# Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)

> Madrid, ES · 12 km (7.5 mi) northeast of Madrid city center

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/mad
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/mad.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: MAD
- **ICAO**: LEMD
- **Timezone**: Europe/Madrid
- **Runways**: 4
- **Terminals**: 5
- **Passengers**: 68.1M/yr
- **Worldwide rank**: #5
- **Hub for**: Iberia, Air Europa
- **Official site**: https://www.aena.es/en/adolfo-suarez-madrid-barajas.html

## Overview

## Welcome

Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) offers a fascinating juxtaposition, serving as a hub where modern design meets old-school European flair. Terminals T1 through T3 convey a traditional travel atmosphere often criticized for feeling cramped and outdated, while T4 and its satellite, T4S, boast a sleek, glass-and-wood design by architect Santiago Calatrava that infuses the space with natural light. The airport’s dual nature means that knowing your terminal can make a significant difference in dining options, lounge access, and the overall ease of your journey.

## At a glance

Madrid–Barajas delivers a yearly passenger count of 68.1 million across four runways and stands as a principal hub for Iberia and Air Europa. Geographically, it occupies a spot 12 km (7.5 miles) northeast of Madrid's city center, making it a relatively quick trip into town. Each terminal hosts a different slice of life with Terminal 1 mainly serving low-cost carriers like Ryanair and easyJet, while Terminal 4 is where Iberia and British Airways operate their primary services.

## Terminals & layout

This sprawling airport consists of five terminals designated as T1, T2, T3, T4, and T4S. T1 through T3 form the older cluster and are connected on foot, although these tend to feel more crowded. Meanwhile, T4 and T4S have been designed to ease the passenger flow with wide, bright spaces. If you’re flying non-Schengen routes, expect long walks in T4S and plan plenty of extra time for additional security checks.

## Getting to and from the city

Madrid offers several transportation options to the city. Fast and efficient, the Cercanías C1 train from T4 reaches Atocha in approximately 27–30 minutes at roughly €2.60–3.40. If luggage is a concern, the Exprés Aeropuerto bus is a smart choice at €5, taking you to Atocha/Cibeles within 30-40 minutes. Metro Line 8 also connects to the city but requires transfers and is less practical with large bags. For direct road options, taxis have a flat €30 fare to central Madrid.

## Traveller essentials

For those driving, the airport has multiple parking options including P1 and P2 for general parking, VIP Parking at T1 and T4, and a Long Stay Car Park. If you’re connecting through T4S, be aware of potential long walks and allow at least 75 minutes for layovers due to multiple passport and security checks. The free green inter-terminal shuttle that operates round the clock is faster than the public buses for terminal transfers.

## Dining & shopping highlights

The array of over 30 restaurants provides plenty of choices yet varies greatly between terminals. T4 houses upscale dining spots like Kirei by Kabuki, while T1 leans more towards fast food staples such as McDonald's and KFC. For retail therapy, Dufry Duty Free has shops across all terminals. T4 excels in Spanish designer offerings like Adolfo Domínguez and Carolina Herrera.

## Lounges

A robust selection of 10 lounges includes the prestigious Iberia Premium Lounges in T4 and T4S, celebrated for their food and modern amenities, including a cava bar and excellent shower facilities. For Priority Pass members, consider the Cibeles Lounge in T1 or the Puerta de Alcalá Lounge in T2, which offer a quieter retreat compared to their bustling surroundings.

## Insider tips

- **Insider:** Opt for T4/T4S over T1–T3 for superior dining and lounge access. Regular travelers say T4 feels like a different airport.

- **Time:** Use the free green inter-terminal shuttle; it’s faster than walking and runs 24/7.

- **Avoid:** Wandering into duty-free if landing in T4S on a non-Schengen flight; head straight to Passport Control to avoid delays.

- **Quiet:** Seek solitude at the ends of T4’s piers where empty benches and large windows await.

- **Local:** Grab a quick, authentic bite at Rodilla in T4 for the classic ensaladilla.

- **Money:** T4 bars offer wine at prices not much above Madrid city levels—avoid overpriced bottles elsewhere.

