If you are arriving from t1, t2 or t3, go outside and take the free airport shuttle bus (the green coloured bus) to t4 (about 10 minutes).Īs mentioned by laura, the cercanias train (as operated by renfe) and the metro-bus (as operated by emt madrid) are two entirely different companies. You can either get off at chamartin or nuevos ministerios station and transfer to c3 or c4 to sol. To take the cercanias you will go downstair at t4 and pay 2.60€ to go to sol. With the cercanias you do not have to pay the 3€ supplement every time you take the metro to and from the airport. So when a couple of years later, I had to fly again from Madrid, I decided to document the journey to aid future travellers, which you will find below as a step-by-step guide to getting to Madrid airport by public transport.If you want to save money it is better to take the cercanias out of t4. However, if you prefer a private transfer to the airport, click here to view rates and availability. And I don’t know how your experience with taxi drivers is, especially abroad when you don’t speak the language (fluently), but let’s say that, again, in general, taxi drivers rank lower than second-hand salespeople in my trustworthiness list.

It is also a lot more expensive, from 30 euros upwards. Yes, I could have gotten a cab to the airport, but traffic jams are a real issue, especially during the day, which might cause delays. Also, Madrid-Barajas Airport and Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport are the largest airports in Europe by physical size.Īll in all, this made me a bit uptight about the journey. Furthermore, the metro and bus stations are on the same premises.

But also that Atocha, the central railway station in Madrid, is colossal with different types of trains arriving from all over Spain.

I knew that with a Renfe ticket for the AVE, one can travel to the airport for free with the Cercanias (short-distance train). Travel for free with the short-distance train to the airport

From madrid airport to city center