Airport Accessibility

About Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suarez Airport (MAD)

Madrid-Barajas is Spain's largest airport, located about 12 kilometers northeast of the city center. It has four main terminals: T1, T2, T3, and T4. Terminal 4 also has a satellite building called T4S, connected to T4 by an underground automated train (APM). T1, T2, and T3 are grouped together and connected internally. T4 is a separate building about 3 kilometers away.

Terminal 4, designed by architect Richard Rogers and opened in 2006, is the newest and most accessible terminal. It has wide corridors, natural light from undulating roof panels, and generous step-free circulation throughout. Most international and long-haul flights operate from T4 and T4S. Domestic and short-haul European flights typically use T1, T2, or T3.

All four terminals are barrier-free. Elevators, escalators, and moving walkways connect all levels. Automatic doors are standard at all entrances. Signage uses pictograms throughout.

Booking PRM Assistance

PRM stands for "Person with Reduced Mobility." AENA, the Spanish airport authority, manages ground assistance at Madrid-Barajas. The service is free.

Steps to arrange assistance:

1. Contact your airline when booking your flight and specify your mobility needs.
2. Request assistance at least 48 hours before departure for the best service.
3. Arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours before departure (3 hours for international flights from T4/T4S).
4. Go to the designated PRM meeting point at your terminal. These are clearly marked with the wheelchair symbol near the main entrances.

AENA PRM staff will help with check-in, security screening, moving between terminals, boarding, and baggage collection on arrival.

If you did not pre-book, press the assistance call buttons located at PRM meeting points in the arrivals and departures halls. Without advance booking, expect a wait of 20 to 45 minutes.

Accessible Facilities in the Terminals

Accessible toilets: Available throughout all terminals, marked with the international wheelchair symbol. Each has grab bars, emergency call buttons, and enough space for wheelchair turning.

Moving between T1-T3: The three terminals are connected at landside level. Walkways are step-free with moving walkways along the longer stretches.

Moving between T4 and T1-T3: A free shuttle bus runs between T4 and the T1-T2-T3 area every 5 to 10 minutes. These buses are low-floor and wheelchair accessible with a deployable ramp. The journey takes about 10 minutes.

T4 to T4S: The APM (Automated People Mover) underground train connects T4 and T4S. It is fully accessible with level boarding and wide doors. The ride takes about 4 minutes.

Seating: Priority seating areas for disabled passengers are available near gates and in waiting areas across all terminals.

Getting to Central Madrid

Several accessible transport options connect MAD airport to the city center.

Metro Line 8

Metro Line 8 runs from terminals T1-T2-T3 (Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 station) and T4 (Aeropuerto T4 station) to Nuevos Ministerios in the city center. The journey takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Trains run every 5 minutes during peak hours. Both airport stations have elevators connecting all levels. The fare is the standard metro ticket plus an airport supplement (total about 4.50 to 6 euros depending on your ticket type).

Nuevos Ministerios station has elevator access and connects to Metro Lines 6 and 10, as well as Cercanias commuter trains.

Airport Express Bus (Line 203 / Exprés Aeropuerto)

The Airport Express bus runs 24 hours a day between the airport and Atocha train station in the city center. During the day (6:00 AM to 11:30 PM), it runs to Atocha via Cibeles. At night (11:30 PM to 6:00 AM), it runs to Cibeles only. The journey takes 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic.

All Airport Express buses are low-floor with manual ramps. The driver deploys the ramp on request. Each bus has a designated wheelchair space. The fare is 5 euros. You can pay the driver directly (cash or contactless card).

Cercanias (Commuter Train)

Cercanias line C1 runs from T4 to Atocha and other stations in the city. The station at T4 is fully accessible with elevators. The journey to Atocha takes about 25 minutes. The fare is about 2.60 euros. Note that Cercanias trains only serve T4 - there is no Cercanias station at T1, T2, or T3.

Taxi

Taxis are available outside the arrivals area at all terminals. Madrid has a flat taxi rate of 30 euros from the airport to any destination within the M-30 ring road (which covers all of central Madrid). This rate applies to all taxis regardless of the time of day.

Standard Madrid taxis (white with a red diagonal stripe) are sedans. The driver will help load a folded wheelchair into the trunk, but you must transfer to the car seat. For a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, book a Eurotaxi in advance. See our Taxis guide for details.