Are you about to reach Madrid soon and you don’t have any rough idea about how to reach the city centre? No worries, we got you! If you’re travelling by car, train or airplane you’ll find here some useful tips about how to reach the centre of Madrid.

In case you don’t know, since Puerta del Sol square is right in the heart of Madrid, Sol, Gran Vía and Callao metro stops are considered the main ones in Madrid, when it comes to pointing out the geographical centre of the city. Therefore, our tips refer to this area that also happens to be extremely close to our office in Gran Vía!

From Barajas airport to the centre of Madrid

Dated back to 1928, Adolfo Suárez Madrid - Barajas is the most important airport in Madrid, where all the international flights land. It also established itself as one of the major hubs in Europe, counting around 60 milions passengers every year!

Oh, also a little cultural interesting fact: the Terminal 4 at Barajas airport is an amazing architectural project designed by the famous Richard Rogers with the aim of improving the travellers experience creating a unique, peaceful and attractive atmosphere, by using lights, new eco-materials and smooth lines.

Well, let’s go back to our journey to the centre of Madrid!

Once you collect your luggage and leave the arrivals area, you’ll find several ways to reach the centre of Madrid: by taxi or uber, metro and airport express bus.

Travel with comfort: taxi and Uber

If you’re alone with many bags or you’re just feeling tired and you want some time to relax before your move in the new apartment in Madrid, our tip is to take a taxi or an Uber ride to reach the centre of Madrid.

Since the airport is quite close to the city centre (around 17 kilometres), the taxi fee is 30€...not that bad! Just to let you know that this rate is given by law to all the passengers that want to reach central Madrid (every point inside de M-30 highway), therefore you don’t have to negotiate any price. And this also is valid on the other way round, whenever you have to reach the airport from the city centre.

If you feel fancy and want to take an Uber, the price range may vary around 30-36€ depending on the terminal you are leaving. Read more in Citylife's guide to Madrid Airport Transportation Options and Discounts.

Take the “Metro de Madrid” subway

You probably won’t expect it but Madrid actually has one of the best public transport networks in Europe. Its underground system is made of 12 metro lines that take you anywhere. You can easily reach the centre of Madrid from Barajas airport in less than 50 minutes, only making a few connections. 

All you have to know is that the metro fee for journeys from the airport has a supplement of 6€. You can calculate your journey and see all the changes here, on the Metro de Madrid website.

Airport Express Bus

If you land in the terminals 1, 2 and 4 you have the possibility to use the Airport Express bus service, costing 5 or 6€ - that you can pay straight on board, to the bus driver - and running every 15 or 20 minutes. This bus will take you straight to the main train station in Madrid: Atocha Renfe station, or to Plaza de Cibeles if you have a night landing around 11pm and 6am.

Once you arrive at the stations, you can take the metro to reach the centre of Madrid and getting off on: Sol (line 1,2,3), Callao (line 3), Gran Vía (which is closed for renovation works), Chueca (line 5)

Reaching the centre of Madrid by car

“Madrid Central” is a low-emission area which started being active in November 2018. In this specific area you won’t find any free circulation streets (except for a few roads). Beside the access to residents and people with special permissions, it is only allowed:

• For vehicles with the 0 Emissions environmental label to access and park in the SER zone without time restrictions.
• For vehicles with the ECO environmental label to access and park in the SER area during regulated hours for a maximum of 2 hours.
• For vehicles with the environmental label C or B to only get to park in a public parking, private garage or unassigned parking space.

Schedule of the SER, Servicio de Estacionamiento Regulado (Regulated Parking Service) in Madrid

- Monday to Friday (not festive days): from 9 am to 9 pm.

- Saturdays: from 9 am to 3 pm.

- August (Monday to Saturday, not public holidays): from 9 am to 3 pm.

- December 24th and 31st: from 9 am to 3 pm.

- Sundays and public holidays: No service.

For more detailed information about the access to “Madrid Central” you can have a look at the official website of Ayuntamiento de Madrid.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Madrid!