Adolfo Suárez Madrid – Barajas Airport - MAD

Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport lies 13km north-east of the city centre, and is Europe's largest airport (together with Paris-Charles de Gaulle). It's a busy airport with four terminals (1-4), plus a satellite terminal (4S) over 2km away.

• Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are connected in one building and have continuous gate numbers (A1 to E89)
• Terminals 4 and 4S are in huge, separate buildings and have separately numbered gates (H, J, K in Terminal 4 and M, R, S, U in Terminal 4S)

Distances can be long, so leave plenty of time to get your flight, and note that seating is limited.

Handy colour coding

To make it easier to navigate the airport, direction signs, within the airport and on the approach road to Terminals 1, 2 and 3, are colour-coded:

• Terminal 1: orange
• Terminal 2: green
• Terminal 3: red

Madrid airport lies 12km north-east of the city centre. There are plenty of travel options, but the RENFE train is the best option for Terminal 4, as it's cheap, direct and comfortable: in fact cheaper and faster than the metro. For Terminals 1/2 it may be easier to take the metro, as there's a station serving these terminals. Watch out for pickpockets in stations and trains!

Train

The Spanish railway company, RENFE, takes you into the city on the Cercanías Line (C1) from Terminal 4, Floor 1.

Trains leave every 30 minutes or so and run from 05:58 to 22:27. The journey takes 11 mins to Chamartín Station (north of the city), 18 mins to Nuevos Ministerios (city centre), 25 mins to Atocha (south of the city, for AVE high-speed trains), 29 mins to Méndez Álvaro and around 40 mins to last stop, Príncipe Pío.

Cost: EUR 2.60 one-way, EUR 5.20 return 
Location: 'Aeropuerto T4' station, Terminal 4, Floor -1 (free shuttle buses run to other terminals, and the metro goes to Terminals 1/2 – but you'll have to buy another ticket)

Metro

Line 8 (pink) metro takes you to Nuevos Ministerios in the heart of the financial district in 15 minutes. You can then change to line 10 or 6 if you need to. Trains leave every five to 15 minutes from 06:05-01:30.

Cost: EUR 6 (including EUR 3 airport supplement)
Location: Stations at Terminal 2 (Level 0) and Terminal 4 (Level -1) 
Tip: It may be worth buying the Madrid Tourist Travel Pass at EUR 8.40 for a day in Zone A (including the airport). Or, if you think you'll use public transport during your stay, you can save by buying a 10-journey 'Metrobus' ticket for EUR 18.30 at 'estanco' kiosks or stations, which covers buses too. 

Taxi

There is now a fixed rate to the city centre (inside the Calle 30 ring road), so don't pay more than that. Walk past anyone offering you a taxi in the terminal building and head to the official ranks outside. Official taxis are white with a red stripe and the coat-of-arms of Madrid City Council on the doors. 

Cost: EUR 30 fixed rate for distances under 10km (a minimum of EUR 20 for any journey)
Location: Taxi ranks can be found in the arrivals and departures area of all terminals

Bus

The bright yellow Exprés Aeropuerto (Airport Express shuttle bus) is a good option if you arrive late at night and the Metro isn't running. It runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and journey time is 40 minutes to Terminal 4 (less to other terminals). Buses leave every 15 minutes during the day (06:00-23:30) and every 35 minutes at night, stopping at three points:

• Calle O’Donnell (connect with Metro Line 6 and city bus services)
• Plaza Cibeles (Metro Line 2, city buses and night buses)
• Atocha mainline station (Metro Line 1, city buses, and suburban, long distance and high-speed trains)

Note that it only stops at Plaza Cibeles at night.

Cost: EUR 4.50 one-way plus the ticket supplement which costs EUR 1.50 for trips up to 5 stations, EUR 0.10 for 6-9 stations and EUR 2.00 for 10 stations or more.
Buying tickets: In cash on the bus (only EUR 20 notes or smaller)
Location: Outside Arrivals at Terminals 1, 2 and 4

Ridesharing companies

Ridesharing companies such as Uber and Cabify operate the airport. 

Cost: approximately EUR 15-29

Your boarding pass will show three letters signifying areas of the airport, like HJK, meaning your flight could arrive at any one of these three separate areas. Gates are only displayed and not announced over tannoy, so keep an eye on those screens.

Finally, Madrid Airport is huge, so leave at least 25-30 minutes to take the shuttle or walk to your gate.

Madrid Airport offers three medical centres.

