With this complete tutorial, you’ll learn how to get to Madrid Airport from the city center.
There are several airport transfers that will get you from Madrid’s city center to your terminal.
The airport is very well connected to the city and other transport hubs (bus and train stations). Moreover, the cost is relatively cheap compared to other European cities. Your decision depends on your final destination.
You can also have a look at a full tutorial with all the Madrid Airport practical information.
And if you need more information to exit from the airport, have a look at how to get from the airport to the city center.
Here’s how to get to Madrid Airport from the city center.
Key Madrid Airport transfer options
There are several options to get to the airport.
- Metro. The subway is the most popular means of transport.
- Advantage: There are two stations, one in Terminal 2 (T2) and another in Terminal 4 (T4).
- Drawback: Switching lines after you get off the Pink Line (Line 8) can be a bit of a headache, especially if you’re hauling a lot of luggage. Not every station has elevators or escalators, so you might end up dealing with a lot of stairs.
- Approximate cost: between 4.50€ and 6€.
- Train. It’s a very good and sometimes faster alternative to the subway, especially when traveling from Atocha or Chamartín (although you could also use other stations such as Recoletos or Nuevos Ministerios). Bear in mind that the airport train station is located in Terminal 4 (T4). Approximate cost: between free and 2.60€ (5.20€ return).
- Bus. Despite it may not always be the fastest approach, there are several bus routes serving the airport, allowing you to choose the one that suits you best. Approximate cost: 1.50€ or 5€.
- Taxi. Definitely the most expensive and the riskiest public transportation option you can choose. Approximate cost: 33€.
- Private transfer. Obviously the most comfortable and fastest option. Approximate cost: depends on the people in your party.
There is no right or wrong option. It only depends on where you are lodged and to what terminal you need to go to.
My advice on how to get to Madrid Airport from the city center
Here’s my advice depending on your accommodation’s location and the airport terminal you need to get to.
- To go from any address in the city center to T1, T2 and T3 use the Metro. (Exception: take a cab or a private transfer if you are carrying lots of luggage.)
- To go from any address in the city center to T4 use the Metro or the Cercanías train. (Exception: take a cab or a private transfer if you are carrying lots of luggage.)
If you want to go from one of the city’s transport hubs to the Madrid Airport, here are my suggestions.
- To go from Atocha to
- T1, T2 and T3 use the Línea Exprés Aeropuerto.
- T4 use the Cercanías train.
- To go from Chamartín to T1, T2, T3 and T4 use the Cercanías train.
- To go from Estación Sur to
- T1, T2 and T3 use the Metro.
- T4 use the Cercanías train.
- To go from Avenida de América to T1, T2, T3 and T4 use the EMT bus route 200.
Allow plenty of time to get to the airport. Despite Madrid public transport is very reliable, a mechanical breakdown or a traffic jam may come up.
Depending on the public transportation you take, you’ll need a different ticket.
If you intend to make an intensive use of public transport, have a look at the Madrid Travel Tourist Pass. This transport pass entitles you to get free unlimited rides.
How to get to Madrid Airport from the city center by Metro
The easiest and cheapest way to get to Madrid Airport from the city center is by Metro.
The airport is connected to the Metro system via Line 8 (Pink Line), which has two main stations:
- Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 Metro station: Situated on the first floor (Level 1) of Terminal 2, it gives you Access to Terminal 1, 2, and 3 (T1, T2, T3).
- Aeropuerto T4 Metro station: Located on Level -1 of Terminal 4, it gives you access to Terminal 4 (T4). From there, you can catch a free automated train connecting with Terminal 4S (T4S).
You can reach Nuevos Ministerios Metro station using:
- Line 6 (Grey Line): Circular line serving various city areas.
- Line 10 (Dark Blue Line): Extends north and south, and you can get it at to Santiago Bernabéu, Alonso Martín, Tribunal, Plaza de España and Chamartín stations.
Trains operate daily from 06:05 to 01:33, departing approximately every 6-8 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes from midnight until the last train.
The ride between Nuevos Ministerios station takes 15 minutes to T2 and 20 minutes to T4.
