Getting there: airport and stations
Airport, high-speed trains and buses: how to arrive and how to reach the centre.
The essentials
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport is about 13 km from the centre.
- The main railway stations are Atocha, Chamartín-Clara Campoamor and Príncipe Pío.
- Between the airport and the centre there is metro, commuter train and bus.
Madrid-Barajas Airport
- Metro: line 8 reaches terminals T1-T2-T3 and T4. An airport supplement is charged.
- Commuter train C-1: reaches T4.
- Express bus: line 203 links the airport with Atocha, 24 hours a day.
- Taxi: there is a fixed fare to the centre; confirm it at the airport.
Official information: aena.es.
Railway stations
Atocha
High-speed departures to the south, the Mediterranean coast and Barcelona. It has metro (line 1) and commuter trains. Its tropical garden under the roof is a sight in itself.
Chamartín-Clara Campoamor
High-speed departures to the north. Metro lines 1 and 10.
Príncipe Pío
A commuter train and intercity bus station in the Parque del Oeste. Metro 6, 10 and R.
Book tickets at Renfe.
Long-distance buses
The Estación Sur bus station (Méndez Álvaro) and the Moncloa and Plaza de Castilla terminals bring together regional and intercity services.
By car
The central area has access restrictions for polluting vehicles (Low Emission Zone). Check the current rules on the city council's website before driving in.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
By metro (line 8 with a change), by commuter train C-1 to T4, by express bus 203 to Atocha or by taxi.