Snapshot
Barajas has four terminals. T4 is the main international hub used by Iberia, British Airways, and most oneworld carriers; T1 handles Star Alliance long-haul and some others; T2 and T3 are mostly domestic and short-haul. Metro Line 8 connects both cluster to central Madrid in under 30 minutes. Non-Schengen connecting passengers who stay in T4S (the satellite terminal) do not clear immigration. If you exit the airport, you enter Spain and Schengen rules apply.
Before your layover here
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Lounges
| Terminal |
Lounge |
Access |
Showers |
Good for |
Price (paid) |
| T4 |
Iberia Sala VIP |
Iberia business or oneworld biz/elite |
Yes |
Full buffet, bar |
N/A |
| T4S (satellite) |
Iberia Sala VIP T4S |
Iberia business or oneworld biz/elite |
Yes |
Full buffet, bar |
N/A |
| T1 |
Star Alliance Lounge |
Star Alliance biz/elite |
Yes |
Buffet, bar |
N/A |
| T4 |
Aspire Lounge |
PP / Dragon Pass / Paid |
Yes |
Hot food, bar |
About 40-55 EUR / $43-60 USD for 3h |
PP and paid walk-in is available at Aspire. Confirm which specific PP lounges are active in your terminal before heading over.
Traveler notes
- T4 and T4S connect via underground automated train, about 10 min. T1, T2, T3 are a separate cluster connected by bus or Metro Line 8 from their own stop. Know which terminal your flight uses.
- Non-Schengen transit passengers connecting at T4S can stay airside without clearing Spanish immigration.
- Metro Line 8 airport stations carry a mandatory 3 EUR supplement on top of the regular metro fare.
Sleep / Rest
- No airside sleep pods. Seating is comfortable in T4 and T4S transit zones.
- Landside hotels near T4 (Melia Barajas, Hilton Madrid Airport): accessible after clearing immigration. Practical for very long overnight layovers.
Food
- Airside T4: Enrique Tomas (Iberian ham bocadillos, the best quick food in the terminal) and Rodilla (reliable Spanish sandwiches) are both airside post-security.
- T4S satellite: More limited; Aspire Lounge buffet is the best option here for paid walk-ins.
- T1: International chains. Less variety than T4.
Showers
- Aspire Lounge T4: showers included with day pass.
- Iberia Sala VIP lounges for eligible passengers.
- No pay showers in common areas.
Luggage Storage
- Left luggage (consigna) in T1 and T4 arrivals. About 6-10 EUR per item per day; confirm rates at the desk.
Transit to City
- Metro Line 8 from T4: roughly 15 min to Nuevos Ministerios, where you can connect to any Metro line. Total fare: 4.50 EUR + 3 EUR airport supplement = 7.50 EUR. Trains every 5-7 min, 6 AM to 2 AM.
- Metro Line 8 from T1-T2-T3 stop: same pricing, slightly longer journey.
- Cercanias C-1 train from T4: about 30 min to Atocha or Chamartin, roughly 2.60 EUR. No airport supplement on Cercanias.
- Official taxi: Fixed rate applies from MAD to central Madrid, around 25-35 EUR. About 20-30 min without traffic.
- Return buffer: Leave 2.5h before departure (30 min Metro + security + Schengen exit checks if applicable).
Essentials
- Schengen rules: Most non-EU citizens need a Schengen visa to enter Spain. Passengers staying airside for a connection do not. Check your nationality requirements before travel.
- Wi-Fi: Free airport-wide.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). ATMs throughout T1 and T4. Decline DCC at machines.
- SIM/eSIM: Phone shops in T1 and T4 departures sell Spanish and EU SIMs.
- Prayer rooms: Available in T1 and T4; ask at the information desk.
Fast City Hit (6-9h)
- Metro to Sol or Gran Via (Nuevos Ministerios transfer, about 25 min total). Walk Gran Via, Retiro Park, or the Prado Museum if it fits (allow 2h for Prado). Leave 2.5h before departure.
Longer City Hit (10h+)
- Prado Museum and Reina Sofia (Guernica) with lunch in Lavapies or La Latina is a full half-day. Retiro Park is 20 min walk from Atocha station. Leave 3h before an international departure to account for re-entry security and Schengen exit checks.