Tickets & prices
Before using the subway, you’ll need to purchase a ticket. You can do so at the ticket machines located next to the ticket gates.
If you need step-by-step instructions on how to use the Metro to reach and leave Madrid Airport, including details on Metro lines, ticket options, and connections to major train stations, check my full tutorial on Madrid Airport Metro.
How to go from Terminal 2 (T2) Metro station to Terminal 1 (T1)
It’s a less than 10 minutes walking.
Exit the Metro station and take the escalators to go upstairs.
You are now in a big glass-window hall from there you can access T2, T3 and the car park.
Walk straight and use the three moving walkaways.
As soon as you exit the last moving walkaway, a sign indicates to turn right.
Walk along a long corridor. Then, take three consecutive moving walkaways.
Once you exit the last one you are in T1 Departures hall. Walk straight across the different check-in counters and look for your airline.
How to go from Terminal 2 (T2) Metro station to Terminal 2 (T2) Departures hall
It’s a less than 5 minutes walking.
Exit the Metro station and take the escalators to go upstairs. You’re now in a big glass-window hall from there you can access T2, T3 and the car park.
Walk straight and use two moving walkaways.
As soon as you exit the last moving walkaway, a sign indicates to turn left.
You need to go upstairs, to the 2st floor (Level 2). You can use the elevators, but the easiest way is to use the moving walkways.
Once you exit the walkways, you’re in T2 Departures hall. Walk across the different check-in counters and look for your airline.
How to go from Terminal 4 (T4) Metro station to Terminal 4 (T4) Departures hall
It’s a less than 5 minutes walking.
As soon as you exit the Metro station, turn left. You’ll see a sign indicating you to take the moving walkways to go to upstairs, to the Arrivals hall located on Level 0.
Then, take the moving walkways to go upstairs, to Level 1. There are signs at the ceiling indicating the Departures hall. Just follow them.
The last moving walkway leads you to a big hall where all the check-in counters are.
How to get to Madrid Airport from the city center by bus
Getting by bus to Madrid Airport from the city center is both convenient and cheap.
The airport is very well connected by road and you can use 3 public transport bus routes to travel from the city center to Madrid Airport. Each one takes you to a different destination and has a different fare.
Airport Express bus Line 203 (Exprés Aeropuerto)
The Línea Exprés Aeropuerto buses offer a direct trip between Atocha train station, Plaza de Cibeles, Calle O’Donnell and the airport.
The Airport Express bus runs all day, every day (literally 24/7), all year round. But the route changes a bit depending on the time.
- During the day (06:00 – 23:30): It takes you all the way to Atocha, stopping at Calle O’Donnell and Plaza de Cibeles along the way. Buses come every 15-20 minutes, so you won’t have to wait too long.
- At night (23:30 – 06:00): The route is shorter as it only goes as far as Plaza de Cibeles, skipping Calle O’Donnell and Atocha. If Atocha is your final stop, you’ll need to hop on one of the EMT night buses, also called búhos (owls), to get there.
The trip from Atocha to Terminal T4 should take no more than 40 minutes under normal traffic conditions.
The bus tickets costs 5€, payable in cash (maximum change available is 20€) directly to the driver or by bank card/mobile device.
This is a special bus ticket that is not included in the:
- 10-trip ticket (Metrobús 10 Viajes)
- Tourist Travel Card (Título Turístico)
EMT city bus Line 200
There are two EMT bus lines that go to the airport. Remember that EMT buses are blue.
The one you are more likely to use is EMT Bus Line 200. It runs from Avenida de América transport hub to terminals T1, T2 and T4 of Madrid-Barajas airport.
Since Avenida de América is a major transport hub, you can get there using Metro lines 4 (Brown), 6 (Grey), 7 (Orange), and 9 (Purple), as well as several city buses.
The buses run every 10-20 minutes, from 05:00 to 23:30, every day of the week. Travel time from Avenida de América is about 20 minutes to T1, 25 minutes to T2, and 30 minutes to T4, so it’s a pretty quick ride.
This is the cheapest option as the fare is only 1.50€, payable in cash directly to the driver or by bank card/mobile device.
