Barajas airport, Madrid

Coming from the airport to downtown Madrid might generously be described as a regal pain, especially when you are schlepping too much luggage.

Since 2010 there is now a bus that goes to Barajas, 24 hours a day. Price is 2 euros.
Travel time is about 30 minutes during the day and 20 minutes at night.
the bus is yellow

From downtown Madrid-
Calle O Donnell (Metro station)
Ciebeles (Metro Banco de España)
Atocha train station

From Barajas Airport
Terminals 2 and 4- arrivals area

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One of the simplest and cheapest ways to get to Madrid central from the airport is take the metro.

Single trip was 5 Euro.

The airport line is line 8. Once on the train, go to the end of the line (Nuevos Ministerios). Travel time is about 17 from the airport to Nuevos Ministerios.

Then take other lines depending on where you're haeding to.

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When we flew into Madrid we were very happy with the airport and how convenient it was to find our way to the buses – everything was laid out nicely and clearly marked. We didn’t have checked-in bags so I can’t comment on how well that worked. So we had a good first impression of the Madrid airport.

And then it was time to come home. Our impression changed. We got to the airport as scheduled and zipped through security without any problems. Our gate number wasn’t posted yet so we found a quiet place to read until the time came and we found our gate. At that point it started to go downhill.

We kept hearing the same announcement over and over informing the public that they do not make announcements about flight information. Okay, fine. We were at our gate. But then we learned that our flight was delayed – no announcement, not even at the gate. How long was the delay? No idea since there was no information. And the board we were told to keep checking was not updated. The Information Desk was no help at all since they didn’t know and weren’t willing to find out.

Eventually we saw the board update and we’d have a three hour delay. Again, no announcements so we had to just keep checking the board until we saw our new gate. Once on the plan, we had other issues and we told to get off the plane and it would be another two hours. Well, good thing we stayed near the gate because within 45 minutes we saw the flight crew come back and they started reboarding the plane.

Again, no announcements and passengers were scattered all over the very long terminal. The board was never updated to reflect this change. I am still not sure how everyone found out to get back within one hour and not the two.

The airlines said they don’t have control over the announcement system, which belongs to the airport. Excuse me, but I thought that announcing out of the ordinary flight changes like we were experiencing would fall under the concept of customer service. I guess not; but the airport sure made a point of letting us know that no announcements would be made (although they don’t tell you they don’t update the gate board either).

My impression of Madrid Airport is not very good and I was frustrated at the lack of service by both the concept of no announcements and the Information Desk.

My tip – sit near your gate and make frequent trips to the boards to confirm that nothing has changed. You might miss your flight if you don’t.

The first time I went to Madrid I decided to take the subway from the airport into downtown Madrid. It may be more economical, but if you are carrying more than one small suitcase you may not find the experience so enjoyable.

First, you have to transfer several times. Only the first transfer (Nuevos Ministerios) has elevators), the other stations you will have to go up and down corridors and escalators etc with your bags,,,,

easier to just get a cab or shuttle. sometimes saving money is overrated!

Barajas Airport has an excellent connection to central Madrid by Metro: take the Metro line 8 direction "Nuevos Ministerios", from where you can change to Lines 1, 9 or 10 to get into the inner city. A tourist day ticket cost about 8,- € (2012).

you have good tips already, let me tell you my five cents worth.

Atocha to T4 is very easy now with the express bus for five euros. you can also take the cercanias or suburbian train from Atocha to nuevos ministerios and then line 8 to Barajas T4 stop for 2,50 euros.

There is a new line not try yet the C1(cercanias) from principe pio and passes by Atocha direct to T4 for about 2,50 euros too.

hope it helps

as we cannot edit here, the site for the express bus and all other transport from Madrid tourist office in English is here
http://www.esmadrid.com/en/barajas-airport-express

To get to and from Barajas Airport and Madrid City Center take the yellow airport express bus. The bus fare is 5.00 Euros and drops you off at Plaza de Cibeles (pronounced Thibeles) on the side of Instituto Cervantes/Palacio de Buenavista. This is an important detail because for the way back to the airport you have to pick up the bus at Ayuntamiento, which is next to the Museo Naval.

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I was having a few hours to spare at the airport.
At the airport metro station I bought a day return ticket for 8 Euros.
With this ticket I could travel to the city and back.
The ticket was valid only for the metro, not the trains.

