Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport

How to avoid getting lost in the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport

The Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. It is the first Spanish airport in terms of passenger traffic, air cargo and number of operations. It occupies the fifth position in the ranking of airports in Europe. Due to its large size, your arrival at this airport can become a somewhat daunting experience, especially for those travelers who visit it for the first time or do not know it well. It is important to know that the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport is located in the northeast of Madrid, specifically in the Barajas district, 12 kilometers from the center of Madrid. It has four passenger terminals, an executive terminal, an air cargo center and two main hangar areas, one in the old Industrial area, between T3 and T4, and another in the Muñoza industrial area.

Tips for not getting lost at Madrid airport

In this part we are going to tell you how you can avoid getting lost in its large facilities. And arrive, without haste or stress, to the floor where the boarding gate of your next flight is. To do this, it is important to familiarize yourself with a series of tips that allow you not to get lost inside. To begin with, it is convenient to have the Madrid Barajas Airport map to know where to go and thus move around the airport much lighter. Remember that the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport has four terminals, each with its own airline control code. Before arriving at the airport, check the contents of your plane ticket and also the most important data such as the terminal number.

Having the airport map will help you identify where the different airlines are located and will save you time when moving around its facilities.

Take note of the following tips for when it's time to catch a flight

Do your Check-in online

Most airlines offer this service. So by doing the check-in before going to the airport and if you are traveling only with your hand luggage, you can go quickly to the boarding gate.

Don't forget to print or download your boarding pass on your mobile when you do the online check-in, where the barcode you will need to board will be.

Have all your documentation prepared and in order

Check before arriving at the airport that you have your passport, personal identification, tickets printed or on your mobile, vaccination card and all the data in order that they may ask you before getting on a plane.

Mentally locate the main airport facilities

When arriving at the airport from the parking lots, focus on identifying the most important point through which you must pass: the terminal. Also observe which gates appear on the screens as passenger departures or arrivals.

To leave your bags you must go to check-in

It is the area that is made up of airline counters with signs provided with letters and numbers. There they will give you your flight ticket by hand, in case you do not have it previously and they will also indicate your boarding gate.

Go through security and boarding gate

Once you leave your bags and receive the receipts to be able to pick them up at your destination, you must go through security. There they check that all your documents are in order and that you carry admitted objects inside your hand luggage.

After going through control, you must go to your boarding gate. Make sure that the letter and number are correct on a sign or screen that you will see at various points in the airport.

Advice and services about Madrid airport

The location of the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport makes its communication peculiar. Terminals T1, T2 and T3 are separated by 2 kilometers from the recent and last built terminal which is T4. Therefore, there are buses to travel them and join them.

In addition, T4 has an underground electric train service with stations that also serves to join both parts.

The airport offers the following services to its passengers:

VIP lounges: they can be used by all users with a ticket and you have to pay an entrance fee to access these lounges.
Parking (P1, P2 and P4): seven parking areas with different prices and security depending on the area.
Wifi zones: throughout T4, and in the other terminals in certain places (VIP lounges, boarding and dining areas).
Left luggage: this service works 24 hours to be able to leave your luggage safe.
Free assistance service for people with reduced mobility.
Tourist information about the country and Spanish cities such as Madrid.

Another important tip is to arrive at the airport at least three hours before the flight to check in. And also be attentive to the signs in case you have to go to one boarding area or another.

How to get by transport to the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport

Another tip to go to the Madrid airport that we recommend is to use tourist public transport passes.

The EMT buses serve terminals T1, T2 and T3 with line 101 (Canillejas), 200 (Avenida de América) and the express bus line that connects the center of Madrid with the airport.

The Madrid metro arrives at the airport, specifically line 8 has two stops: Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3, located in terminal 3, and Aeropuerto T4. This metro connects the airport with Nuevos Ministerios station.

You can also arrive by rail because an adaptation of the metro station was made and it was extended for the C1 line of Cercanías de Renfe.

Are you looking for a hotel near Madrid airport for your next trip? In that case we have two fantastic hotels that may interest you quite a lot to fully enjoy your accommodation.

Discover our hotels near the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport: