Madrid Barajas has some of the most straightforward airport transport pricing in Europe, thanks to the fixed taxi rate and cheap public transport.
The short answer
Cheapest: 4.50-6 € by Metro. Best value: 5 € Airport Express Bus. Most convenient: 33 € fixed-rate taxi.
Full price breakdown
| Transport | Cost | Time | Door-to-door? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro (Line 8) | 4.50-6 € (incl. supplement) | 30-40 min | No — need connections |
| Airport Express Bus | 5 € | 25-40 min | No — Atocha or Cibeles |
| Taxi (within M-30) | 33 € flat (Tariff 4) | 20-30 min | Yes |
| Taxi (outside M-30) | Metered, 22 € minimum (Tariff 3) | 25-45 min | Yes |
| Uber/Cabify | Dynamic — check the app | 20-35 min | Yes |
| Pre-booked transfer | Set by the provider | 20-30 min | Yes |
Fixed-price private transfer
MAD Madrid Downtown
From€56for 2 passengers
4 passengers: €58 per vehicle, about €15 per person
- Fixed price, no meter
- Flight tracked
- 60 min free waiting
- Driver meets you at arrivals
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
Other destinations
The Metro, bus and taxi figures above are the published tariffs (Metro de Madrid, EMT Madrid and the Ayuntamiento de Madrid). Ride-hailing and transfer prices are set by each company, so they are not fares anyone publishes in advance.
Why the 33 € taxi rate is brilliant
Madrid's fixed airport taxi fare — Tariff 4, 33 €, set by the Ayuntamiento de Madrid and in force since 1 January 2026 — is one of the most transparent deals in European airport transport. Here's why:
- Covers almost everywhere you'd want to go: Sol, Gran Vía, Salamanca, Malasaña, La Latina, Retiro, Chueca, Chamberí, Atocha — all within the M-30 ring.
- No meter anxiety: The price is set by the city and posted on the taxi window. No exceptions.
- No surcharges: The 33 € includes everything — the tariff expressly takes no supplement for luggage, night, weekends, or holidays.
- One price for the car: Up to four passengers travel for the same 33 €, which is what makes it work for families and groups.
The council reviews its taxi tariffs most years, so check the current figure before you travel.
When the 33 € rate doesn't apply
If your destination is outside the M-30 ring road, the meter applies instead of the flat rate. This affects:
- Hotels near the airport (IFEMA, Campo de las Naciones) — short, but a 22 € minimum fare (Tariff 3) applies to airport trips under 9 km that end outside the M-30, so they are not as cheap as the distance suggests
- Outer neighborhoods (Tres Cantos, Alcobendas, Getafe) — metered, no fixed rate
- Other cities (Toledo, Segovia) — metered long-distance; agree the fare with the driver before setting off
Metro costs explained
The Metro from the airport costs more than a regular metro ride:
- Regular Metro ticket: 1.50-2.00 €
- Airport supplement: 3.00 €
- Total per trip: 4.50-5.00 €
You can buy a 10-trip Metrobús card for 7.30 € if you're staying in Madrid and will use the metro often, but the airport supplement is extra on any journey through an airport station.
Hidden costs
- Airport Express Bus: 5 € exact fare. You can pay by card (contactless) now, which is convenient.
- Metro luggage: Free, but you're carrying it yourself through stations with variable elevator availability.
- Taxi tips: Not expected or customary in Madrid taxis. Round up small amounts if you want, but 33 € means 33 €.
- Cabify/Uber surge: These apps price dynamically and can exceed the fixed taxi rate at busy times. Check the app before committing.
Money-saving tips
- For 1 person: Airport Express Bus (5 €) is the cheapest convenient option.
- For 2+ people: The 33 € taxi is one price for the car and saves 20+ minutes, though the Metro is still cheaper per head.
- Buy a Tourist Travel Pass (Madrid Tourist Card) if you'll use public transport a lot during your stay. It covers the metro including the airport supplement.
- Cabify vs Uber: Compare both apps — prices vary at different times, and can be under or over the fixed taxi rate.
When a private transfer from MAD is the right choice
- Three or more people: a 4-seat car to Madrid Downtown is from €58, about €15 per person, usually level with or below separate public-transport tickets once you count the walk, the wait and the last mile with bags.
- Going to a specific address rather than the main station: the car goes to the door, so the public-transport fare is not the whole cost of the trip.
- Arriving tired or late: the driver waits at arrivals with your name, included for 60 minutes after landing.
MAD → Madrid Downtown from €56Fixed price, flight tracked, free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup.