How to get from Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) ✈️ to the City Center

Madrid Airport (MAD), also known as Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez “Madrid-Barajas”, is largest airport in Spain and is located about 12 km northeast of the main city center. Upon arrival, you can reach downtown Madrid by Public Train, Metro, Express Bus, Taxi, Welcome Pickups (Private Transfer) or Car Sharing.

This guide compares all available airport transfers at Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) according to classic travel factors. This includes travel time, cost per person (pp), a short route description and links to book or buy tickets.

Transfer comparison

Overview of all transfer options from Madrid Airport to the City Center

	Transport	Travel time	Cost
	Metro	15‑20 Min.	7,50 €	Details
	Public Train	20‑45 Min.	2,60 €	Details
	Express Bus	20‑45 Min.	2,00 €	Details
	Taxi	30 Min.	35 €	Details
	Welcome Pickups	30 Min.	40 €	Details
	Carsharing	30 Min.	Individ.	Details

ⓘ Status 2023

Notices:
• There may be waiting times at the taxi rank if there are high volume of passengers. In this case, a pre-booked transfer (e.g. via Welcome Pickups) is the more faster and comfortable option.
• The optimal transfer depends on the number of travelers, budget and available time.

Madrid Travel Tips (AD)

Travel tips and recommendations for a great stay in Madrid:

    Cheap flights to Madrid

   Best hotels in Madrid

   Tours and attractions in Madrid

   City passes & tickets with time slot

   Guide Lonely Planet Pocket Madrid

   High-quality suitcases and trolleys

Metro

Timetable here, tickets on-site ↗

Travel time:

15-20 minutes

Cost:

5,00 € (+ 2,50 € Metro Card) pp

Description:

Metro line ‘8’ from Madrid Barajas Airport (stops at “Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3” and “Aeropuerto T4”) to the center of Madrid (stops “Mar de Cristal”, “Colombia” and “Nuevos Ministerios”)

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Public Train

Timetable here, tickets on-site ↗

Travel time:

20-45 minutes

Cost:

2,60 € pp (4 zones)

Description:

Public train lines ‘C1’ and ‘C10’ from Madrid Airport (stop “Aeropuerto T4”) to the center of Madrid (stations “Atocha”, “Chamartín”, “Nuevos Ministerios”, “Méndez Álvaro” and “Príncipe Pío”)

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Express Bus

Timetable here, tickets on-site ↗

Travel time:

45-60 minutes

Cost:

2,00 € pp

Description:

Express Bus ‘Exprés Aeropuerto’ from Madrid Airport (bus stop at Terminal 1-2 and Terminal 4) to the center of Madrid (stops „O’Donnel”, „Cibeles” and „Atocha” train station)

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Taxi

Official local taxis

Travel time:

30 minutes

Cost:

35 €

Description:

Taxi from Madrid Airport (Taxi stands at all terminals) to central Madrid or directly to your accommodation in the city center

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Welcome Pickups (AD)

Book a Private Transfer ↗

Travel time:

30 minutes

Cost:

40 €

Description:

Comfortable private transfer (via Welcome Pickups) from Madrid Airport (Nameplate in the Arrival Hall) to central Madrid or directly to your accommodation

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Car Sharing

Find local providers ↗

Travel time:

30 minutes

Cost:

Depending on selected car

Description:

Share Now, Emove, Wible, Zity or Wishilife from Madrid Airport (car sharing parking T1 & T4) to the center or directly to your accommodation

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Route from Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to central Madrid

Things to know about Madrid:

1. Madrid was founded around the 860 A.C.
2. Madrid is one of the sunniest cities in Europe (over 300 days of sunshine per year)
3. Madrid is home of 3 major football teams: Átletico Madrid, Getafe and of course Real Madrid