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Across 9 cities · curated by one editor

MAD · Airport & transit · 2026

Getting into Madrid

Four terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4), with T4 split into T4 + T4S (satellite). Iberia and oneworld carriers use T4; Ryanair and most low-cost are T1; legacy Star Alliance and SkyTeam non-Iberia split across T2/T3. A free shuttle (~10 min) runs T4 ↔ T1/T2/T3.

Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD)Live arrivals →

Your options, ranked

First option = the editor’s default sane choice for the average traveller.

  1. 1Metro Line 8 (Pink) to Nuevos Ministerios

    Cost
    €5 (€3 fare + €2 airport supplement).
    Door-to-centre
    20 minutes to Nuevos Ministerios; ~30 to Sol.
    Best for
    Light luggage, hotels along Line 6/8/10.

    Connects T1/T2/T3 (one station) and T4 (different station). Trains run every 5-7 min. The supplement isn't covered by tourist passes.

  2. 2Cercanías C-1 commuter train

    Cost
    €2.60 single (or €5.15 1-day combined ticket).
    Door-to-centre
    25 minutes to Atocha / Chamartín.
    Best for
    Long-distance train connections at Atocha or Chamartín.

    Only stops at T4. From T1/T2/T3 take the free shuttle first.

  3. 3Express Bus (línea exprés) to Atocha / O'Donnell

    Cost
    €5 single.
    Door-to-centre
    40-55 minutes depending on traffic.
    Best for
    24-hour service — the only public option overnight.

    Stops at all four terminals. Pay cash or contactless to the driver. Yellow buses with 'EXPRES' signage.

  4. 4Taxi (white with red diagonal)

    Cost
    Flat fare €33 to anywhere within the M-30 ring road.
    Door-to-centre
    20-30 minutes off-peak.
    Best for
    Late arrivals; bag-heavy travellers; group of 2-4.

    The flat fare is fixed by city ordinance — they cannot legally charge more. Outside the M-30 the meter applies.

Gotchas — what most people get wrong

  • T4 is its own building 2 km from T1/T2/T3. Connecting between them requires the free shuttle bus — allow 30 minutes minimum.

  • T4S (satellite) connects to T4 by underground people-mover. Don't go through passport control at T4 if you're departing from T4S.

  • The Madrid metro 'tourist pass' (T1) doesn't include the airport supplement. You still pay €2 extra each way.

  • Atocha is split into long-distance + cercanías halves. AVE high-speed trains use the dedicated long-distance terminal; cercanías commuter trains a different concourse.

Last reviewed . Prices drift — check the airport site for live fares before travel day.

See also: visa & entry · currency & payments · weather & climate.