Trains to and from Madrid Airport
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (often known as Madrid-Barajas Airport or simply as Madrid Airport) is Spain’s busiest international airport, with millions of passengers arriving and departing each year. The airport is located roughly 8 miles from the center of Madrid.
If you're flying to or from Madrid, there’s a good chance you’ll need to travel to or from Madrid Airport. Don’t worry – it's easy to get there using public transport.
Read on to learn more about buying Madrid Airport train tickets, timetables, and possible connections.
What's in this guide?
- I’m traveling from Madrid Airport to Madrid city center
- Where should I travel next after Madrid?
- I’m traveling from Madrid city center to Madrid Airport
- I’m traveling from Madrid Airport to another Spanish destination
- How to buy train tickets at the airport or train station
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to get from Madrid Airport to Madrid by train
Trains from Madrid Airport
To transfer from Madrid Airport to the city center, you can take a Renfe Cercanías train. There are two train services that run from the airport to central Madrid: line C1 and line C10. These trains operate every day of the week, from 6:00 am to midnight.
C1 and C10 trains both begin at the airport and take the same route from the airport to central Madrid as far as Méndez Álvaro train station. This means you can get on either train to travel into Madrid city center.
The train route includes stops at Madrid Atocha and Madrid Chamartín train stations, as well as Nuevos Ministerios station. These stations all have connections with Madrid’s metro system.
Traveling from Terminals 1, 2 and 3
If you’re flying into Terminal 1 or 2, you’ll need to get the free shuttle bus from your terminal to Terminal 4, where the train station is located. Then, follow the signs to the train station.
If you’re flying into Terminal 3, you’ll need to go to Terminal 2 and then catch the free shuttle bus to Terminal 4. Follow the signs in Terminal 4 towards the airport’s train station.
Traveling from Terminal 4 or Terminal 4S
Flying into Terminal 4? You’re in luck. Madrid Airport’s train station is located at Terminal 4, so all you need to do to find it is follow the signs to the station. They’ll be marked with a Renfe logo, as well as the Cercanías train symbol.
Head from Terminal 4S to Terminal 4 using the automated people mover between these two terminals. From Terminal 4, follow the signs to the train station.
Where should I travel next after Madrid?
Make your way to Barcelona
If you’d like to see even more of what Spain has to offer, why not head from its capital to the beaches of Barcelona? It’s quick and easy to travel from Madrid to Barcelona by high-speed train – the shortest journeys can take just 2 hours and 30 minutes!
There are four operators on this route: AVE, Avlo, OUIGO Spain and iryo. It’s worth comparing what each operator offers, as well as times and prices, so that you can find the best tickets for you. You can use our Journey Planner to find out more.
Need some travel inspiration? Check out our ideas for what to do on a 3-day trip to Barcelona, as well as where to find Barcelona’s best paella.
Speed away to Seville
Fancy heading south? Why not hop on a train from Madrid to Seville?
The journey can take just two and a half hours on the fastest AVE services – or if you’re looking for a low-cost option, Avlo services run on this route too.
Check out our Seville city guide for ideas on what to do while you’re there or, if you’re already thinking about booking travel, take a look at our detailed article on the best way to get from Madrid to Seville.
Head to Marseille
Yes, it’s true! You can travel by train from Spain to France – go direct from city center to city center when you travel from Madrid to Marseille with Renfe. There’s a direct train which only takes 8 hours to whisk you from Spain’s capital to the south of France.
Check out our guide on the best things to do in Marseille, France for more travel inspiration.
How to get from Madrid city center to Madrid Airport by train
Trains to Madrid Airport
To get to Madrid Airport from the center of Madrid by train, you can use local Cercanías services.
Lines C1 and C10 run from central train stations such as Madrid Atocha and Madrid Chamartín to the airport. Both lines have the same route from Madrid Atocha onward, so you can take whichever train turns up first. These Cercanías trains operate every day of the week, from around 6:00 am to midnight.
Traveling to Terminals 1, 2 and 3
If you’re flying from Terminals 1, 2 or 3, you’ll need to get the free shuttle bus from Terminal 4 to the correct terminal for your flight. From the airport’s train station, head to the terminal itself and look for signs for the shuttle bus.
Traveling to Terminal 4 or Terminal 4S
Flying from Terminal 4? You’re in luck. Madrid Airport’s train station is located at Terminal 4, so all you need to do to find it once the train has arrived is exit the train station.
You may be flying from Terminal 4S, which is a satellite terminal. Head to Terminal 4, and you’ll find an automated people mover operating 24 hours a day between these terminals.
How to get from Madrid Airport to other Spanish destinations by train
How to get from Madrid Airport to Barcelona
Although you can’t get a direct train from the airport to Barcelona, it’s still easy to travel from Madrid Airport to Barcelona in a couple of steps:
- Take a Cercanías C1 or C10 train from Madrid-Barajas Airport to Madrid Atocha station.
- Catch a high-speed train from Madrid Atocha train station to Barcelona Sants station.
If you buy a ticket for an AVE or iryo high-speed train between Madrid and Barcelona, your trip on a Cercanías train from the airport to Madrid Atocha station will be included in the price! This is called the Combinado Cercanías ticket.
To take advantage of this ticket, you’ll need to find a ticket machine at the airport train station and input the 5-digit code on your ticket to get your Combinado Cercanías ticket.
What’s more, our Journey Planner will highlight which tickets from Madrid to Barcelona include a Cercanías trip, so they’re easy to find.
How to get from Madrid Airport to Valencia
Whether you’re a foodie interested in the Mediterranean flavors on offer at Valencia’s Mercado Central (Central Market), or you’d rather spend your time outside in Valencia’s parks or on its beaches, there’s something for everyone in this city.
On an AVE or OUIGO Spain train, you can travel speedily from Madrid to Valencia – the journey takes under 2 hours on the fastest services! First, though, you’ll have to get from Madrid Airport to the center of Madrid.
- Take a Cercanías C1 or C10 train from Madrid-Barajas Airport to either Madrid Atocha or Madrid Chamartín station.
- Catch a high-speed train from the train station to Valencia Joaquín Sorolla train station.
Check whether your high-speed train departs from Madrid Atocha or Madrid Chamartín - we have this information ready for you in our Journey Planner, and it’ll be stated on your ticket too.
If you buy a ticket for an AVE high-speed train between Madrid and Valencia, your trip on a Cercanías train from the airport to Madrid Atocha station will be included in the price. OUIGO tickets do not include Cercanías transport.
How to buy Madrid Airport train tickets at the station
Buying train tickets at Madrid Airport
To buy tickets for local Cercanías trains at Madrid Airport, you can use automated ticket machines. You’ll find these in the airport train station, located at Terminal 4.
If you’ve landed at another terminal, you can take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 4 and follow signs to the train station, where you’ll find the ticket machines.
Remember: if you’re taking a high-speed train from Madrid Atocha or Madrid Chamartín, your travel from the airport to your chosen train station is free with your train ticket!
You’ll need to collect your Combinado Cercanías ticket from the ticket machine by inputting the 5-digit code from your ticket into an automated ticket machine. Your transfer from the airport to the train station must be made no earlier than 4 hours before your high-speed train is due to depart.
Buying train tickets from Madrid city center
To buy tickets for local Cercanías trains when you’re in central Madrid, you can use automated ticket machines. You’ll find these in all train stations, including Madrid Atocha and Madrid Chamartín.