By plane
Madrid Barajas International Airport (IATA: MAD), is located 13km from the city center. It is one of the largest airports in Europe and is serviced by many airlines, as well as being the homebase for Iberia Airlines. The airport has 4 terminals, including Terminal 4, a new terminal that has won architectural awards, and might be worth the trip to have a look even if you are not flying.
By far the most convenient way of reaching downtown is a 24-hours express bus service that passes all terminals and then goes direct to O'Donell, Cibeles (20 minutes walk or quick metro ride toPuerta del Sol) and Atocha (main train station, not serviced between 11:30 PM and 6 AM). 5 euros. Departures every 12(day)-35(late night) minutes. Travel time Terminal 4 (end of line) - Cibeles 30-40 minutes.
The airport is also connected to the city by Cercanias commuter train (line C-1, from 05:30 to 23:30, €2.15) and Metro (line 8 pink, from 06:30 to 01:30, to/from the airport €5.00). From Terminal 4 take the commuter train (look for Renfe Cercanias) to "Nuevos Ministerios" and then transfer to line C-3 or C-4 southbound on platform 8; Sol will be the first stop. Alternatively, you can also take the Metro toNuevos Ministerios from any terminal but it will probably take a bit longer.
Public bus 200 operates between the airport and Avenida de América bus station in Madrid. It is only 2.00€ and you can use your weekly ticket or 10-trips ticket.
Public night bus N4 goes from Plaza Cibeles to Barajas district, 400m walk from the terminal through a passageway over the highway.
Night Shuttle operates a night bus between the
