Madrid Airport Mini Guide
MAD for Madrid
Madrid-Barajas International Airport (abbreviated MAD) is just outside Madrid's city limits and has metamorphosed into one of Europe's key airports. It is simply massive and offers a huge variety of routes, facilities and services for holiday-makers and business-travellers alike. The airport was voted the world's best in 2008 and now a lease for the next forty years has been put out for tender.
Busy, Busy, Busy
This airport is one of the top 5 busiest in Europe and is within the top 12 busiest airports of the world. It is a main hub for national Iberian Airways and hub for several European carriers. Madrid welcomes an average of 45 million passengers per year, arriving from an array of worldwide destinations, with one of 80 passenger airlines. It provides vital connections to and from Latin America.
Onward Routes Galore
Whether you are venturing into historic Madrid, visiting the financial district for business, or touring further into Spain and beyond, you are spoilt for choice of how to travel. For comfort and convenience car hire is an excellent choice. If you have hired through Rhino, collect your vehicle from one of several points in this vast airport (confirmed upon booking) and away you go.
Public transport is excellent, including rail, bus routes and taxis. Then of course there are numerous onward national and international flights. The most popular is the Madrid-Barcelona Puente Aero shuttle. This is one of the busiest air routes in Europe, with a slightly informal approach bearing similarities to catching a bus. If you prefer to stay on terra firma, the high-speed railway goes from Madrid to
Barcelona and there are future plans for high-speed trains to reach the airport station.
There are several routes into central Madrid: by rail, take Metro Line 8 which connects the airport and city centre, with links to other stations in the Spanish railway network. Local buses run a regular schedule between the airport and city, including an express bus to and from the main rail station. There is a huge list of available long-distance routes and the night bus ("Buho" or Owl) which stops a few hundred metres outside the airport.
Designed for the Masses
At Madrid there are four terminals and four runways. Facilities have been designed for up to 70 million passengers, so there is still plenty of room for manoeuvre! Money-wise there are exchange and banking services, a Post Office and ATMs. Spend quiet time in the chapel, take advantage of the nursery for little ones and enjoy the convenience of several service stations. Conference and meeting facilities are available and there are several lounges for VIPs.
Shop 'til you Drop and Make Your Taste Buds Tingle
Shopaholics are in danger of exceeding their baggage allowance with more than 100 shops offering clothes and accessories, gifts and jewellery, cosmetics and perfumes and so much more! Whether you want a quick drink, a full-on gastronomic treat, or a last fix of tasty tapas, with over 30 eating establishments to choose from you are sure to find anything that your taste buds desire.
Passengers with Reduced Mobility
A free assistance service is available at 48 hours notice; with a direct phone number and website. You will be asked to attend a meeting point where, depending on your level of mobility, appropriate support will start. Facilities are excellent and include adapted equipment.