If you are about to fly to Spain and need information on how to get from Barajas Airport to Madrid, this post is for you. Here you will find information about the airport and the different means of transport to get to the tourist center and vice versa.
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General information about Madrid-Barajas Airport
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport has four terminals ranging from 1 to 4. Terminals 1 to 3 are divided A, B, C, D, E and F, being connected to each other in various ways. Terminal 4 is divided into Terminal 4 and Terminal 4S.
The airport is very large, but the terminals are connected to each other by a free shuttle system:
- Automatic underground train (APM): it is a metro type transport. This service operates 24 hours a day and has stations in each terminal, as well as in the commuter train station (another type of transport in Madrid). Frequencies are 3 minutes.
- Buses: There is also a free bus that connects Terminal 4 with the other terminals and operates 24 hours a day. The stops of this are in each terminal identified as transit bus. The frequencies are between 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every 5 minutes and from 10:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. every 20 minutes.
It is also possible to move on foot through a network of corridors and walkways that connect the terminals, which allows passengers to move from one terminal to another walking. Although we must say that the journeys can be long, especially if you leave terminal 4.
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How to get from Madrid Airport to the center by private transport
If you are going to travel in your private car or in a rental car, the best way to get to the center is to take the M-13 highway from the road from Alcobendas to Barajas and Av. Manuel Azaña, then get on M-14 and M-40. Of course, you will have to adjust your route based on your final destination. Keep in mind that cars can be left in the various car parks of the airport, and each of them has transport to the terminals.
Another option, if you don’t want to drive, is to hire a private transfer in advance. In that case, a car or van is reserved for you, based on how many passengers there are, and they perform a door-to-door service. It is highly recommended if you are 4 passengers or more, or arrive during the early morning.
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How to get from Barajas Airport to Madrid by public transport
You can go from Barajas airport to Madrid by public transport in several ways very easily and economically. One option is to take metro line 8 connecting the airport with Nuevos Ministerios station. From there it can be combined with taking other lines to reach the center of Madrid. A single ticket costs €2.5 and is one of the fastest ways to get there. Keep in mind that it works from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Check all the schedules in this link
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Another option is to take the Cercanías C-1 train, which makes the path that takes you from the airport to Atocha Renfe in about 20 minutes. The ticket there costs € 2.60. Keep in mind that Atocha is one of the central train stations, so it has connections to the whole city and other parts of Spain.
If you go with a lot of luggage and prefer to avoid going up and down stairs, a good alternative is to use the Express Airport bus. This bus takes you from the airport to the center of Madrid in about 45 minutes. The ticket costs €5 and the line runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It only stops at the terminals, Atocha and Cibeles, and makes it to and from Madrid airport.
Finally, the most expensive option is to take a taxi from the airport to the center of Madrid, the approximate price is 30 to 35 euros, depending on traffic. We definitely recommend it for large groups or with many suitcases, since there are many alternatives to get there economically.
