground metro to get there.
How can I find out which Madrid airport terminal my flight is in?
To help you find the right terminal, we recommend that you first read the previous paragraph, where you’ll find valuable information on the various airlines and the terminals where they are located.
If that doesn’t help, you’ll need to contact your airline for more information about your flight. Normally, the terminal is indicated in your reservation.
How do I get to terminal T4 from T4S and vice versa?
A metro connects the two terminals, and you’ll find plenty of directions on site to help you reach terminal T4S from T4 and vice versa.
Make sure you allow enough time for your transfer, as the airport is large and travel times can vary depending on your point of departure in terminal T4S. Allow between 45 minutes and 1 hour to transfer from terminal T4 to T4S.
Visit Madrid during a stopover in Madrid
If you have a stopover in Madrid, take the opportunity to discover the cultural and historical wealth of the Spanish capital on a tour with an English-speaking guide. After a transfer by metro, bus or cab, start with a stroll around the Plaza Mayor, visit the Royal Palace and stroll through the narrow streets of the La Latina district. If you prefer museums, we recommend a guided tour of the Prado Museum or the Reina Sofia Museum.
How do I get from Madrid airport to the city center?
Madrid airport is well-connected to the city center, and it’s relatively easy to reach Madrid’s historic downtown area by various means of transport. Discover the different options available to you:
Rent a car to reach your hotel
In our opinion, renting a car during your stay in Madrid is the most practical way to visit the city, especially if you plan to do some sightseeing outside the capital (Toledo, Segovia, etc.).
To rent a car at the airport, we advise you to go to the rental counters located in your arrival terminal. You’ll need to show your driver’s license, a credit card and valid identification.
If you’re traveling during the high season, or wish to take advantage of attractive discounts, we strongly advise you to book online. SIXT is one of the most serious companies around, and will take the time to explain the contract to you properly to avoid any unpleasant surprises, unlike low-cost rental companies who will do anything to inflate the bill.
Take a cab to the city center
The regular fare from the airport to the city center (in both directions) is 35€. You’ll recognize official cabs by their white color and the red stripe on the doors. The fare may vary if you want to go out of town, so ask for confirmation before starting your journey.
There’s another way to get into the city center, not necessarily cheaper, but quicker (no waiting at the airport for your cab). It’s called VTC, and you’ll find UBER and CABIFY. There’s no price limit, so be sure to check the fare before ordering a VTC.
The most practical option: the metro
Madrid Barajas airport is served by metro line 8. It departs from the Nuevos Ministerios metro station (line 6, 10 and Cercania interchange) and serves T1, T2, T3 and T4 stops. Please note: to get to the T4 terminal, you’ll have to go to the line terminus.
You’ll need to buy a special ticket costing 5 euros (available at metro stations) to get to downtown Madrid. The metro is open from 6.00 a.m. to 0.00 a.m.
Line no. 8 to Madrid airport:
The most economical option, the bus
The cheapest way to get to Madrid city center (cheaper than the 3,5€ metro fare) is by bus. Lines 101, 822 and 824 serve T1, T2 and T3, and lines 827 and 828 take you to T4 (ticket price: 1,50€).
If you’d like to take an express shuttle to get to the city center more quickly, then you’ll need to take the express line. This transport service links the city center to Bajaras airport 24 hours a day every day of the year, with reduced timetables on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1ᵉʳ.
Shuttle departure: Atocha station during the day (6:00-11:00 pm) then to Cibeles station at night (11:00 pm – 6:00 am).
Journey time: 30/40 min to T1 and 10 min longer to T4. Departures every 15/20 min during the day and every 35 min at night.
The fare is 5€, and you can pay on board, but they don’t accept tickets larger than 20€. It is possible to pay by credit card.
Express shuttle - Exprés aeropuerto 24h
Useful information about Madrid airport
Madrid airport parking lots
If you want to park at Madrid airport, there are eleven parking zones, two of which are for long-stay parking and two for quick-stop parking. For more information on parking rates, go directly to the airport website.
Luggage lockers at Madrid airport
For 6 euros for the first two hours, then 10 euros per day, you can drop off your suitcase at the left-luggage office. Packing services are also available.
Wifi at Madrid airport
Madrid airport offers high-quality wifi, free for the first 15 minutes, then 7,5€ for an hour and 15€ for 24 hours.