---
iata: MAD
name: Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport
city: Madrid
country: Spain
lastUpdated: '2026-08-29'
officialWebsite: 'https://www.aena.es/en/adolfo-suarez-madrid-barajas.html'
sources:
  - 'https://www.aena.es/en/adolfo-suarez-madrid-barajas.html'
  - 'https://www.aena.es/en/adolfo-suarez-madrid-barajas/getting-there/taxi.html'
  - >-
    https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/spain/adolfo-suarez-madrid-barajas
  - 'https://www.esmadrid.com/en/getting-around-madrid-metro'
  - >-
    https://www.metromadrid.es/en/viaja-en-metro/tarifas/tarifas-de-transporte-publico
  - >-
    https://www.madrid.es/portales/munimadrid/es/Inicio/Movilidad-y-transportes/Taxi/
quickFacts:
  - '5 terminals: T1-T3 connected, T4 + T4S satellite for Iberia/oneworld'
  - Iberia hub with 40%+ traffic; Star Alliance and SkyTeam in T1-3
  - T4S requires shuttle or long walk from T4
  - 24/7 operations with strong Europe-LatAm connectivity
  - Best Airport in Europe (ACI >40M pax category)
  - Metro Line 8 ~€5 with €3 airport supplement; Airport Express Bus €5/~30 min
  - 'Taxi Tarifa 4: €33 fixed inside M-30 (24/7)'
bentoTips:
  - label: Timing
    title: Arrive 2.5h early for T4 international
    detail: Iberia oneworld flights cluster in T4; allow extra for T4S transfer.
    summary: >-
      Security in T4 can hit 30+ min peaks; T1-3 faster but check flight
      terminal first.
    category: timing
  - label: Terminal
    title: Confirm T4 vs T4S before security
    detail: Free inter-terminal buses run frequently; use Aena app for real-time.
    summary: >-
      T4S gates require dedicated shuttle or 15-20 min walk; no airside
      connection from T1-3.
    category: terminal
  - label: Food
    title: Eat landside or in T4 plaza pre-security
    detail: Airside selections are limited and pricier than landside options.
    summary: >-
      Airside options limited and pricier; T4 has better variety before
      screening.
    category: food
  - label: Status
    title: Star Alliance Gold or PP for T1 Cibeles
    detail: Iberia lounges in T4 often crowded; day passes ~€40-60 where available.
    summary: >-
      Cibeles (T1 non-Schengen) and Plaza Mayor (T4) are the most reliable PP
      options.
    category: status
lounges:
  - name: Cibeles VIP Lounge
    zone: non-Schengen
    hours: '00:00-23:59'
    access:
      - Priority Pass
      - Star Alliance Gold
      - Day pass available
    bestFor:
      - Non-Schengen departures
      - Long layovers
    summary: >-
      Solid PP choice in T1; consistent reviews for space and views despite
      crowds.
    verdict: worth-it
    terminal: Terminal 1
    amenities:
      - Showers
      - Terrace
      - Food & drink
  - name: Puerta del Sol Sala VIP
    zone: Schengen
    hours: '05:00-00:00'
    access:
      - Priority Pass
      - Day pass
    bestFor:
      - Schengen flights
      - Short layovers
    summary: Decent food and space; renovation needed but functional.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: Terminal 3
    amenities:
      - Showers
      - Food & drink
      - Quiet areas
  - name: Plaza Mayor VIP Lounge
    hours: '05:00-22:00'
    access:
      - Priority Pass
      - oneworld Sapphire/Emerald
      - Day pass
    bestFor:
      - Iberia/oneworld
      - Work
    summary: Popular T4 option; good for PP but can fill up—arrive early.
    verdict: worth-it
    terminal: Terminal 4
    amenities:
      - Showers
      - Food & drink
  - name: Neptuno Lounge
    hours: '05:00-22:00'
    access:
      - Priority Pass
    bestFor:
      - T4S departures
    summary: Convenient for satellite but capacity issues noted in 2024 reviews.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: Terminal 4S
    amenities:
      - Showers
      - Food & drink
waterOptions:
  - kind: purchase
    name: Heinemann duty-free
    zone: airside
    price: €1.50-2.00 for 500ml
    summary: Cheapest reliable bottled water found in T4 airside near duty-free.
    location: 'Next to Heinemann duty-free, departures hall airside'
    terminal: Terminal 4
    isBestValue: true
  - kind: refill
    name: Water fountain
    zone: airside
    price: Free
    summary: 'Clean, accessible refill spot in main T4 departures.'
    location: Opposite McDonald's near Gate K area
    terminal: Terminal 4
    isBestQuality: true
  - kind: free
    name: Lounge water stations
    zone: airside
    price: Free
    summary: Unlimited free water if you have lounge access.
    location: 'Inside Cibeles Lounge, multiple stations'
    terminal: Terminal 1
airportistScore: 7.3
slug: mad
region: Europe
---
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- [HTML page](/airports/mad)
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# Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Madrid, Spain · Europe
Solid European hub with good food and transport links but suffers from terminal sprawl and occasional security bottlenecks.
## Airportist Score

**7.3 / 10**
- Comfort: 7.2
- Navigation: 6.8
- Food: 7.5
- Transport: 8.0
- Disruption resilience: 7.0

## At a glance

- Passengers: 60M+
- Terminals: 5 (T1-T4 + T4S)
- Typical security: 20 min
- On-time: 75%
- Disruption: normal

## Best for

- Europe-LatAm connections
- oneworld/Iberia hub experience
- 24/7 transport options
- Lounge variety for PP/Star

## Watch out for

- T4/T4S split causing confusion
- Peak-hour security queues
- Airside food prices
- Metro airport supplement

## More intel

- [Lounge directory](/airports/mad/lounges.md) (free)
- [Getting there](/airports/mad/getting-there.md) (free)
- [Amenities](/airports/mad/amenities.md)
- [Traveler tips](/airports/mad/tips.md)
- [Water](/airports/mad/water.md)
- [Full guide](/airports/mad/guide.md)
- [Disruptions](/airports/mad/disruptions.md)
- [Reviews](/airports/mad/reviews.md)