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Getting Into Madrid

Getting Into Madrid - Madrid, Spain

With the striking architecture of Terminal 4 at Barajas, arriving in Madrid has never been more enthralling. Of course, you'll have to leave the airport eventually. We'll lead you through that, but never fear. We'll get you back to Barajas, too.

Arriving by Air

Barajas, Madrid's international airport, is located approximately 13km (8 miles) northeast of Madrid's center. There are several transportation options to get you between Madrid's city center and Barajas.

Bus line 200 runs to and from Barajas (from Terminals 1, 2, and 3) every 10 minutes on weekdays between 6:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. and every 15 to 20 minutes on weekends and holidays between 7:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. The bus stops at the Avenida de América metro station, where you can catch the metro to take you farther into the center of Madrid. Line 200 travels daily from Barajas Airport to Avenida de América. Line 204 will take you from Terminal 4 to Avenida de América. The fare is €2.40.

Another option is to take the Barajas Metro line, a line that connects the airport to all of Madrid. Terminal No. 4 is one stop beyond the regular airport stop. If you intend to use the Metro a few times, you can save a bundle by purchasing a 10-journey ticket, for €7.40. An individual Metro ticket costs €2. Take line 8 to the Nuevos Ministerios Metro station and then switch to line 4 or whichever line will get you to your final destination.

The Aerocity shared taxi service can be a very good deal for groups of two and three. Aerocity taxis take a maximum of seven passengers, and make a maximum of three stops on each journey to or from the airport. Just €23 provides door-to-door service for one, two, or three people.

The last and most pricey option is to spend upwards of €25 (plus surcharges of between €5.25) for a taxi.

For more information about Madrid Barajas, check out the airport's official site

Arriving by Train

Madrid has two main railway stations. Atocha handles train traffic to and from Lisbon, Toledo, Andalusia, and Extremadura; trains to and from Barcelona, Asturias, Cantabria, and France arrive and depart from Chamartín. For information about either of these stations call RENFE (Spanish Railways) at 90-224-02-02. Both stations are easily accessible via metro. For more information, visit RENFE online.

Note that the new high speed AVE train has a money-back guarantee if the train is more than five minutes late. Visit the AVE customer service counter to learn more. Another tip: always try to buy a roundtrip ticket. You'll save 15 percent by doing so.


Arriving by Bus

Coaches in Spain are called Autocares. Most national and international buses take off from Estacion Sur de Autobuses (Calle Mendez Alvaro 83; 91-468-42-00; Metro: Mendez Alvaro). You can find the specific bus companies servicing Spain and the rest of Europe by visiting the Muni Madrid site(in Spanish) or stopping by the Plaza Mayor tourist office.

Some major Spanish buslines (including Continental Auto, Auto-Res, La Sepulvedana, and ALSA) have their own terminals.


Flying into Madrid

Visit our Madrid budget flights section for more information on low-cost airlines flying into and out of Madrid.


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