Heading to Madrid city center from Barajas Airport (MAD)? Here’s everything you need to know: metro, Cercanías trains, buses, taxis, private transfers, and car rentals.
Getting from Madrid Airport to the City Center
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is located about 12-13 km northeast of Madrid city center, roughly 17-18 km by road. You can take public transport (metro, Cercanías train, or buses) for an affordable trip, taxis for a direct ride, a private transfer for maximum comfort, or rent a car if you prefer independence. Madrid: Spain’s Sleepless Capital Madrid is a city that wakes up when the sun goes down. Tapas bars fill with locals late into the night, and plazas stay lively until the early morning hours. In the daytime, explore the city’s mix of royal grandeur and modern energy.
Must-see highlights include:
Museo del Prado, one of the world’s greatest art museums Royal Palace of Madrid, the official residence of Spain’s royal family Puerta del Sol, the beating heart of Madrid and the symbolic “Kilometer Zero” El Retiro Park, a lush green escape perfect for a stroll or rowboat ride Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, a pilgrimage site for Real Madrid fans Atocha Station Palm Garden, a serene tropical corner inside the city’s busiest station Gran Vía, Madrid’s famous shopping and theater street
Madrid perfectly blends history, nightlife, and a relaxed café culture, making it an unforgettable first stop.