- **Avoid:** Avoid the metro if you have luggage; the Express Bus or Cercanías from T4 is more practical.

- **Time:** Allocate 20–30 minutes for T4/T4S connections due to long walks and passport checks.

## Terminals (5)

- **Terminal 1** — Ryanair, easyJet
- **Terminal 2** — Iberia Express, TAP Air Portugal
- **Terminal 3**
- **Terminal 4** — Iberia, British Airways
- **Terminal 4 Satellite** — Qatar Airways, Emirates

## Dining (30)

- **Burger King**
- **Burger King** — T1
- **Burger King** — T2
- **Caffe di Fiore** — T2
- **Caffè di Roma** — T2
- **Eat** — T1
- **Food Market Mercado de San Miguel** — T4
- **Food Market T4S** — T4S
- **Go Natural** — T4
- **KFC** — T1
- **Kirei by Kabuki** — T4
- **La Bellota**
- **La Mary** — T4
- **La Pausa** — T3
- **Mahou Madrid** — T4
- **Mahou Sports Bar** — T2
- **MasQMenos** — T4
- **McDonald's** — T1
- **Museo del Jamón** — T2
- **Pans & Company** — T1
- **Paul** — T2
- **Rodilla**
- **Rodilla** — T1
- **Rodilla** — T4
- **Santa Gloria** — T2
- **Starbucks**
- **Starbucks** — T4
- **The Garden**
- **Urban Grill** — T4
- **Vips** — T1

## Lounges (10)

- **American Express Lounge by Pont** — T4 · T4, Amex
- **Cibeles Lounge** — T1 · T1 non-Schengen, Priority Pass
- **Iberia Premium Lounge Dalí** — T4 · T4 Schengen, Iberia/oneworld
- **Iberia Premium Lounge Velázquez** — T4S · T4S non-Schengen, Iberia/oneworld
- **Neptuno Lounge** — T1 · T1 Schengen, Priority Pass
- **Plaza Mayor Lounge** — T1 · T1 non-Schengen, Priority Pass
- **Puerta de Alcalá Lounge** — T2 · T2 Schengen, Priority Pass
- **Puerta del Sol Lounge** — T3 · T3 Schengen, Priority Pass
- **Sala VIP Columbus** — T1 · T1, VIP lounge
- **Sala VIP La Revoltosa** — T4 · T4, VIP lounge

## Shops (20)

- **Adolfo Domínguez** — T4
- **Bubó Barcelona** — T4
- **Carolina Herrera** — T4
- **Desigual** — T4
- **Dufry Duty Free**
- **Dufry Duty Free** — T1
- **Dufry Duty Free** — T2
- **Dufry Duty Free** — T3
- **Dufry Duty Free** — T4
- **Farmacia** — T1
- **Farmacia** — T4
- **InMotion** — T4
- **La Casa de las Carcasas** — T2
- **Lots of Spain** — T4
- **Parfois** — T1
- **Relay** — T1
- **Relay** — T2
- **Relay** — T4
- **Swarovski** — T4
- **Tech & Fly** — T1

## Parking (10)

- **Express Parking T1** — Kiss and fly
- **Express Parking T2** — Kiss and fly
- **Express Parking T4** — Kiss and fly
- **Long Stay Car Park** — Long-stay
- **Low Cost Car Park** — Long-stay economy
- **P1 General Parking** — Short-stay
- **P2 General Parking** — Short-stay
- **P4 General Parking** — Short-stay
- **VIP Parking T1** — Valet
- **VIP Parking T4** — Valet

