Madrid: the MAD terminal, metro and onward travel
HopTrip · Reviewed
When travelling to Madrid, save not only the MAD code, but also the terminal and the address of the accommodation. A convenient connection with T4 does not have to be as simple when you arrive at T1. If you continue on the train, you need the name of a particular station, not just the "Madrid" target.

Image source and licence
Plaza Mayor de Madrid, Panorama 1.jpg
Cropped and resized by HopTrip; WebP format. This adapted photograph is shared under the same licence as the original.
Illustrative photograph, not a statement of current conditions or availability. A city view, not an airport terminal or transfer route.
Metro 8: start of the route, no access to every hotel
Madrid’s official guide lists metro line 8 between the airport and Nuevos Ministerios, serving T1–T3 and T4. Choose the onward change for your accommodation. Include leaving Arrivals and reaching the station, not just time on the metro.
Check the airport surcharge
The city guide lists a separate airport surcharge in the metro fare. Before buying, check whether the selected product includes it. Do not compare the price of the city crossing itself with the full transfer price; for several people, count all return tickets.
The railroad is at T4
The Spanish tourist portal indicates T4 as the only MAD terminal with Cercanías railway station. A transfer must be included for another terminal. Before buying a further train, check out its station, the current route of the airport railway and the changes: the names Atocha and Chamartín do not mean the same place.
Late arrival and short stay
Compare the time you leave the airport with the last transport to your hotel and its check-in arrangements. Leave room for delays and baggage collection when booking your first day’s sightseeing. During events or holidays, check accommodation and the return transfer before choosing a flight; a lower airfare does not determine the cost of the whole trip.
Check for updates before travelling
Information checked on 2026-09-24. Timetables, prices, opening hours and admission rules may change. Official sources are linked beside the relevant guide sections. Check them for your travel dates.
Ideas for your stay · Madrid
Museums and attractions
Tickets are purchased separately. Check availability for your travel dates with the seller or on the attraction’s official website.
- Museum
Prado Museum — guided tours
Explore the Prado collection on a guided tour.
Choose English or Spanish and check the meeting place.
Check the price at Tiqets
Affiliate link — we may receive a commission for a purchase.
Check dates and price
Attraction costs are not included in the flight price. Before buying, check ticket inclusions, discounts and cancellation terms. Allow for flights and transfers on travel days.
Changes to dates and travellers in your plan are not automatically passed through this link. Check the date, participants and price with the partner.