How to plan your trip to Madrid airport: tips and tricks

Planning your trip to Madrid airport properly means sorting out four things in advance: which Barajas terminal you are flying from, how and when you will get there, what you need to get through security without delays and how you will get home when you land. If you have made those four decisions before the day of your flight, everything else falls into place. This guide puts them in order, from the moment you buy your ticket until you get back home.

The time of your flight determines how you will get to the airport. A very early flight may be cheaper, but the metro and Cercanías (commuter rail) do not run in the early hours and you will need a car or a taxi. One in the mid-afternoon on a weekday will coincide with rush hour on the access roads. That is no reason to rule out a flight, but it is worth bearing in mind when comparing prices.

Also look at the airline operating the flight, because the terminal depends on it. Barajas has two separate areas (T1-T2-T3 and T4), and it is worth knowing which is yours from the start; we explain how to check in which Barajas terminal do I need to go to.

This is the time to book your transfer, especially if you are flying on high-demand dates or first thing in the morning. When you book your airport taxi you choose your area and see the fixed price instantly; from inside the M-30, for example, it is €33 to any terminal, and the other areas are listed on our fares page. The fare is the same in both directions, so you can sort out the return trip too.

If you are travelling as a group or with children

For five or more passengers, or with pushchairs and bulky suitcases, ask for a 7-seater taxi so you do not have to coordinate two vehicles. If you need a child seat, say so when booking along with the child’s age and we will confirm availability.

Check the baggage included in your fare

Many airlines’ basic fares only include a small item under the seat. Check what yours allows before packing, because paying for baggage at the airport usually costs more than adding it in advance. And the golden rule still applies: less is more.

With everything booked, all that is left the day before is to check: that your flight is keeping its time and terminal, that your boarding pass is on your phone and that your documents are where they should be. For the details of the day itself, from the alarms to the countdown to your pickup time, follow our tips for getting to your flight on time; and for the personal side (insurance, adaptors, getting the house ready), see the final preparations before travelling.

• Get ready for security before the queue: liquids in small containers inside a clear bag, laptop and tablet within reach, and shoes and belt easy to take off if you are asked.
• Find your gate first: at T4, if you are boarding at the satellite, you will have to take an internal train. Once you know where it is and how long it takes, you can eat or browse the shops.
• Take a power bank and charger: your boarding pass, airline alerts and contact with whoever is picking you up all depend on your phone. Power banks always travel in the cabin.
• If you are travelling outside Europe, take a plug adaptor and check the documents your destination requires.

The part of the trip people most often forget to plan is the return, just when you arrive tired and keen to be home. You can take a taxi at the official rank at your terminal, as we explain in taxis from the airport to Madrid, or have one booked. With an airport pickup, you give us your flight number, we check the terminal and confirm the meeting point. If your flight is delayed or changes, let us know by phone or WhatsApp and we will readjust.

That completes the circle: you know how you are going, how you are coming back and how much each journey costs before you leave home.