Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)

There is plenty of parking available at Madrid Airport, including long-stay, short-stay, express, VIP and low-cost options. We’d recommend booking online in advance to secure the most convenient parking spot for your departure terminal and to access discounted rates. 

A number of car rental companies, including Sixt, Europcar, Thrifty and Enterprise, can be found at Madrid Airport. Talk to your Travel Expert about organising car hire for your trip or book it yourself online before you leave. 

Dedicated taxi ranks can be found outside the Arrivals area of all terminals, and a flat fare applies to all journeys starting and ending at Madrid Airport. Licensed taxis in Madrid are white with a distinguishing red stripe across the driver’s and passenger’s doors. Select rideshare services, like Uber and Bolt, are also available. Look for the pick-up areas in Terminal 1 (P1 Car Park), Terminal 2 (Express Car Park – Arrivals) and Terminal 4 (P4 Car Park – Floor 4).  

Airport shuttles and hotel transfers provide a good balance of convenience and affordability when travelling to or from Madrid Airport. It’s worth organising this in advance, so ask your Travel Expert to help you book airport or hotel transfers today. 

The Metro Line 8 is one of the most convenient ways to get from Madrid Airport to Madrid’s city centre, with trains running frequently between each airport terminal and Nuevos Ministerios, where travellers can easily connect to Metro Line 6 or 10. The journey on the metro will take you approximately half an hour and the service runs from around 6am to 2am every day. Travellers can also use the Cercanías C1/C10 train lines, which connect Madrid Airport (Terminal 4) with stations including Villalba de Guadarrama, Príncipe Pío and Chamartín. Public bus networks are also available. See the relevant transport websites for up-to-date information on timetables and fares.  

Need to transfer between the terminals at Madrid Airport? A free 24-hour shuttle bus runs between Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4, and it’s also possible to walk between Terminals 1, 2 and 3. For Terminals 4 and 4s, there’s an automated people mover (APM) to help passengers transfer between the terminals. 

As a busy international airport, there are lots of different airlines servicing Madrid Airport (MAD). Major carriers include Iberia, Ryanair, Vueling, Air France, British Airways and Lufthansa. For a more complete list, see the page above. 

As a general rule, you should aim to arrive at Madrid Airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure time for domestic flights or travel within the Schengen Area and three hours before long-haul international flights. This should give you plenty of time to complete check-in, drop your bags and pass through any necessary security screenings before your boarding time. Keep in mind that you may experience longer lines and delays during busy travel periods, so check with the airport, airline or your Travel Expert directly for more information on recommended arrival times. 

There are plenty of ground transportation options available from Madrid Airport to the city centre (and vice versa), including airport shuttles, taxi and rideshare transfers, car rentals and public transport connections like the Metro Line 8 or Cercanías C1/C10 train lines. 

Yes, there are a number of lounges at Madrid Airport, including the Retiro VIP Lounges, Plaza Mayor VIP Lounge and two Iberia lounges. Access to airport lounges may be possible depending on your ticket class, frequent flyer membership, credit card benefits or by purchasing a day pass. Check with the airport directly or talk to your Travel Expert for more information on how to access the lounges at Madrid Airport. 

If you’re looking for showers or a quiet space to relax while you wait for your flight from Madrid Airport, check the facilities, opening times and whether you’re able to access any of the airport lounges. Ready to book accommodation for your trip to Spain? Ask your Travel Expert to help you find the perfect airport hotel or city stay today! 

You may be able to earn loyalty points or rewards on eligible flights to or from Madrid booked with us. When booking online, you’ll see a place to add your loyalty program or frequent flyer membership details if this is available, or you can ask your Travel Expert for help when booking in-store. If the booking meets your program’s requirements, you’ll earn points! For more information, check with your specific loyalty program and see our Booking Terms and Conditions.

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Check-in times and baggage rules for flights departing from Madrid Airport will vary depending on your ticket, so make sure you confirm with your airline in advance. Remember, it’s often possible to check in online or via your airline’s app, which can help save time at the airport. For more information or help finding your check-in times and baggage limits, talk to your Travel Expert.  

There are five terminals at Madrid Airport: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 4S, so make sure to check your flight booking information or boarding pass to confirm your departure or arrival terminal. Need to transfer between the terminals? A free 24-hour shuttle bus runs between Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4, and it’s also possible to walk between Terminals 1, 2 and 3. For Terminals 4 and 4s, there’s an automated people mover (APM) to help you get to your boarding gate.  

Yes, short-term and long-term parking options are available at Madrid Airport. Check with the airport directly for more information on airport parking and the current rates. We’d recommend booking online to secure your preferred parking spot in advance and access discounted rates. 

Travelling with the little ones? Families can make use of the children’s play areas and baby changing room, equipped with microwaves, change tables and nursing areas, in Terminal 2 of Madrid Airport.  

Keen to do a little retail therapy at Madrid Airport? There are plenty of stores available for you to browse before your flight, including Longchamp, Mango, Marc Jacobs, Sunglass Hut and the Body Shop, as well as duty-free shops and dining options. Check the Madrid Airport terminal map or website for an up-to-date list of stores and their opening information. 

While last-minute sale fares to and from Madrid Airport may become available, you’ll generally find it pays to plan ahead, especially when booking international flights. As a rough guide, we recommend booking domestic flights or travel within the Schengen Area three to six months in advance and long-haul international flights six to nine months before you plan to fly. When it comes to balancing flexible travel dates with the biggest savings, this should give you the best of both worlds.