This ticket is included in your Multi Card, if you have previously loaded a 10-Journey Ticket (Metrobús 10 Viajes) or a Tourist Ticket (Título Turístico).
It’s a great, budget-friendly way to get into the city, but keep in mind that it doesn’t run late at night. So if you’re arriving after hours, you’ll need to look into other options.
EMT city bus Line 101
The other line is route 101. You can catch it at Canillejas (Line 5 Light Green), a transport hub that you can reach using the Metro, and several city and intercity bus routes.
The operating hours are Monday to Saturday from 06:00 to 23:45 and Sunday from 07:30 to 23:45 departing from Área Intermodal de Canillejas (Canillejas transport hub). The buses run every 15-20 minutes.
This is also a very cheap option as the fare is only 1.50€, payable in cash directly to the driver or by bank card/mobile device.
This line is ideal if you’re heading to or from the northeastern parts of Madrid and nearby districts. However, you it doesn’t drop you off at from T4, only at T1 and T2.
This ticket is included in your Multi Card, if you have previously loaded a 10-Journey Ticket (Metrobús 10 Viajes) or a Tourist Ticket (Título Turístico).
Airport bus stops where you’re dropped off
Inside the airport, there are bus stops at
- Terminal 1 (T1). Level 1. Departures.
- Terminal 2 (T2). Level 1. Departures.
- Terminal 4 (T4). Level 0. Arrivals.
The stops on T1 and T2 lead you straight to the Departures area. From the stop in T4, you need to enter the terminal through the Arrivals area and take the moving walkways to reach the Departures area.
How to get to Madrid Airport from the city center by Cercanías train
To travel from Madrid’s city center to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport using the Cercanías commuter train service, you need to identify your nearest Cercanías station:
- Atocha: Located in the southern part of the city center.
- Chamartín: Situated in the northern part of the city.
- Nuevos Ministerios: Located in the financial district, offering convenient access.
- Recoletos: x
Once you’re at the station you need to follow these steps:
- Four lines share a stretch of their route, stopping at Atocha, Recoletos, Nuevos Ministerios, and Chamartín, some of them extending then to areas beyond the city center. So you need to catch a train on one on these lines:
- Cercanías C-2 Line (Dark Green Line) running from Guadalajara to Chamartín.
- Cercanías C-7 Line (Red Line) running from Alcalá de Henares to Príncipe Pío.
- Cercanías C-8 Line (Grey Line):
- Cercanías C-8a Line (Grey Line) running from Guadalajara to Santa María de la Alameda-Peguerinos.
- Cercanías C-8b Line (Grey Line) running from Guadalajara to Cercedilla.
- Cercanías C-10 Line (Light Green Line) running from Villalba de Guadarrama to Chamartín.
- Take the Cercanías C-1 Line (Light Blue Line). This train line connects Chamartín with Madrid Airport. The journey from Chamartín to Aeropuerto T4 takes approximately 15 minutes.
At the end of your trip, you’ll reach the only train station at Madrid Airport, which is located in T4, Level -1.
I recommend you to download the Renfe App (for iOS or Android) to access a complete schedule of all trains.
Tickets & prices
Before using the Cercanías train, you’ll need to purchase a ticket. You can do so at the ticket machines located next to the ticket gates.
Have a look at my quick purchase guide of Cercanías tickets for a complete explanation on the different types of tickets and how to buy them.
Don’t forget to keep your train ticket with you at all times during the trip because you’ll need it to go through the exit barriers at your destination.
Insider tip: If you’re going to take a high-speed train from Chamartín or Atocha stations, take advantage of the Combinado Cercanías ticket, which includes a free ticket for you between the airport and the train stations.
How to go from Terminal 4 (T4) train station to Terminals 1, 2 or 3 (T1, T2 or T3) Arrivals hall
If you need to go from T4 train station to any other terminal (T1, T2 or T3), all you have to do is catch a shuttle bus connecting the terminals. This bus is free and operates 24/7.
To go to the shuttle bus stop, all you have to do is exit the train station.
Once you’re out of the train station walk to your right and follow the bus and taxi signs.
Use the moving walkways to get to the Arrivals hall. Exit the terminal through the sliding doors and walk towards the taxis. Go past them.
