How do I get from the airport to the city in Madrid?

Take the Metro Line 8 from either Terminal 2 or Terminal 4 directly to Nuevos Ministerios, then transfer to Lines 6 or 10 to reach most central neighborhoods. The ride runs about 25 minutes and costs a flat €5 airport supplement on top of your regular fare, so budget around €6 total with a single ticket. Alternatively, the Cercanías commuter train (Line C-1) connects Terminal 4 to Atocha and Chamartín stations for roughly €2.60, though it only serves T4, so if you land at T1, T2, or T3, you need the free inter-terminal bus first. Taxis from any terminal run a flat €33 to anywhere inside the M-30 ring road, which is regulated and posted on signage inside the arrivals hall. For groups of three or more with luggage, the cab often makes more economic sense than the Metro, particularly late at night when transfers feel slower. Both the Metro and Cercanías accept contactless bank cards directly at the validators.

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Plan a real trip there, and Trip Friend can answer every follow-up — with your dates, your style, and your places baked into the conversation.

• Where do locals actually go for aperitivo in Madrid?
• Where do locals drink coffee in Madrid?
• What does a local breakfast look like in Madrid?
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• Where can I eat after midnight in Madrid?
• Cash or card in Madrid — what do locals actually use?