Airport Bus Madrid
Madrid-Barajas is an international Spanish airport situated 12km from the city centre. It is the country’s main airport as well as the main airport in Europe in terms of direct flights to Latin American cities. The air line Madrid – Barcelona known under the name ‘puente aéreo’ is the leading in the world by the number of flights per week. Since 2006, the airport has 5 terminals and a title of the world’s biggest airport in the surface of its terminals area. In 2015 the airport marked the traffic of 45 million passengers.
How to get from Madrid Airport to Madrid
Airport Shuttle
Line 203 (Exprés Aeropuerto – Airport Express): The express line linking the Atocha train station and the airport. The bus runs 24 hours every day of the year. However, Atocha stop works only between 06:00 and 23:30h. Overnight, the bus stop becomes Cibeles in central Madrid and the bus gets renamed as N27 Exprés Aeropuerto.
- The bus goes every 15 – 20 min during the day and every 35 minutes during nighttime.
- The journey takes 30 – 40 mins.
- One way ticket costs 5€.
Bus
Urban and intercity buses stop at and depart from each terminal at the airport in the arrivals area.
T1:
- Line 200: Connects Avenida de América transport Hub with the airport. The bus runs every 10 – 20 min from 05:00 to 23:30.
- Line 101: Provides a link between Canillejas transport Hub and the airport. On work days (including Saturday) the line runs from 06:00 to 23:25h, on sunday and holidays from 07:30 to 23:25h. Depending on the traffic, you may wait from 15 to 30 minutes for the bus to arrive.
- Line 822: Starts at Madrid’s T1 and goes to Coslada and San Fernando de Henares. It runs every day of the year from 06:00 to 23:30h.
- Line 824: The first stop is at airport at T1 and the destination is Torrejón de Ardoz and Alcalá de Henares. Throughout the year the bus runs from 06:40 to 22:00h.
T2:
- The line 822 does NOT pass here,all other do.
T3:
- The lines 203, 822 and 824 do NOT stop at this terminal, others do.
T4 & T4S:
- Other than the lines 203 and 200 which DO stop here, there are two extra lines.
- Line 827: runs on the following route: Madrid (Canillejas) – Airport T4 – Alcobendas – Autonomous University – Tres Cantors. The bus goes from 06:00 to 23:00h.
- Line 828: connects Madrid (Canillejas), Airport T4, Alcobendas and La Universidad Autonoma. The bus runs from 07:00 to 18:00h.
Long-distance buses to MAD: To and from the Madrid airport there are connections to some a bit further cities.
- The company Avanzabus offers direct round trips between the airport and Ávila and Salamanca. Departures are from T1, bus parking area.
- The company Alsa travels from the airport to: Zaragoza, Barcelona, Valladolid, León, Murcia, Alicante, Gijón, Oviedo, Lugo, Coruña, Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, Vitoria, San Sebastián, Santander, Bilbao, Logroño and Pamplona. Departures are from T4, arrivals area.
- The company Socibus connects the airport with parts of Andalusia: Ayamonte, Córdoba, Cádiz, Jerez, Sevilla, etc. The departures are from the bus parking area at T1.
Metro
There is a metro line 8 connecting the T4 terminal to Nuevos Ministerios (Madrid city). The line has two stations at the airport.
- The line runs from 06:05 to 01:30h.
- The first stop is T1-T2-T3 metro station and the journey from the city takes 13 – 15 min.
- To the second stop there are extra 5 minutes of ride.
- A single ticket costs 4,5€.
NOTE: Between two airport station there is a stop called Barajas. It is in the city, not at the airport, so do not exit there.
Train
The Spanish railway company connects Madrid with the airport by the RENFE train through the local network service Cercanias C1 line.
- It is the cheapest way to get to the city centre since a single ticket costs 2,60€.
- The train station is at T4 (floor -1), it is called Aeropuerto T4.
- The travel time is approximately 40 minutes (from the Principe Pio stop to the airport).
- The first train goes at 06:00 and the last one around 23:00 (depending on whether you go to or from the airport).
NOTE: If you have problems reaching some other terminal, there is a free shuttle bus service connecting them. Check out the schedule.
Taxi service
Taxis are by far the most expensive option to reach the city centre. However, if you choose to take on, make sure you go only with the official ones (white with a red stripe at the door). A flat rate is 30,00 € one way, but the tariff may change due to traffic conditions, time of the day and season. The luggage is included in price no matter the tariff. Try to avoid taking taxis during rush hours on workdays because there is a chance the driver will overcharge you.
Transfer
If you don’t like using the overcrowded public transport and hesitate to take a taxi, consider booking a private transfer which will wait for you on the airport and take you to your hotel or wherever you need to go.
- A professional driver will be in the arrivals area with your name sign.
- If necessary, child safety seats can be ordered in advanced.
Renting a car at Madrid airport
There are six car rental companies at the airport of Madrid. All of them are located in the arrivals area of T1 and T4. You can book online services from the companies like Sixt, Avis or Europcar to avoid being left without an available car or waiting in line.
Renting a bus at Madrid airport
In case you are coming with a large group of people, the best option is to rent a bus online prior to your arrival. After doing so, the bus rental companies will inform you on the meeting point.
