Madrid airlines

Madrid Airport has three terminals

Terminal 1 is for most international flights.
Terminal 2 is for domestic Spanish flights plus Iberia European services to Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Luxembourg and Portugal; also Air Europa flights to France, Italy and Portugal.
Terminal 3 is for Iberia domestic shuttle and Iberia/Air Nostrum regional flights.


A brief history of Madrid Barajas Airport

There is nothing romantic about the history of Madrid's principal airport, just practicalities. In 1928 it was decided a big city needed a big airport and a piece of wasteland at Barajas, only 15 kilometres (9 miles) from central Madrid, was cleared for the job.

By the beginning of the 21st century it was handling over 34 million passengers a year and, with a projected 46.6 million a year by 2010, development is already under way. A new satellite terminal is planned and two new runways, bringing the total to four.

Barajas already has the longest runway in Europe and sees its future quite clearly as a major hub with worldwide connections. It has established the strongest links of any European airport with Central and South America.



By Car

The airport is well signed on major roads from the city.

From central Madrid and M-30 highway
Access via A-2 or via N-II (highway to Barcelona). The airport exit is 12 km (8 miles).

From the M-40 highway
Access from exit 3, via A10; from exit 9, via N-100. Both go direct to airport terminals.

The terminals are color coded on signs approaching the airport: Terminal 1 - orange; Terminal 2 - green; Terminal 3 - red.

Journey time from central Madrid is 25-30 minutes depending on traffic.


Parking at Madrid Barajas

Taxi

There are many taxi ranks in the city and cabs can also be hailed in the street. Journey time from central Madrid is around 25-30 minutes depending on traffic.

* Fare: Around ?15-?20 depending on time of day and traffic.


Train

The Madrid Metro subway service links the city with the airport. There is no direct link from the main Spanish rail network.

Using the Metro involves two transfers. From the city take Line 4 to Mar de Cristal. The airport connection is from Mar de Cristal on Line 8. Trains run daily between 6 am and 2 am.

The airport Metro station is located in Terminal 2 on the connecting corridor to Parking area 2. More information is available online.

Journey time: about 40 minutes.

* Fare: ?1.10.