The shuttle bus stop is at the front of the different bus stops.
If you need more information, check all the internal connections between the airport terminals.
How to get to Madrid Airport from the city center by taxi
Taking a taxi from the city center to Madrid Airport is the quickest and most convenient way to get there, but it’s also the priciest option.
The ride usually takes around 30 minutes, though that can vary depending on traffic and where exactly your accommodation is. If you’re traveling to Terminal 4 (T4), expect the trip to be about 10 minutes longer than from Terminals 1, 2, or 3 (T1, T2, T3) since it’s a bit farther out.
In Madrid, taxis are easily recognizable. Official taxis are white with a red stripe and the coat-of-arms of the city. There are no special taxis to drive you to the airport; any taxi can take you there.
Taxis are available 24/7.
Taxi fares from the city center to Madrid Airport
Please note that there are two very specific fares:
- Trips from any origin located inside Calle 30 (also known as M-30, Madrid’s inner ring road) to the airport have a flat fare of 30€. No extra charge can be added to this fare, even if you have booked a taxi on the phone or through an app.
- If the flat fare does not apply, you’ll be charged 20€ for the first 9 km. After that the meter will keep on going until you reach your destination. In addition to this, you could be changed extra night or bank holiday fees.
All taxis must have a fares chart displayed on the rear windows. No taxi driver is allowed to charge you for your luggage, as long as it fits in the boot or on the roof rack.
In addition to this, have a look at my insider’s guide to use Madrid taxis in the most efficient way.
How to get to Madrid Airport from the city center by private transfer
The best way to get from Madrid Airport to the city center? Hands down, a private transfer.
Here’s how it works: When you book your private transfer, all you have to do is pick a date and time and provide a picking up address like your accommodation’s. Your driver will be there in time. He’ll help you with your luggage and walk you to the car, which is usually a spacious, air-conditioned vehicle that’s way more comfortable than a regular taxi.
From there, it’s smooth sailing. Your driver will take you straight to your departure terminal and even help you carry your bags to the terminal entrance. No dragging suitcases through metro stations, no trying to figure out public transportation after a long flight.
The ride itself? Relaxing. Your driver will be professional, polite, and follow traffic rules – no reckless driving, no smoking. Plus, he’ll offer you a complimentary refreshment, which is a nice touch before a long journey.
Now, let’s clear up one thing: this isn’t some shared shuttle where you stop at a bunch of hotels before getting to yours. This is your own private ride – just for you and whoever you’re traveling with.
And the best part? It’s not outrageously expensive. In fact, for some trips, the cost isn’t much higher than a regular Madrid taxi, and for others, it’s only slightly more. But in terms of comfort, reliability, and overall experience, it’s miles ahead. The value for money is unbeatable.
Here’s why I always recommend booking a private transfer to Madrid Airport:
- Your driver meets you right at your accommodation – no wandering around looking for transportation.
- They help with your luggage, which is a lifesaver if you have multiple bags.
- No hauling suitcases through metro stations or waiting for buses.
- No taxi lines or figuring out how to navigate the city right after landing.
- No worries if your flight departs really early or super late or – your driver will still be there.
- You get a direct, door-to-door ride with no unnecessary stops.
- Many drivers speak multiple languages, so communication is easy.
- The vehicles are spacious and air-conditioned – perfect for a comfortable trip.
- The price is fixed upfront – no surprise charges for traffic delays, extra luggage, or hidden taxi fees.
- Unlike some taxis, there’s zero risk of getting overcharged or scammed.
- And unlike Uber, Cabify, or Bolt, prices don’t spike when demand is high.
Long story short? A private transfer is the easiest, most stress-free way to end your trip in Madrid.
This article is part of a complete tutorial on how to fly to Madrid where you can read all the information you need to organize your flights.
Here is a complete summary of all the guide:
1. How to find very cheap international flights
2. Looking for cheap air flights to Spain?
3. Getting to Madrid by plane
4. Madrid Airport guide: Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez-Madrid Barajas
5. Guide on Madrid Airport transfers
6. How to get from Madrid Airport to the city center
7. How to get to Madrid Airport from the city center
8. Madrid Airport hotels