Accommodation
FAQ – bus and transport from Madrid airport
No, since Madrid is one of the world’s biggest airports is it well-connected to the city. There are many bus lines, a metro line and a train driving 24/7. If you arrive after midnight, don’t worry. There is a shuttle bus driving all night long, every 30 min.
Yes, Hotel Don Luis is only 2.4km away, the same as Air Rooms Madrid Airport by Premium Traveller and Hotel Barajas Plaza. They offer full service, free Wi-Fi and cosy accommodation.
Yes, the buses leave every few minutes from the airport’s terminals so you even do not have to switch terminals to do so. The airport is only 12 km away from the city so you can be sure you won’t miss out on your flight. You can leave your stuff at luggage storages at the airport. The offices are open 24/7 every day of the year. The price per day is 10,00€ per item. One office is at T1 in front of Baggage claim 2 (garden area), while the other is at T4 in arrivals hall.
Yes, you can exchange money at all terminals and there are even two banks there: BBVA and Caja Madrid at T1 and T4.
Yes, Madrid has great connections to the rest of Europe. You can either travel directly from the airport as mentioned above or from the city centre. Check out the routes like Madrid to Lisbon, Madrid to Malaga or simply choose your own destination at GetByBus.
I have an early morning departure from the airport. I’m living near Asamblea Estacion. How to reach airport?
Dear Tadeusz,
You can take trains C2 or C7 from Estación de Asamblea de Madrid-Entrevías to Nuevos Ministeros station and then transfer to metro line 8 which runs directly to Madrid-Barajas Airport.
Best regards,
Melani, GBB Team
Arriving Madrid at 8.30pm. Would like to catch airport bus into Madrid. Where is the airport bus located at the airport, and where is the terminal in Madrid city. My accommodation is hotel between Plaza de Chueca and Gran Via. thank you
Dear Janette,
The bus departs in front of the airport terminal and it runs to Atocha main train station in Madrid.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
Hello.
I booked the Pelayo 46 hotel and will have 2 luggage with me. What is the best way to get there from Barajas?
Dear Amit,
I suggest going by C1 train from the airport (T4 terminal) and exit at Recoletos train stop.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
Hello dear helper,
I am reaching Madrid (code : MAD), which is I believe the only international airport in Madrid/ with that code name !? right, at 8:40 am/Terminal : 4S from Los Angeles/ LA, and have whole day in front of me, I have a flight though in the late afternoon to Marrakesh/ T1 at 6:50pm from same airport.
so, I have few questions, not sure if you can suggest or help with some ideas.
1- I wanted to store my luggage, 2 bags at the airport, so I can visit easily the city.
2- is there a hotel that is very close to the airport / and what sort of transportation is there, like shuttle bus, bus or train ?/ also are there any hotel close by, like they started in France few yrs ago, that accomodate for few hrs to half a day during travel days, at a reasonable price ?
and what is it out there to see in Madrid City or around the Center?
is finding a bus or train station easy from the sightseeing areas ?
if you can’t help with any of these questions, I understand, at least some info re: forms of transport going from airport to the city and back.
Thanks again in advance, I thought you may be able to help.
p.s : sorry, I had to double check re the airport/MAD, to avoid a small episode, I had before using a 2nd small airport in France before, end up costing me, more than the whole trip.
Sincerely Yours,
best regards,
Khalid
Dear Khalid,
1. One luggage storage office is located at T1 in front of Baggage claim 2 (garden area), while the other is at T4 in Arrivals Hall.
2. There’s a hotel inside the airport called Air Rooms Madrid Airport. Other closest hotels are located in Bajaras, 3 km from the airport.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
Hola,
I need to be at Madrid Barajas Airport on a Tuesday morning at 04:30am. I cannot afford a taxi as I travel alone and I note the metro is not running at this time. What is the cheapest way to get there so early in the morning please?
!Muchas gracias mi amiga!
Dear Bernie,
You can catch express shuttle bus to Barajas Airport from Cibeles Station in central Madrid. Night bus departs every 35 minutes. There are departures at 02:50, 03:25 and 04:00.
Best regards
Melani GBB Team
I am taking the train from Alicante for a trip back to US from Madrid. Can you help me get from the train station to Madrid Airport for American Airline Flight, I have 2 large bags.
Thanks
Dear Lynn,
You can catch shuttle bus to Barajas Airport from Atocha Train Station in Madrid during daytime or from Cibeles Station during night time. Here’s the timetable of departures: https://www.emtmadrid.es/Ficheros/203-S1.aspx
Best regards
Melani GBB Team
I have to travel from the airport (T4) to Cazorla.Can anyone tell me which bus to catch to get there?
Hi Kira,
according to our information, this is how to get from Madrid Airport T4 to Cazorla:
– first, you need to take one of the bus lines to Madrid bus station
– Since it looks like there are no direct buses from Madrid to Cazorla, you can take a bus from Madrid to Granada
– continue by bus from Granada to Cazorla.
You can check out this route here. Once the routes are listed, you can change the date above.
Best regards,
Maja, GBB Team
Hi! My group of four persons have a 4am flight from Madrid airport. How can I get from the city center to the airport if all buses and metro trains start operation only at 6am?
Hi Dennis,
it is possible to reach the airport during the night by combining different metro & bus night lines (the bus lines starting with N).
However, we suggest you consider taking a taxi as the most convenient option.
Best,
GBB Team