🛫 T4 + T4S — Iberia / Oneworld Flagship

Airlines: Iberia (all flights), British Airways, American, Cathay, Qatar, Royal Jordanian, JAL, S7, Finnair, Malaysia, Sri Lankan, plus all Oneworld members.

T4S: The 2,500 m² Velázquez Premium Lounge, all long-haul Iberia, all intercontinental non-Schengen. Connected by APM.

🛬 T1 + T2 + T3 — Everyone Else

T1: Air Europa, Star Alliance carriers (Lufthansa, United, ANA, Singapore, Turkish, Aegean), SkyTeam non-Iberia (Air France, KLM, Delta), Emirates. T2: Schengen Air Europa + select LCCs. T3: small regional pier.

Vibe: Older 1960s–1990s buildings, recently refurbished. T1 has the Sala VIP Cibeles Priority Pass lounge.

ETIAS Activating Q4 2026

European Travel Information and Authorisation System for visa-exempt non-EU passengers (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Japan, etc.). Online application 96 h before departure, €7, valid 3 years. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and existing Schengen visa holders do not need it. Verify activation status on the official European Commission site shortly before travel.

EU/EEA Autogates & EES

EU/EEA/Swiss passport holders aged 12+ can use the automated e-gates at T1 and T4S. EES (Entry/Exit System) rolling out late 2026 for non-EU passengers — fingerprint and face capture replace the passport stamp. First arrival adds 5–10 minutes; subsequent arrivals are noticeably faster.

Security: CT Rollout in Progress

MAD has deployed CT scanners on selected T4S and T1 fast-track lanes — liquids and laptops can stay in the bag where signage indicates. Most other lanes still run older X-ray; both come out. Check the conveyor signage at your specific lane. Allow 15–30 minutes depending on the wave.

⭐ Metro Line 8 — Direct to Nuevos Ministerios

The pink Line 8 connects all five terminals directly to Nuevos Ministerios (Line 6/10 interchange) in central Madrid. Two airport stations: Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 and Aeropuerto T4. Runs from 06:00 to 01:30, every 5–10 minutes peak.

🚆 Cercanías C-1 — €2.60 from T4 Only

The Renfe Cercanías C-1 line ONLY stops at T4 (not T1/T2/T3). €2.60 single, ~25 minutes to Madrid Atocha (the high-speed rail hub). The cheapest direct option to Madrid’s main train station — useful for onward AVE connections to Barcelona, Seville or Valencia. Runs every 30 minutes from 06:00 to midnight.

🚌 Express Aeropuerto Bus — 24/7

EMT’s yellow Express Aeropuerto bus runs 24/7 between all terminals and Atocha, every 15–35 minutes. €5 single. The right choice when the metro is closed (01:30–06:00) or your hotel is near Atocha. Buy onboard from the driver, contactless card or cash.

🚕 Government-Fixed Taxi — €33 Flat to Central Madrid

Madrid taxis charge a government-fixed €33 flat rate for any journey within the M-30 ring road (covering everything from Sol to Salamanca, Chamberí, Chueca, Retiro, etc.). White cars with red diagonal stripe and city emblem. Pay only the printed €33; no surge, no luggage surcharge, no meter run. Beyond M-30, the meter takes over.

📱 Cabify, FREENOW & Uber

All three apps work at MAD. Cabify is the dominant local platform (Spanish-founded, Latin-American expansion). FREENOW aggregates regulated taxis at the meter rate. Uber only operates Uber Black/Lux licensed-driver tiers. Typical fares €25–40 to central Madrid; surge can push Uber to €50+ at evening arrival waves.

✨ Iberia Velázquez Premium Lounge (T4S, intercontinental)

If you eat one Spanish thing at MAD, eat jamón Ibérico de bellota hand-carved at the counter. Mas Q Menos in T4 and El Quinto Pino in T4S serve the proper carved-to-order plate with manchego, a glass of Rioja, and bread. Prices match Madrid city tapas-bar rates rather than airport-premium. Skip the McDonald’s and Burger King.

A proper tortilla de patatas (potato omelette) on a bocadillo (rustic bread roll) is the Spanish breakfast and on-the-go meal. Andén 4 and 100 Montaditos serve credible versions across the airport. Pair with a cortado (small espresso with a splash of milk).

MAD’s duty-free leans hard into Spanish luxury: Loewe (LVMH-owned Spanish leather), Manolo Blahnik (shoes), Camper (footwear), El Ganso (ready-to-wear). For carry-on gifts, Spanish saffron from La Mancha (€20 for 1 g of authentic Spanish saffron — five times cheaper than at home), turrón (almond nougat, seasonal), and vacuum-sealed jamón packs that clear EU/UK customs but not US.

Spain has frequent scheduled labour strikes (huelga) affecting Iberia, Aena ground handlers, and air traffic control. They are typically announced 7–14 days in advance and concentrated around school holidays and the summer peak. Check Iberia Strike Notices and Aena travel updates before flying. Servicios mínimos bands run during peak commute hours even on strike days.

Madrid summers are brutal — 35–42 °C July–August is normal. The metro is air-conditioned, the Express Aeropuerto bus is air-conditioned, but the walk between buses and shuttles is exposed. For checked bags, the apron de-rate during a 40 °C afternoon can also delay departures. Schedule midday inbound transport via metro or pre-booked Cabify, not a kerbside taxi waiting in heat.

Iberia operates the “Puente Aéreo” Air Bridge to Barcelona with hourly departures from a dedicated T4 zone — almost no advance check-in required, walk-up boarding for Iberia Plus Gold. Different check-in counters, different security lane than the rest of T4. If you’re connecting MAD–BCN on Iberia, this is a meaningfully faster experience than booking a normal Iberia flight.

Madrid tap water is among Europe’s best — drawn from Sierra de Guadarrama mountain reservoirs. Refill at any airside washroom or drinking fountain. Don’t pay €3–4 for sealed water; the tap version is genuinely better and free.

EU roaming covers any EU-issued SIM at no extra cost. Non-EU visitors: Movistar, Orange, Vodafone and Lobster (English-language tourist SIM) have kiosks in arrivals — €15–25 for 30-day data + voice. eSIM versions activate instantly. 5G coverage is universal in Madrid.

Madrid is one of the safer Western European capitals at any hour. The Metro 8 runs to 01:30 with full CCTV; Express Aeropuerto bus runs 24/7. Cabify, FREENOW and Uber all have in-app safety features. The fixed €33 taxi from the airport rank is regulated and reliable. Avoid the unmarked “executive transfer” touts who may approach you inside arrivals.