Quick answer
There are three easy ways to reach the centre from the airport: the Metro (line 8, with a €3 airport supplement on top of the ticket), the Exprés Aeropuerto 203 bus (flat €5, 24 hours, stops at Atocha and Cibeles) and a taxi, with a fixed €33 fare to any address inside the M-30 ring road.
Quick comparison: Metro, Exprés Aeropuerto and taxi
| Option | Price | Hours | Best if… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro line 8 | Ticket + €3 airport supplement | 6:00 am to 1:30 am | You are heading to Nuevos Ministerios or want to change to other lines |
| Exprés Aeropuerto (203) | Flat €5 | 24 hours | Your hotel is near Atocha or Cibeles, or you land overnight |
| Taxi (fare 4) | Fixed €33 inside the M-30 | 24 hours | You travel as a group, with lots of luggage or want no transfers |
Prices and hours checked on 18 October 2026 on the EMT, Aena and Metro de Madrid websites. If anything differs on your travel day, the official website wins.
Metro: line 8 from the airport
The Metro reaches the terminals through two line 8 stations: Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 and Aeropuerto T4. To enter or leave there with a single or 10-trip ticket you pay an airport supplement of €3 per person. The line runs from 6:00 am to 1:30 am every day of the year.
Line 8 ends at Nuevos Ministerios, where you can change to lines 6 and 10 and to Cercanías commuter trains. If your hotel is in the historic centre, expect at least one change.
Exprés Aeropuerto (line 203): €5 to Atocha and Cibeles
This EMT bus links the airport and the centre with stops only at Atocha and Cibeles. It has a single fare of €5 and runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
- Stops: Atocha (with Metro line 1), Plaza de Cibeles (with Metro line 2) and terminals T1, T2 and T4.
- Frequency: every 15-20 minutes by day and every 35 minutes at night.
- Journey time from Atocha: about 30 minutes to T1, 35 to T2 and 40 to T4 in normal traffic.
- Payment: cash to the driver (maximum change €20), bank card or mobile phone.
Taxi: fixed €33 if you are going inside the M-30
Trips between the airport and any point inside the M-30 ring road have a fixed fare of €33, 24 hours a day, with no surcharge for night, holidays or luggage. It applies in both directions.
- Take a taxi at the ranks on floor 0 (arrivals) of terminals T1, T2 and T4.
- Official taxis are white with a red stripe and the Madrid coat of arms on the doors.
- Do not accept offers from people who approach you inside the terminal.
- If your destination is outside the M-30, the meter applies: check the driver starts it at the beginning.
- Always ask for a receipt.
Once you are in Madrid: start with the best
Drop your bags, freshen up, and make your first afternoon the one you see the city at an easy pace. A private electric tuk tuk takes you past the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Retiro Park or the Bernabéu, with a driver-guide who tells you about every stop. We have tours from 1 hour to a full day, for up to 6 people per vehicle, starting at Puerta del Sol (Metro Sol) or picking you up at your hotel.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way from Madrid airport to the city centre?
The Exprés Aeropuerto bus costs a flat €5. The Metro adds a €3 supplement to the ticket, so the cost depends on your journey. For a group, the €33 taxi can cost the same or less per person.
How much is a taxi from Madrid airport to the centre?
A fixed €33 if your destination is inside the M-30, 24 hours a day, with no supplements.
Is there transport from the airport overnight?
Yes. The Exprés Aeropuerto runs 24 hours and so do taxis. The Metro closes at 1:30 am.
Which terminals does the Exprés Aeropuerto serve?
Terminals T1, T2 and T4. Its city stops are Atocha and Cibeles.
Sources
- EMT Madrid: Exprés Aeropuerto
- Aena: taxi at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport
- Metro de Madrid: airport supplement
Facts and prices checked on 18 October 2026. They can change: confirm them with the official source before you travel.