Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) sits about 13 km from the city center and has four terminals — Terminal 4, where Iberia flights typically land, is physically separate from the other terminals and connected by a shuttle bus. Here's how to reach the center quickly and cheaply.
🚇 Metro — Line 8
The pink Line 8 connects T2 and T4 directly to Nuevos Ministerios station, from where you can easily reach anywhere in the center. The ride takes about 20-25 minutes.
- Price: a standard fare plus an airport supplement — total around $6 (~€4.5-5)
- Runs roughly 06:00 to 01:30
- Comfortable with luggage — escalators and lifts are available at every station
🚆 Cercanías commuter train
The C1 Cercanías line runs directly from T4 to the main central stations (Chamartín, Atocha) — often a cheaper and faster alternative to the metro if your destination is near one of those stations.
🚌 Exprés Aeropuerto bus
A 24-hour bus runs from T1, T2 and T4 to O'Donnell during the day and to Cibeles (city center) at night, at a fixed fare.
- Price: around $6 (~€5), journey ~40 minutes
- Every 15-20 minutes during the day, every 35 minutes at night
- A good option with a lot of luggage heading straight into the center
🚕 Taxis and ride-hailing apps
Official taxis in Madrid charge a fixed flat rate between the airport and the center (inside the M-30 ring) — around $44 (~€33), regardless of terminal. The ride takes 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.
Uber, Bolt and Cabify also operate widely in Madrid — often slightly cheaper than the official taxi rate.
If you land late at night, the metro and Cercanías stop running — the Exprés Aeropuerto bus or a taxi/Uber is your only option.
💡 Practical tips
- Arriving on an Iberia flight (T4)? Budget extra time for the inter-terminal shuttle before you even reach the metro or train
- Tickets for the metro and Cercanías can be bought at machines — both card and cash work
- For more on what to see in the city, check the full Madrid guide
- Get an eSIM on arrival — it makes navigating the transfer much easier
Use Travel365's price calendar to compare fares — routes to Spain tend to swing widely by season.
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