How Far is Madrid Airport From the City?
Introduction
This is our guide to how far Madrid Airport is from the centre of the city. If you’re a first time visitor to Madrid or a frequent traveler in Madrid, you must know the distance between airport and the city.
Madrid Airport Locations
Madrid has two major airports:
- Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD): NE of the city, this is the main international airport serving Madrid.
- Mainly for general aviation, Madrid-Cuatro Vientos Airport (LECU): Southwest of the city.
Distance from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport to the City Center
The city center is around 13 kilometers (8 miles) northeast of the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.
Transportation Options
You have a couple of transport options to get into the city center.
- Metro
The most convenient and cheapest way to get here is by metro. The journey takes around 30 mins from the airport to the city center and line 8 connects the airport to the city center. The operating hours of Madrid metro is from 6:00 AM to 1:30 AM. Please note that the metro will be checked if you arrive or depart during off peak hours.
- Train
The other is to use the suburban train service, Cercanías. Atocha, Nuevos Ministerios and Chamartín stations in the city are connected from the airport through Line C-1. Trains between these two stations start from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM and the journey duration is around 25 minutes.
- Bus
The airport is served by several buses that take you to the city center. The fastest and most convenient one is the Express Bus, which is labelled as Exprés Aeropuerto. It is running 24 hours a day and takes around 40 minutes to get through to the city center. The route is also served by regular public buses such as line 101, which stops more frequently.
- Taxi
Outside each terminal, taxis are readily available for a more direct and private mode of transport. It usually takes 20-30 minutes on a journey. Madrid’s taxis are generally safe, legal and metered.
- Car Rental
Car rental services are available at the airport for those who prefer to have their own wheels. The road directions to the city center are straightforward with good roads, great road signage. But you must bear in mind there are traffic restrictions in the city center.
Distance from Madrid-Cuatro Vientos Airport to the City Center
Just 8 kilometers (5 miles) southwest from the city center, the Madrid-Cuatro Vientos Airport is.
Transportation Options
Taking into account its closeness to the city center, the way to get to and from Madrid-Cuatro Vientos Airport is comparable to that of the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.
- Metro & Bus Combination
If you take the metro line 10, the station to reach is Príncipe Pío station. From there, head to the city center using bus lines 25, 33 or 39.
- Taxi
Outside the airport terminals there are taxis available to offer a convenient and direct trip to the city center.
Summary
Finally, the distance from Madrid Airport to the downtown of the city depends on to which airport you arrived at. It is around 13 kilometers (8 miles) northeast of the city for Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport and 8 kilometers (5 miles) southwest of the city for Madrid-Cuatro Vientos Airport. There are various transportation options from which to choose and you can select the most acceptable one according to your personal taste and budget. Plan your journey to Madrid to be sure to check the schedules and take advantage of your visit in Madrid!
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