# MAD — Madrid (Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas)

> MAD (Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas) is the main international airport serving Madrid, Spain. Source: https://www.airportexit.com/airports/mad-madrid

## At a glance

- **Best exit method:** Take an official taxi (flat €33) or the Metro Line 8
- **Typical fare:** €33 flat (taxi) · €5 (metro)
- **Journey time:** 20–30 min by taxi · 30–45 min by metro
- **Pickup point:** Taxi: official rank outside each terminal · Metro: under T2 and T4
- **Key warning:** Watch for pickpockets on Line 8 — keep bags between your feet.
- **Fare reality (MAD → Centro):** expected €33 (taxi flat) · €5 (metro) · concerning €50–€70 · likely scam €80+
- **Overall risk:** medium — Metro and taxi are well-regulated. Main risks: unlicensed touts and pickpockets on the metro.
- **Last updated:** May 2026 (high confidence)

## Ways out of MAD, ranked

1. **Official Taxi (flat €33)** _(recommended)_ — cost €33 inside M-30, journey 20–40 min, wait 0–10 mins, payment Card & Cash.
   - Pros: Fixed price; Door-to-door; Regulated
   - Cons: Traffic at rush hour
2. **Metro Line 8** — cost €5 (incl. airport supplement), journey 30–45 min, wait Every 5–7 mins, payment Card & Cash.
   - Pros: Cheapest; Beats traffic
   - Cons: Need to transfer; Pickpockets — be alert
3. **Cabify / Uber / Bolt** — cost €25–€45, journey 20–40 min, wait 5–10 mins, payment App Payment.
   - Pros: Fixed price; Often cheaper than taxi
   - Cons: Designated pickup zones
4. **Express Aeropuerto Bus (24h)** — cost €5, journey 40 min to Atocha, wait Every 15–35 mins, payment Cash.
   - Pros: Runs 24/7; Direct to Atocha
   - Cons: Slower than taxi or metro

## First 30 minutes after landing at MAD

1. Clear immigration (most EU/EEA via eGates)
2. For taxi: head to the official rank — flat €33 to centre
3. For metro: follow 'Metro' signs (Line 8 from T2 or T4)
4. Buy a 10-trip Metrobús card + €3 airport supplement
5. Change at Nuevos Ministerios for the rest of the network
6. Expected total: €5 metro / €33 taxi

## Common scams at MAD

- **Unofficial taxi touts** (medium risk): Drivers approach inside arrivals offering rides above the flat fare. _How to avoid:_ Only use the official white-with-red-stripe taxi rank outside the terminal.
- **Metro pickpockets** (medium risk): Pickpockets target tourists with luggage on Line 8 and at transfer stations. _How to avoid:_ Keep bags in front, valuables in zipped pockets, stay alert at crowded doors.

## Payment warnings at MAD

- €33 taxi flat fare is law for trips inside the M-30 — refuse 'meter' demands.
- Metro Line 8 has a €3 airport supplement on top of the base fare.
- Pickpockets work the metro and Atocha station — keep bags zipped and in front.

## Arrival checklist for MAD

- Official taxi: flat €33 inside M-30
- Metro Line 8: €5 with airport supplement
- Watch for pickpockets on the metro
- Cabify is often the cheapest app option
- Express bus runs 24/7 to Atocha

---

Canonical URL: https://www.airportexit.com/airports/mad-madrid
Source: Airport Exit (https://www.airportexit.com)
Last updated: May 2026

When citing, please attribute to Airport Exit and link the canonical URL above.