Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) to Madrid
Metro line 8 and the Cercanías train (from Terminal 4) are the cheapest ways in, while the 24-hour Exprés Aeropuerto bus goes straight to Atocha. Taxis charge a flat fare to anywhere inside the M-30 ring road.
Best for most people: Bus. The Exprés Aeropuerto bus runs around the clock from all terminals to the centre without changes, at a fixed low price.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| metro Line 8 (pink) from T1-T2-T3 or T4 to Nuevos Ministerios, then change for the rest of the network | about 25–40 min to Sol | every 5–10 min | about €4.50–5 including the €3 airport supplement | about 06:00–01:30 | Buy a rechargeable public transport card at the station machines. |
| train Cercanías C1 or C10 from Terminal 4 to Chamartín, Nuevos Ministerios, Sol (C1 via Atocha) or Atocha | about 25–30 min | every 15–30 min | about €2.60; free with some long-distance Renfe tickets | about 06:00–23:30 | Only from T4; from other terminals use the free shuttle bus between terminals first. |
| bus Exprés Aeropuerto bus from T1, T2 and T4 to O'Donnell, Cibeles and Atocha (Cibeles only at night) | about 30–40 min | every 15–35 min | about €5, card payment on board | 24 h | At night it ends at Cibeles instead of Atocha. |
| taxi Official white taxis from the ranks outside each terminal | about 20–30 min | flat fare about €33 to anywhere inside the M-30 | 24 h | The flat fare includes luggage and airport supplement. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
Sort it before you land
Partner links: TonyPlan may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips
- Check which terminal you land at: T4 is far from T1–T3 and is the only one with the Cercanías train.
- The flat taxi fare only applies inside the M-30 ring; outside it the meter runs.
- The metro airport supplement is not charged if you use a monthly or tourist travel pass.
- Ride-hailing apps (Uber, Cabify) work at Barajas from the signed pickup areas.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Madrid airport to the centre?
Madrid taxis charge a flat fare of about €33 from Barajas to any address inside the M-30 ring road, which covers the whole historic centre. The price is the same day and night, includes luggage and is per car, not per person. Take a white taxi with a red stripe from the official rank outside your terminal.
Is there public transport at night?
Yes, the Exprés Aeropuerto bus runs 24 hours a day. At night it goes from the terminals to Cibeles instead of Atocha. The metro closes around 01:30 and the Cercanías trains stop around 23:30, so if you land late the night bus or a taxi at the flat fare are the practical options.
How long does it take to get to Sol?
By metro line 8 with a change at Nuevos Ministerios, expect about 30 to 40 minutes to Sol. The Cercanías C1 from Terminal 4 can be faster, around 25 to 30 minutes. A taxi usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, but traffic at rush hour can add time. The Exprés Aeropuerto bus to Cibeles or Atocha takes about 30 to 40 minutes.
Can I pay by card?
Yes. You can pay by card at metro and Cercanías ticket machines, the Exprés Aeropuerto bus accepts card payment on board, and Madrid taxis must accept cards. Contactless works almost everywhere. Carrying a small amount of cash is still sensible, but you will rarely need it to get into town.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.