More about: Madrid Airport Transfers
Getting to and from Barajas Airport to anywhere in the city centre (about 15 km away) is easy, but there are several options to choose from, and it's a good idea to know them all.
Madrid Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel
Travel comfortably from the airport to your accommodation in Madrid
Book this private transfer to ensure a worry-free arrival in Madrid. A driver will be waiting to take you and your companions to your hotel in the city centre.
Hire a private transfer from Barajas Airport to your hotel or accommodation in Madrid. Travel comfortably, worry-free, alone or with your group.
This door-to-door service is available 24 hours a day. A driver will be waiting for you in the departures terminal and will take you to your destination in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Recommended if... you want to simplify your life and ensure you arrive quickly and comfortably after your flight.
Madrid Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport
Arrive at the airport on time and without any worries from your accommodation in Madrid.
Travel from your hotel in central Madrid directly to the airport with your companions. A driver will pick you up on time so that travelling is stress-free.
Arrive comfortably and without rushing at Barajas Airport by booking this private transfer from your hotel or accommodation in the city centre. A professional driver will pick you up about two and a half hours before your flight, so you can board without rushing.
You'll travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle and won't have to deal with your luggage.
Recommended if... you want to ensure you arrive at the airport and catch your flight on time, without complications or stress.
The best transfers between Madrid Barajas Airport and the city centre
If you want to simplify your arrival, I recommend the private door-to-door airport pick-up service.
Private transfer from Madrid Airport to the city centre
The word "private" often comes with the adjective "expensive," which is why we often overlook it when it comes to a trip where we want to save money to explore the city we're visiting. However, in the case of Madrid, the price of hiring a private transfer from the airport to the city centre, which picks you up at the airport and takes you to your hotel, is quite reasonable: from 179, if you book in advance. Of course, the final price will depend on the number of people using the service: you can request a shared transfer or a vehicle for yourself and your travel companions.
The transfer works in a simple way: when you make your online booking, you provide the details of your hotel or accommodation in Madrid and your flight details (so the driver will know your arrival terminal). The driver will meet you and your group at the terminal, will know if your flight is delayed and will wait for you for up to 45 minutes after the scheduled arrival time.
Advantages of using a private transfer
- You have enough space for your luggage (if you have special luggage, you must notify us)
- It is accessible for pushchairs
- Greater comfort, door-to-door service
- Reliable drivers who speak English and Spanish
- 24/7 communication with the company
- Free cancellation of the service with one day's notice
- Air-conditioned vehicle (something you will appreciate if travelling in summer)
Private transfer from Madrid city centre to the airport
The transfer service is also available at the same price if you wish to book it on your return to get to the airport from your accommodation. The conditions are the same, and you should bear in mind that the pick-up time is always set three hours before your flight departure to allow for any unforeseen circumstances, check-in time, traffic, etc.
When you make your booking, you will need to provide your hotel details so that the driver can pick you up, and with that, you will be ready to end your trip to Madrid in the most comfortable way possible.
Other options: public transport, taxi or private hire vehicle
Madrid Airport has four terminals: Terminals 1, 2 and 3 on one side and Terminal 4 on the other. The metro and bus serve both terminals, and the suburban train network has a stop at Terminal 4 (other types of transport are available at all terminals).
Metro
Metro line 4 has a stop at Terminal 4 and another stop at Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Keep in mind that in Madrid you need a card to ride the metro (it will also work for intercity buses).
Commuter trains
The commuter train network in Madrid is integrated with the underground. The line that leaves from Terminal 4 at Barajas Airport connects with central stations such as Nuevos Ministerios, Atocha (train station) and Méndez Álvaro (Madrid bus station). The last commuter train leaves at around 11:30 p.m. and the service is slightly faster than the underground; with trains running every 15 minutes, you can be in the city centre in 40 minutes.
Bus
You have two options: intercity buses that pass through the airport (lines 101 and 200) or the bus that takes you directly to the city centre, stopping at the Cibeles fountain and Atocha station (both central locations). If you are unfamiliar with the city, I recommend choosing the latter option.
Taxi or private hire vehicle
Taxis in Madrid that go from the airport to the city centre or vice versa have a fixed cost of €30 per trip (you may be asked to pay a little more if there is a night-time fare, but the official prices must be displayed inside the taxi).
Another fairly common option in Madrid is private hire vehicles. With the Uber or Cabify apps, you can request one upon arrival at the airport, and the price of the journey is usually slightly cheaper than a taxi (the app will show you the price when you enter your destination, and you can decide whether to accept or cancel the trip).
ANA'S TRAVELLER TIP
If the taxi driver asks you for a supplement for your luggage, bear in mind that this is not legal, as prices are regulated regardless of luggage.
Useful tips for your arrival at Madrid Airport
Regardless of which option you choose, the most important thing is to have decided once you get off the plane so you don't waste time on unnecessary travel. Madrid Airport is quite large, so it will take some time to leave the airport; if you have booked a pick-up service, don't worry, as the driver will take this into account. Once you have collected your luggage from the carousel, you will arrive at the exit door from which you can access the street.
If you want to eat or drink anything before starting your return journey, there are many restaurants available both before and after boarding. However, bear in mind that prices at the airport will be much higher. As for the surrounding area, there are no places worth going out to eat.
If you need to travel between terminals, there is no need to use the underground: there is a free minibus that connects the terminals. It runs every 40 minutes and you can ask for the exact location at any of the airport information points. It also runs at night.
As for getting around Madrid during your trip, if you are staying in the centre, the best option is the underground: it is fast, cheap and works quite well. Don't rule out walking from one area to another either: although the city is large, many areas of the centre can be covered on foot and it is always better to get to know a city by walking around it. You don't have to worry about safety either: Madrid is a fairly safe city.
Other details about Madrid Airport
Now you have all the answers to your questions about how to get from Madrid Airport to the city centre, but there may be a few more things you should know about the airport if you are going to be spending some time there before your return flight.
- Wi-Fi is available. This can be useful both during the waiting time on your return journey and if you need to turn on your mobile phone on your outward journey to call a private hire vehicle or to contact the owner of your accommodation to let them know you are on your way.
- There are no smoking areas. Once you pass through security, there are no outdoor areas where you can smoke, so keep that in mind. Electronic cigarettes are also not allowed.
- There are no public address announcements. If your flight is delayed or the boarding gate changes, you will have to check the screens located throughout the airport, as you will not necessarily be notified of boarding or changes in any other way.
- It is open 24 hours a day. This will be useful if your flight leaves early and you want to arrive ahead of time. Although the restaurants do not open until the morning, there are vending machines where you can get a coffee or a snack.
- You have to keep an eye on the time. I do not recommend arriving just in time for your flight; you may miss it. Madrid Airport is very large and, depending on which gate your flight departs from, it can take up to half an hour to get there from the departure gate.