## Ground transport (15)

- **ALSA Long-Distance Buses** — Intercity coach · Typical long‑distance coach times from T4: around 2.5-3 hr to Zaragoza, 2.5-3 hr to Salamanca, subject to route and traffic.[https://www.alsa.es/en/routes/madrid-airport] · Varies widely by route; Reddit examples show airport–Salamanca around €20-30 and airport–Zaragoza around €15-25 depending on date and advance purchase.[https://www.alsa.es/en/routes/madrid-airport][https://www.reddit.com/r/spain/comments/8cm2br/alsa_bus_from_madrid_airport/] · Only a handful of ALSA departures per day serve Aeropuerto T4 on each long‑distance route; many more leave from central Madrid stations.[https://www.alsa.es/en/routes/madrid-airport]
- **Bolt** — Rideshare · When available, driving time to central Madrid is similar to taxis (20-30 min), but wait times for pickup can be noticeably longer.[https://www.reddit.com/r/madrid/comments/r7f4i9/bolt_in_madrid/] · Dynamic pricing; limited user reports suggest fares broadly similar to Uber for comparable routes.[https://www.reddit.com/r/madrid/comments/r7f4i9/bolt_in_madrid/] · Service not as dense as Uber/Cabify; car availability at the airport is inconsistent according to Reddit reports.[https://www.reddit.com/r/madrid/comments/r7f4i9/bolt_in_madrid/]
- **Cabify** — Rideshare · Journey time similar to taxis: roughly 20-30 min to central Madrid in normal traffic once picked up.[https://www.reddit.com/r/madrid/comments/d9zaf3/uber_from_madrid_airport/] · Dynamic but Reddit reports typical Cabify fares airport–central Madrid in the ~€25-35 range outside surge periods.[https://www.reddit.com/r/madrid/comments/d9zaf3/uber_from_madrid_airport/] · 24/7 app availability; actual car supply and wait times vary.[https://www.reddit.com/r/madrid/comments/d9zaf3/uber_from_madrid_airport/]
- **Cercanías C1** — Suburban train · Airport T4 to Atocha about 27–30 min; to Chamartín about 11–15 min.[https://www.renfe.com/es/en/suburban/cercanias-madrid/aeropuerto-t4] · Standard Cercanías single approx €2.60–3.40; included for free with many AVE/long‑distance tickets using the Combinado Cercanías code.[https://www.renfe.com/es/en/suburban/cercanias-madrid/aeropuerto-t4] · Every 15-30 min depending on time of day, roughly 06:00–23:30.[https://www.renfe.com/es/en/suburban/cercanias-madrid/aeropuerto-t4]
- **Cercanías C10** — Suburban train · Aeropuerto T4 to Chamartín about 11–15 min; to Príncipe Pío around 40–45 min including central stops.[https://www.renfe.com/es/en/suburban/cercanias-madrid/aeropuerto-t4][https://www.raileurope.com/en/blog/madrid-airport-to-city-center] · Same Cercanías fare as C1: approx €2.60–3.40 from Aeropuerto T4 to central Madrid.[https://www.renfe.com/es/en/suburban/cercanias-madrid/aeropuerto-t4] · Combined with C1, trains roughly every 15-20 min on the airport branch during most of the day.[https://www.renfe.com/es/en/suburban/cercanias-madrid/aeropuerto-t4]
- **EMT 101 Canillejas** — City bus · Canillejas to T1/T2/T3 around 15-25 min depending on traffic.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=101] · Standard EMT single fare approx €1.50-2.00.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=101] · Buses roughly every 15-20 min during daytime; no overnight service listed.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=101]
- **EMT 200 Avenida de América** — City bus · Airport to Avenida de América typically 20-30 min depending on terminal and traffic.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=200] · Standard EMT fare around €1.50-2.00 using single ticket or multi‑trip card.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=200] · Roughly every 7-15 min during operating hours, no overnight service.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=200]
- **Exprés Aeropuerto 203** — Airport express bus · Official end‑to‑end journey around 30-40 min between airport and Atocha/Cibeles, longer at peak traffic.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=203][https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/ctyqu6/madrid_airport_transport_to_city/] · EMT lists a single ticket for Exprés Aeropuerto at €5.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=203] · Every ~15-20 min in daytime, every 35 min overnight; operates 24/7.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=203]
