There are a number of ways you can get from the Madrid airport to downtown. Arranging a Madrid Airport transfer will mostly depend on where you are staying, your budget and how long you want to spend travelling from the airport to your accommodation.
I live here in Madrid and usually choose to get the Metro, but I live pretty close to the Airport and am familiar with the Metro network. After a long flight though, and if I am with the family, I tend to opt for the private car or taxi option, as the metro can be pretty taxing after a long flight and with jet lag, so paying a little more is really worth it.
If you are travelling light though, or are really watching your budget, there are a few alternatives that will cost you less money, and you get to see a little more of the city in the process.
Madrid Airport Transfers Using The Metro
Barajas Airport in Madrid has entrances to the Metro station at Terminal T2 and at the new Terminal T4 also. Both give you access to Line 8 (the pink one on the map). The trains come frequently every 5 minutes from 6.00am to 2.00 am (yes, the metro stays open that late in Madrid).
Is there a local train from Madrid airport to central Madrid?
Line 8 will take from the Airport to Nuevos Ministerios just north of the city centre, so if you are staying in this area, the connections from here will take you pretty much everywhere downtown.
The journey will take about 15 minutes which is really quick, and along the way you can change at Mar De Cristal where you can swap for Line 4, or at Colombia where you can switch to lines 6 and 10. And at the final stop, Nuevos Ministerios you can change for lines 6 and 10.
A single ticket from Madrid Airport to most destinations is around 5 euros currently, but if you already have a Metro card, you can get this supplement for 2 euros cheaper. If you are going to be spending more than a day or two, you can get your own Metro card at one of the machines which will cost around 3 euros, but then a weekly Metro card that will allow you to use bus, trains and trams is only 8.50 euros, very cheap.
So in short, if you have the time and energy, want to travel like the locals and on a budget, use the Metro to get from the Airport to Downtown, it’s not like most cities where you have to pay a lot of money. The trains are spacious, always clean, climate controlled and the people are nice, so it’s a great option when looking for Madrid Airport Transfers.
Madrid Airport Transfer Using Cercanillas Trains
This is another option when it comes to using trains, and cercanillas trains currently operate out of T4. The trains from the airport start at 6am running every half an hour until 12 midnight.
How long will it take to get to the centre from Madrid airport ? depending on where you are staying, it will take around 35 minutes to get to Principe Pio, 25 minutes to get to Atocha and around 15 – 20 minutes to get to Nuevos Ministerios. If you are travelling light you can walk to most places, but the connection options are really good so you will be able to get to wherever you need to go.
The cost of using the Cercanillas trains is really cheap also, as getting a train to one of the central stations will cost you under 2 euros. This makes it cheaper than using the Metro, but not that much of a difference. Choose whichever is more convenient to you.
You can check out the times for the Cercanillas trains from Madrid Airport here.
Madrid Airport Transfer using the Bus
If you are on a shoestring budget, or just like to watch what you spend, using the bus to get from Barajas Airport into the city is the cheapest option, and you also get a great view of the city and get some ideas on a few things to see on the way.
There are a number of buses that leave from the airport to different parts of the city centre.
- The express 203 from the Airport to Atocha
Getting from the Airport to Atocha using the express bus is very cheap and convenient, and really doesn’t take that much longer than a train or a taxi. The buses start at 6am until 11.30pm and run every 20 minutes, then from 11.30pm to 6am they run every 35 minutes. But be aware that the night buses will stop at Ceiebeles and do not go on to Atocha.
The bus takes about half an hour from the airport to Atocha depending on the time of the day and flow of traffic. You can catch the bus from terminals T1 – T2 and T4, and it will cost you 5 Euros, and compared to most European cities this is a steal.
Check out the train times for the express bus service from Madrid Airport to Atocha here.
- Line 101 from Madrid airport to Canillejas
The 101 bus will take you from Madrid Barajas Airport to Canillejas. You can get the bus from terminals T1 and T2, and they run every 16-22 mins. The operating hours of line 101 are from Mon-Sat: 06:00 – 23:45h, Sun-Holidays: 07:00 – 23:25h. The cost of the bus is 1.50 euros per person (one way), and when you get to Canillejas, the buses available will be 77-114-115-140 if you need to move on to a further destination.
Check out all the stops and times for the 101 here.
- Line 200 from Madrid airport to Avenida de America
The 200 line takes you to one of the main stations in the heart of Madrid. The bus is available from all terminals at the airport, the hours are 05:00 – 23:30h 7 days a week, and they run every 10-15 minutes. The cost for a single journey from Madrid airport to Avenida de America is 1.50 euros.
Check out the stops and bus times for line 200 here.
Madrid Airport Transfer Getting A Taxi
The Taxi´s are located at the exits as soon as you step out of the Airport. They are available at all terminals, and at the main entrances. The Taxis have their own special lane and this is the only spot they are allowed to park at the Airport, so you cannot miss them and don´t need to worry about flagging one down.
How much is a taxi from Madrid airport to central Madrid?
Something really good about using a taxi as your mode of airport transfer in Madrid, is that there is a flat fee of 30 euros to any part of the city, as long as it is within the M-30 ring road. The M-30 is pretty large and encapsulates the entire city centre, so if your destination is within the limits, they cannot charge you more.
If you need to travel further out, then the fare is a fixed amount of €20 for the first 10km, and after that the meter is turned on and continues to count until you reach your destination.
Given all the other options, I wouldn’t make getting a taxi your first choice. This is not because the service is bad or anything, the taxi service actually works really well around the city. Just that on the odd occasion, you may get a taxi driver taking advantage of your inexperience with the service, and it can lead to an unpleasant situation you can avoid.
Madrid Airport Transfers Using A Private Car Service
The best way to get from Madrid Airport to central Madrid is hands down a private car service. You can book it in advance, not worry about any delays knowing you will have a car waiting for you when you get out of the airport, who will take care of your bags and provide a professional service from the airport to your accommodation.
No matter which private car service you choose, they all use executive sedans and you will enjoy the much needed comfort after your trip. When booking your Private Car from Madrid airport, you can even request to have a driver that speaks your language.
One of the best providers of private car transfers from Madrid airport to Madrid city center is Viator. This is because they have free cancellation policies, and they are a very well known company in the tourism world, so they treat customers really well.
See all available options for Private Car Transfers from Madrid airport here.
A final word on Madrid Airport Transfers
So as you can see, when choosing how you will get from Madrid airport to central Madrid, there are a few things to take into account. Your budget, where you will be staying, your familiarity with the city etc. If you have the budget, opt for the private car service, as it will not work out that much more expensive than a taxi, but you get the peace of mind that comes from the use of a professional service.
If you are going to choose any of the other methods mentioned on the list, then be sure to do a little research before you get here. Have a map ready on your phone with the possible routes you can take. Do everything you can to avoid any mishaps, as we all know how frustrating it is to get lost in a foreign country and how costly it can end up being.
Let us know about your experiences in the comments to help other travelers get the best experience when visiting Madrid also, or just drop me a line in private if you have any other questions and I would be happy to have a chat.
Good post.
Hi there, thanks, Im glad it was helpful )