Madrid-Barajas Airport
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport is Spain’s busiest airport, located about 12 km north-east of central Madrid. It is the hub of Iberia and an important gateway between Europe and Latin America. Its Terminal 4, with its distinctive undulating bamboo-clad roof, opened in 2006.
Terminals and airlines
Madrid-Barajas has four terminals. Terminal 4 and its satellite T4S are used by Iberia and its oneworld partners; T4S handles many non-Schengen departures. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 form a connected complex used by many other airlines. Always check your terminal before you set off, as T4 is a separate building.
Transit and connections
Connections within T4 and T4S are common on Iberia itineraries; moving between T4S and T4 uses an automated underground train and, between Schengen and non-Schengen flights, passport control. Connections between T4 and T1–T3 require the inter-terminal shuttle bus. Size your connection with our Layover Planner.
Passenger facilities
All terminals offer shops, restaurants and lounges, with the largest choice in T4 and T4S. Check the airport operator Aena’s website for current services.
Official links
- Getting to and from the airport: esMadrid – getting to Madrid by plane
- Airport operator: Aena – Madrid-Barajas contact page (Spanish)
Rules and services checked against official sources in October 2026. Airlines and airports change their policies, fares and services regularly: always confirm the details for your own booking on the official pages linked here before you travel.
Transport Links
From Madrid's official tourism website, esMadrid:
- Metro Line 8 runs from the airport to Nuevos Ministerios, where you can change to other lines. It takes less than 20 minutes from T4 and about 12 minutes from the other terminals. An airport supplement is charged on top of the normal ticket at the airport stations.
- Cercanías (suburban train) C-1 runs between Terminal 4 and Chamartín, roughly every 20 minutes, with connections to other city stations.
- Airport Express bus links Atocha and Cibeles with O'Donnell and Terminals 1, 2 and 4.
- Taxis charge a fixed fare between the airport and the city centre inside the M-30 ring road; take them only from the official ranks. Check the current fare before you travel.
Compare costs with our Airport Transfer Cost Calculator.
Traveler Information
- Check your terminal. T4 is separate from T1, T2 and T3; free shuttle buses link the terminal buildings.
- Flying Iberia beyond Schengen? You may depart from T4S, reached by an underground train from T4; Iberia sets a 55-minute bag deadline there.
- Staying in Madrid? See our Madrid guide and Spain guide.