- **Interurban Bus 822 Coslada San Fernando** — Regional bus · Airport to Coslada/San Fernando about 25-40 min depending on traffic and specific stop.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=822] · Interurban zone fare around €1.50-3.00 depending on zones covered and ticket type.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/abonos-y-titulos-de-transporte.aspx] · Daytime service roughly every 15-30 min on weekdays, reduced on weekends.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=822]
- **Interurban Bus 824 Alcalá de Henares** — Regional bus · Airport to Alcalá de Henares typically 40-50 min depending on traffic.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=824][https://www.reddit.com/r/spain/comments/9p9ruv/transport_from_madrid_airport_to_alcal%C3%A1_de_henares/] · Interurban fare band to Alcalá de Henares roughly €3-4 one way.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/abonos-y-titulos-de-transporte.aspx] · Around every 30 min at peak, less frequent off‑peak and weekends.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=824]
- **Interurban Bus 827 Tres Cantos** — Regional bus · Airport corridor to Tres Cantos area approximately 45-60 min depending on traffic and stops.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=827] · Interurban fare in the corresponding zones about €2-4 one way.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/abonos-y-titulos-de-transporte.aspx] · Similar to other interurban lines: roughly every 20-30 min on weekdays, sparser at weekends.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=827]
- **Interurban Bus 828 Universidad Autónoma** — Regional bus · Canillejas/airport side to Universidad Autónoma about 30-45 min.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=828] · Typical interurban fare for that zone combination about €2-4 one way.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/abonos-y-titulos-de-transporte.aspx] · Roughly every 20-30 min on teaching days, reduced service during holidays and weekends.[https://www.crtm.es/billetes-y-tarifas/lineas-y-horarios.aspx?lin=828]
- **Metro Line 8** — Metro · Airport (T4) to Nuevos Ministerios around 15-20 min; total to Puerta del Sol typically 35-45 min with transfers.[https://www.metromadrid.es/en/linea/line-8][https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187514-i126-k11685944-Madrid_Airport_to_Atocha_Station-Madrid.html] · Approx €4.50-6 including airport supplement, depending on ticket type and zone.[https://www.metromadrid.es/en/travel-tickets/fares] · Every 5-7 min daytime; first trains around 6:00 and last around 1:30, no 24/7 service.[https://www.metromadrid.es/en/practical-information/timetables]
- **Taxi Madrid** — Taxi · Typical ride to central areas (Sol/Gran Vía) 20-30 min in light traffic, up to 40+ min at rush hour.[https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/cq4f23/how_to_get_from_madrid_airport_to_city_center/] · Fixed fare €30 between any airport terminal and addresses inside the M-30 ring road; meter used for other destinations at standard per‑km rates.[https://www.madrid.es/portales/munimadrid/en/Inicio/Transport-and-maps/Taxi] · 24/7 availability with dedicated taxi ranks at all terminals; wait times vary with demand.[https://www.madrid.es/portales/munimadrid/en/Inicio/Transport-and-maps/Taxi]
- **Uber** — Rideshare · In normal traffic, 20-30 min to central Madrid once picked up, similar to taxis.[https://www.reddit.com/r/madrid/comments/d9zaf3/uber_from_madrid_airport/] · Variable dynamic pricing; Reddit examples show rides to central Madrid often in the €25-40 range depending on demand.[https://www.reddit.com/r/madrid/comments/d9zaf3/uber_from_madrid_airport/] · Service available 24/7 in Madrid, though car availability and wait times vary by time and events.[https://www.reddit.com/r/madrid/comments/ik2r1e/uber_cabify_during_ifema_fairs/]

## Insider tips

- _Insider_: Opt for T4/T4S over T1–T3 for superior dining and lounge access. Regular travelers say T4 feels like a different airport.
- _Time_: Use the free green inter-terminal shuttle; it’s faster than walking and runs 24/7.
- _Avoid_: Wandering into duty-free if landing in T4S on a non-Schengen flight; head straight to Passport Control to avoid delays.
- _Quiet_: Seek solitude at the ends of T4’s piers where empty benches and large windows await.
- _Local_: Grab a quick, authentic bite at Rodilla in T4 for the classic ensaladilla.
- _Money_: T4 bars offer wine at prices not much above Madrid city levels—avoid overpriced bottles elsewhere.
- _Avoid_: Avoid the metro if you have luggage; the Express Bus or Cercanías from T4 is more practical.
- _Time_: Allocate 20–30 minutes for T4/T4S connections due to long walks and passport checks.