MADRID , SPAIN
Madrid Barajas Airport
Airport Symbol: MAD
Contact Info:
Ph: 34 90 235 35 70
Website: www.aena.es
Overview: The Madrid Airport is one of the coolest airports I´ve seen. It has yellow beams and columns and arches all the way through the airport, making it look futuristic and bright. It´s located about 15 km northeast of the center.
Terminals: There are 4 Terminals (3 int’l, 1 dom). It’s huge. Terminal 4, you have to take a tram to the departure terminals. Arriving and going, you have to take the trams.
Handicap Airport Services: Again, check with your airlines and ticket counter to have airport assistance here. I would recommend it on arrival if you have never been here before. However, there are numerous information stands and the representatives wear brightly colored uniforms to distinguish themselves.
Staff: The airport staff here is excellent, as two staff members greet in the plane, take you through a somewhat windy airport with a tram connection and all the way to the baggage and to your hotel transportation. These guys didn’t even take a tip!
Money, Cash Machines ATMs: Money machines are located near the retail shops.
Bathrooms: large with handrails
Airport to City Center:
AeroCity Airport Shuttle Service – cheapest besides bus. Shared ride.
Site: http://www.aerocity.com, Ph: 900 713 583
From Terminal 1, 50 meters (150 feet) right from nearest exit from Arrivals
Lounge number 2, across the street.
Terminal 2, across the street from the nearest exit from Arrivals Lounge number 5
This service promises no more than three stops. My experience was that there was only one other couple and my stop was first.
When you arrive, you must call a toll free 900 number from a pay phone and let an agent/dispatcher know that you´ve arrived. At the pay phone, there is an English option. The dispatcher or agent talked a bit fast but there was no problem.
At Terminal 4, you have to cross the taxi street and get to the next island or platform which is for buses. Then, go to the first platform, which didn´t appear marked but it was easy to find since the platform ends with a two-three car cab port. From there, you´ll see a freeway.
The wait was approximately 10 to 15 minutes and the shuttle is blue. The driver was exceptional as he´s handled many wheelchairs before. There was no lift into this so if you´re in a motorized wheelchair, let AeroCity know in the notes section of the reservation system online or arrange another type of transportation.
Metro to Airport: Line 8, pink, from Nuevos Ministerios goes to all the terminals at the Barajas Airport. Most likely, you’ll go to Terminal 4 (for international flights). Nuevos Ministerios is a major connection station and it’s a rather large station. There are plenty of security guards there to help you find your way and help you put your luggage on the metro. Cost: 1,75 eur