Usually at the airport, you have to pay a supplement of 3 Euros.
I think I was visiting Madrid when this supplement payment was suspended.

Line8 connected the airport with the city.

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ok so we write in the forums lots of tips that gets post it here, but in bits and pieces, I will try to do it once shot deal here .
There are four terminals 1,2,3,and 4 plus an annex 4S. You have bus or train connection to all of them. The buses are Lanzadera shuttle buses at several stop along the terminals from 6h30 to 23h30 each five minutes.and from 23h30 to 1h50 each 20 minutes, from 1h50 to 6h30 each 40 minutes. the service is free.

To come from and to airport, by metro you take line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios. At Barajas airport the metro stop at T2 level 1 or planta 1, and on T4 at level -1 or planta -1. You need to pay a supplement so therefore for example from T4 to a connection to line 10 you pay 2,50 euros.
www.metromadrid.es
tel for assistance +34 902 444 403

By bus, there are several. EMT buses on line 101 that goes from Barajas to Canillejas in Madrid.stop at T1 planta or level 0, in front of hall 2 baggage area.T1 level 1 arrivals, T2 level 0 front of hall 5 baggage area. T2 level 2 arrival; T1 ground floor, opposite baggage claim hall 2, T1 level 1 departures, T2 2nd floor departures.
bus of Madrid webpage http://www.emtmadrid.es/
interurban buses ,no 802 from mondays to fridays working days only; T1 to Coslada,San Fernando de Henares.
Bus 824, Torrejon de Ardoz from T1 departures, T2 arrivals, T1 arrivals;
using CTM interurban buses webpage http://www.ctm-madrid.es/
infoline Tel +34 902 507 850

There is the Express bus to all terminals, to Atocha,passing cibeles,O'Donnell ,dr Esquerdo, it does stop in airport at T4,T2,and T1 arrivals levels.cost is 2 euros, for information tel +34 902 507 850
bus No 200, to avenida de America interchange from T4 arrivals, T3 arrivals, T2 arrivals, T1 arrivals,and at Canillejas next to the metro stop.
interurban bus 827 to tres cantos , take it at T4 level 0 arrivals.
bus No 828 to Alcobendas , take it at T4 level 0 arrivals

long distance buses are taken from T4 level 0 arrivals for Alsa
www.alsa.es
tel +34 902 422 242
There are, also, taxis on all terminals at different spots. The fares are according to hours,and days, as well as luggage

by train, the cercanias C1 from Principe Pio to T4 every 30 minutes 5h15 to 23h32
T4 level -1, to Atocha is about 25 minutes, chamartin 11 mins, principe pio 38 mins cost is 2,15 euros, tel +34 902 320 320

by car, you canhave several approaches, the M40 exit 9A to A2 exit 12 to M14 to terminals 1,2,3.
R2 exit 3 to M12 then terminal 4
A1 exit 17 to M12 for all terminals and its the one I usually take.
parking is available and price by minute or days up to 4 days 18,30€ and over 5 days 14,65€ each day. webpage
http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Madrid-Barajas/es/Page/1237551727710//Oferta-de-parking.html
tel +34 902 404 704

Of course you can rent cars ,Avis, Hertz, National Atesa,Sixt, and Europcar, at level 0 in T1 and level -1 at T4

there are children play areas at T2 level 1, business center at T4 level 2 (very nice)/ there areleft luggage areas at T1 level 0, T2 level 1. Pharmacies at T1 level 0, T4 level 2.
Nursery in T2 level 1, T4 level 1
the trains of Spain RENFE has an office at T4 level 0 and T1 level 0.
you have for currency exchange American Express T4 , Airport Exchange T1, and Global Exchange T4S,T1,T2
ATM cash machines are all over by BBVA, Banco popular,Banesto,Caja Madrid. The place is like a commercial center with stores and restaurants all over the place.
Hope it helps

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very nice terminal 4 and 4S, all link up by tramway train very fast and convenient. They have an outside bus too connecting all terminals, the T4 is huge spacious,and plenty to eat and shop. The connections screens are well posted and notices are given quickly. All I spent 7 hours going in and out into Madrid on both legs of a trip and it was nice and easy

this is a good site for info and will have the official one in link
http://madrid-mad.worldairportguides.com/