Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
Also known as: Madrid Airport, Barajas Airport, Madrid Barajas Airport. Formerly Madrid-Barajas Airport.
Private transfer from MADSee pricesSee pricesAbout Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is the main airport for Madrid and Spain's busiest airport, handling about 68 million passengers in 2025. It sits about 13 km (8 miles) northeast of the city center at Puerta del Sol, and about 9 km from the financial district around Nuevos Ministerios.
Iberia has its hub here and, with Air Nostrum and the other oneworld airlines, uses Terminal 4. SkyTeam and Star Alliance airlines, along with many others, use Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Flights reach every part of Spain and Europe, and Madrid is the main European gateway for Latin America, with many nonstop routes across the Atlantic.
The airport has two separate terminal areas. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 stand side by side and are linked on foot. Terminal 4, with its satellite Terminal 4S, is a separate building a few kilometers away; a driverless train under the apron links T4 and T4S.
From the airport, most travelers head into central Madrid, to the business districts along the Castellana, or on by high-speed train from Atocha and Chamartín to Toledo, Segovia, Seville and Barcelona.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Aena
- Runways
Four, in two parallel pairs
- Passengers per year
About 68.2 million in 2025
- Terminals
T1, T2, T3, T4 and the T4S satellite
- Main airline
Iberia (hub, Terminal 4)
Arrival tips for Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
Check your terminal before anyone comes to meet you: Iberia and oneworld flights arrive at Terminal 4 or its satellite T4S, and most other airlines at Terminals 1, 2 or 3, which are a separate building. If you land at T4S, you take the driverless train to T4 to reach baggage claim.
Flights from other Schengen countries arrive without passport checks. If you come from outside the Schengen area, such as the Americas or the UK, you queue at passport control, where non-EU visitors are registered in the EU's Entry/Exit System; queues can be long when several long-haul flights land in the morning. After baggage claim you pass through customs into the arrivals hall.
Follow the signs to your transport. Metro Line 8 runs from Terminal 2 and Terminal 4 to Nuevos Ministerios, Cercanías C-1 trains run from Terminal 4 to Chamartín and Atocha, and EMT buses run into the city, including a 24-hour express to Atocha. Official taxis, white with a red stripe, wait at the ranks outside each terminal. Pre-booked drivers usually meet you in the arrivals hall.
Spain is on Central European Time (CET) and uses the euro.
Ground transportation
Metro and train are cheap and quick into the city; a taxi or pre-booked car is easier with luggage, late at night or for addresses away from the stations.
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Book a transfer from MADMetro Line 8
From Terminal 2 and Terminal 4 to Nuevos Ministerios, with connections across the Metro network. Includes an airport supplement.
Cercanías train from Terminal 4
Line C-1 runs from Terminal 4 to Chamartín and Atocha, where you can change to high-speed trains.
Express bus to Atocha
EMT's 24-hour airport express runs to Atocha, the main option at night.
Taxi from Madrid airport
Official white taxis with a red stripe wait at the ranks outside each terminal. Door to door into the city.
Private transfer
A pre-booked car meets you in the arrivals hall, useful for families, groups and trips to Toledo, Segovia or the suburbs.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Walking between Terminals 1, 2 and 3
Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are side by side and connected inside the building.
- 2
Free shuttle bus to Terminal 4
A free airport bus links Terminals 1, 2 and 3 with Terminal 4, which is a separate building.
- 3
Metro Line 8
Line 8 stops at Terminal 2 (for T1–T3) and Terminal 4.
- 4
T4 to T4S train
A driverless train runs about 2 km under the apron between Terminal 4 and the satellite T4S; it is the only way between them.
Terminals
Terminal 1
Next to Terminals 2 and 3, used by SkyTeam, Star Alliance and other airlines.
Terminal 2
The middle of the three linked terminals, with the Metro station that also serves Terminals 1 and 3.
Terminal 3
Next to Terminal 2, used by SkyTeam, Star Alliance and other airlines.
Terminal 4
A separate building used by Iberia, Air Nostrum and the oneworld airlines, with its own Metro and Cercanías stations.
Airlines commonly assigned here: American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways
Terminal 4S
The satellite of Terminal 4, reached only by a driverless train from T4. Used for many long-haul and non-Schengen flights.
Airlines and destinations
Airport lounges
Dalí and Velázquez lounges, Terminal 4
Iberia's lounges in Terminal 4, renovated in 2018–2019, for eligible Iberia and oneworld passengers.
Parking
P1
Outdoor parking lot in front of the terminal building.
P2
Indoor parking garage with direct access to Terminals 2 and 3.
Express parking
Short-stay parking at Terminal 2.
Long-stay parking lot
About 1,655 spaces, with a free shuttle bus to all terminals.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Madrid airport from the city center?
Madrid-Barajas is about 13 km (8 miles) northeast of the city center at Puerta del Sol, and about 9 km from the business district around Nuevos Ministerios. Metro Line 8, Cercanías trains from Terminal 4, buses, taxis and pre-booked cars all run into the city.
Which terminal does Iberia use at Madrid?
Iberia uses Terminal 4 and its satellite T4S, together with Air Nostrum and the other oneworld airlines such as British Airways, American Airlines and Qatar Airways. SkyTeam and Star Alliance airlines use Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
How do I get from Terminal 4 to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 at Madrid?
Terminal 4 is a separate building a few kilometers from Terminals 1, 2 and 3. A free airport shuttle bus links them, and Metro Line 8 stops at both Terminal 4 and Terminal 2. Allow plenty of time if you need to change between them.
How do I get from Madrid airport to Atocha station?
Take a Cercanías C-1 train from the station at Terminal 4 straight to Atocha, or the 24-hour EMT express bus from the terminals. From other terminals, take the free shuttle bus or Metro to Terminal 4 for the train.
What is Terminal 4S at Madrid airport?
T4S is the satellite building of Terminal 4, used by Iberia and oneworld airlines for many long-haul and non-Schengen flights. It is about 2 km from T4 and reached only by a driverless underground train. Arrivals at T4S take the train to T4 for baggage claim.
What do official taxis look like in Madrid?
Madrid's official taxis are white with a red stripe. They wait at the signposted ranks outside each terminal. Use only these ranks rather than accepting offers inside the terminal.