Locations:
Terminal 2, before security, arrivals, ground level
Terminal 4, before security, arrivals, ground level
Terminal 4S, after security, ground level, boarding area M

Opening hours:
24 hours daily (Terminal 2 and 4 locations)
07:00-23:00 daily (Terminal 4S location)

Terminal 1

Cibeles Lounge

Reserved for non-Schengen flights, it offers food and drinks, newspapers, Wi-Fi, relaxation area, showers and other services.

Location: Terminal 1, after security, departures, level 2, between gates B26 and B29
Cost: EUR 35 adults, EUR 16,80 children aged 6-10, free for children under 5 years old
Opening hours: 24 hours daily

Terminal 2

Puerta de Alcalá Lounge

This lounge offers food and drinks, newspapers, Wi-Fi, meeting area, relaxation area, showers, other services. Lounge reserved for domestic and non-Schengen flights. 

Location: Terminal 2, after security, departures, near gate D62
Cost: EUR 33,90 adults, EUR 15,60 children aged 6-10, free for children under 5 years old
Opening hours: 05:00-00:00 daily

Terminal 3

Puerta del Sol Lounge

This lounge offers food and drinks, newspapers, TV, Wi-Fi, telephone, air traffic information, other services. Lounge reserved for domestic and non-Schengen flights. 

Location: Terminal 3, after security, departures, level 2, near gate E69
Cost: EUR 33,90 adults, EUR 15,60 children aged 6-10, free for children under 5 years old
Opening hours: 05:00-00:00 daily 

Terminal 4

Premium Lounge

VIP services including fast track services, massage parlour, relaxation room, meeting room and other services. A reservation is required to access to the lounge.

Location: Terminal 4, arrivals, ground level
Cost: Depends on the service requested
Opening hours: 07:00-23:00

Terminal 4S

Neptuno Lounge

This lounge offers food and drinks, showers, complimentary Wi-Fi, a kid's play area and more. 

Location: Terminal 4S, after security, departures, level 2
Cost: EUR 35 adults, EUR 16,80 children aged 6-10, free for children aged under 5 years old
Opening hours: 24 hours daily

There are 22 'Air Rooms' located inside Terminal 4. These are fully furnished, with double or two single beds. Mini bar, coffee/tea and newspaper as well as internet connection are provided. Rooms can be booked for day use (3-6 hours) between 10:00-18:00 or overnight.

They cost from EUR 75 for three hours. A 30-minute shower, as well as breakfast, can be booked for an additional EUR 45. Shower kits are provided (towel, gel and and slippers). 

Location: Terminal 4, before security, floor 1, close to the Underground station 
Opening hours: 24 hours

Madrid Airport has luggage storage areas, in Terminals 1, 2 and 4, provided by the Excess Baggage Company. There are also plastic-wrapping machines in the departure areas of Terminals 1, 2 and 4.

For a piece of luggage smaller than 210cm, storage costs:

0-2hrs, EUR 6 
2-24hrs, EUR 10
24hrs+, EUR 10/day

Locations:
Terminal 1, before security, ground level
Terminal 2, before security, level 1
Terminal 4, before security, arrivals, ground level

Opening hours:
24 hours daily (Terminal 1 and 4 location)
05:00-22:00 daily (Terminal 2 location)

The modern Terminal 4 has the best selection of places to shop. If you’re looking for affordable fashion, check out Zara. For something a little more luxurious, this is a great opportunity to wander around Boss, Burberry or Victoria's Secret.

Madrid Airport has three offices were citizens of non EU countries can reclaim VAT on goods bought in the EU.

Location: Terminal 1, after security, departures, level 1, near check-in
Opening hours: 07:00-22:00 daily

Location: Terminal 4, after security, departures, level 2
Opening hours: 07:00-22:20 daily

Location: Terminal 4S, after security, departures, level 2, near the boarding area
Opening hours: 24 hours daily 

The airport offers around 80 USB points to connect your phone or tablet, scattered around all the terminals of the airport.

Madrid airport offers play/nursery areas for children under six years old. There's also a breastfeeding lounge where you can change nappies, heat food, put your child down for a nap in a cot or simply let them play.

Locations:
Terminal 2, after security, departures, level 1, near Boarding Area D
Terminal 4, after security, departures, level 1 

Opening hours: 08:00-20:00 daily

You'll also find many playground areas throughout the terminals, and buggies for public use in Terminals 1, 2 and 4. 

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Shuttle bus to Terminal 4

To get from Terminals 1-3 to Terminal 4, take the free shuttle bus. This runs 24 hours a day from outside Arrivals and Departures. Journey time is around 15 minutes from Terminal 1 to 4. It also travels to the low-cost car park.

Shuttle train to Terminal 4S

Take the driverless, underground shuttle train to get from Terminal 4 to Terminal 4S: a distance over 2km. It runs every three minutes and the journey takes 10 minutes.