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MAD

Madrid Adolfo Suárez–Barajas Airport

Madrid, Spain

Where to start
Flat-Fare Taxi / Metro Line 8

Taxis from MAD charge a fixed, regulated flat fare to anywhere in central Madrid (inside the M-30 ring), 24/7, luggage included — confirm the meter shows Tariff 4. For budget travel, Metro Line 8 or Cercanías C1/C10 both work, but all trains serve T4, so from T1/T2/T3 take the free green shuttle to T4 first. Uber, Cabify, Bolt, and FREE NOW also operate from separate designated zones.

Ride Options

Licensed Taxi

taxi

Fixed flat regulated fare anywhere inside the M-30 ring — predictable, great for groups and luggage

AvailabilityAvailable 24/7 at all terminals
Pickup NoteTaxi ranks outside all terminals (not satellite T4S). Flat regulated fare to/from central Madrid inside the M-30 — confirm the meter shows Tariff 4.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
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Metro Line 8

transit

Fast, affordable connection to central Madrid for light/solo travelers

AvailabilityFrequent service through the day and late evening
Pickup NoteStations at "Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3" and "Aeropuerto T4." Buy a reusable Multi Card plus a ticket with the airport supplement. Nuevos Ministerios in about 20 minutes.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
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Cercanías C1 / C10

transit

Budget commuter-rail link to central Madrid stations

AvailabilityRegular daytime and evening service
Pickup NoteStation at T4, Level -1, next to the Metro. From T1/T2/T3, take the free green inter-terminal shuttle to T4 first.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

Uber

rideshare

Door-to-door across Madrid and the suburbs

AvailabilityVery commonly available
Pickup NoteSeparate designated rideshare area at your terminal (T1, T2/T3, or T4) — follow the in-app pin.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
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Cabify

rideshare

Popular Spanish alternative to Uber

AvailabilityVery commonly available
Pickup NoteSeparate designated rideshare area at your terminal — follow the in-app pin.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
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Bolt

rideshare

Often a more affordable rideshare alternative

AvailabilityAvailable in Madrid
Pickup NoteSeparate designated rideshare area at your terminal — follow the in-app pin.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
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FREE NOW

rideshare

App-hailed licensed taxis through one app

AvailabilityAvailable in Madrid
Pickup NoteSeparate designated rideshare/taxi area at your terminal — follow the in-app pin.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Express Bus (Exprés Aeropuerto)

shuttle

Affordable 24-hour link to Atocha / Cibeles

AvailabilityRuns 24/7
Pickup NoteFrom all terminals to Atocha (daytime) and Plaza de Cibeles (overnight).
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer

AvailabilityAvailable at Madrid Barajas — book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Uber, Cabify, Bolt, and FREE NOW all operate, each from separate designated pickup areas at T1, T2 (shared with T3), and T4 — follow the in-app pin and signage.

Taxi

Licensed Madrid taxis wait at ranks outside all terminals (except satellite T4S). A fixed flat regulated fare applies to/from central Madrid inside the M-30 ring, 24/7, luggage included — confirm the meter shows Tariff 4 at the start.

Shuttle

The 24-hour yellow Express Bus runs to Atocha (daytime) and Plaza de Cibeles (overnight). Hotel shuttles also serve the terminals. A free 24-hour green inter-terminal shuttle connects all terminals.

Transit

Metro Line 8 runs from stations at T1-T2-T3 and T4 to Nuevos Ministerios in about 20 minutes (a small airport supplement applies). Cercanías commuter trains (C1/C10) connect to T4 only — from T1/T2/T3 take the free green shuttle to T4 first.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked transfers and meet-and-greet drivers wait in arrivals with a name sign — handy for groups or late arrivals.

Travel Extras

Need a SIM?Need a lounge?Need a hotel?Need bag storage?

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Local Tips

  • Madrid taxis charge a fixed, regulated flat fare to anywhere in central Madrid inside the M-30 ring — make sure the meter shows Tariff 4 before you set off.
  • For two or more people with luggage, the flat-fare taxi often beats the Metro once you add the airport supplement and the walk/transfer at the other end.
  • All airport trains (Metro and Cercanías) serve Terminal 4 — if you land at T1/T2/T3, take the free green inter-terminal shuttle to T4 to reach Cercanías.
  • Uber, Cabify, Bolt, and FREE NOW all operate, but from separate designated zones that differ by terminal — follow the exact in-app pin.
  • Standard big-city pickpocket awareness applies on the Metro; at the rank, refuse any driver who won't run Tariff 4 for the flat fare.

Tarmyq local tip

The flat taxi fare covers the entire central zone — for two or more people with luggage, it usually beats the Metro once you add the airport supplement and the transfer at the other end.