Madrid Airport Map & Terminal Guide 2026

Madrid Airport Map

The Madrid Airport map below covers the full layout of Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD/LEMD). MAD handled 68.1 million passengers in 2025, making it Spain’s busiest airport and the fifth busiest in Europe. It is the primary European hub for the oneworld alliance, with Iberia accounting for over 40 percent of total traffic and operating an unrivalled network of routes between Europe and Latin America.

The key thing to understand from the Madrid Airport map is that the five terminals operate as two physically separate complexes. T1, T2 and T3 sit together on the south side of the airport and are connected by walkways landside. T4 and its satellite T4S are located around 3 kilometres to the north and are not connected to T1/T2/T3 airside. A free inter-terminal shuttle bus and Metro Line 8 link both complexes. Study the MAD airport map before you travel so you know which terminal your airline uses.

Madrid Airport Location Map

Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport sits within the city limits of Madrid, approximately 9 kilometres from the financial district and 13 kilometres northeast of Puerta del Sol, the historic centre. It is one of the few major European airports that sits inside the city it serves rather than on the periphery. The Madrid Airport location map below shows its position relative to the city and the main road access routes.

Madrid Airport Terminals

Understanding the two-complex layout is the single most important thing when navigating Madrid Airport. T1, T2 and T3 share a cluster of buildings connected landside by covered walkways, a short walk from one to the next. T4 and T4S are an entirely separate complex to the north, reachable only by shuttle bus, metro or train. There is no airside connection between the two complexes, so a terminal transfer always requires exiting the secure zone and re-clearing security at the other end.

Madrid Airport Terminal 1 (T1)

T1 is the busiest terminal in the T1/T2/T3 complex and the primary home for low-cost carriers and a large number of international scheduled airlines. It handles a broad mix of non-Schengen international arrivals and departures alongside Schengen routes operated by SkyTeam and Star Alliance members. The South Dock (Dique Sur) is integrated into T1 and expands the boarding gate capacity. Check-in is on Level 1, arrivals and baggage reclaim on the ground floor.

Madrid Airport Terminal 2 (T2)

T2 is the oldest operating terminal at Madrid Airport, originally constructed in 1954. It primarily serves Air Europa on Schengen routes and handles some domestic and intercontinental flights. The Metro Line 8 station for the T1/T2/T3 complex is located inside T2 on Level 1, making it the public transport hub for this side of the airport. Boarding gates are in areas C and D across Levels 0 and 1.

Madrid Airport Terminal 3 (T3)

T3 occupies the North Dock (Dique Norte), originally built as an extension of T2. In practice it functions as an auxiliary space rather than a fully independent terminal. Its check-in area is currently not in operation, and the boarding gates and baggage claim carousels for passengers nominally assigned to T3 are actually located within T2 premises. T3 is connected to T2 at ground level and via a second passage on the first floor, with gates E-81 and E-82 on the second floor.

Madrid Airport Terminal 4 (T4) — Iberia Hub

T4 is the jewel of Madrid Airport. Designed by architects Antonio Lamela and Richard Rogers and completed in 2006, it won the Stirling Prize the same year and remains one of the most architecturally celebrated airport terminals in Europe. It is the home of Iberia, its franchise Air Nostrum, and all oneworld alliance partners. T4 handles check-in and arrivals for all T4 airlines, plus Schengen and domestic departures. Non-Schengen long-haul departures use the satellite T4S.

Madrid Airport Terminal 4S (T4S) — Satellite

T4S is the satellite terminal used exclusively for non-Schengen international departures by all T4 airlines. It sits 2 kilometres from T4 and is the only mode of transit between the two is the underground Automated People Mover (APM) train, which runs 24/7 at high frequency and takes approximately 3 minutes. T4S was designed by Luis Vidal and carries the same architectural language as T4, with 31 shops and extensive retail across 4,572 square metres. International passengers arriving at T4S clear passport control there before taking the APM to T4 for baggage claim.

Getting Between Terminals at Madrid Airport

Transfers within the T1/T2/T3 complex are simple: all three terminals are connected landside by covered walkways and the walking time between T1 and T3 at its furthest is around 15 minutes. Moving between the T1/T2/T3 complex and the T4/T4S complex is more involved and always requires exiting the secure zone, travelling between complexes and re-clearing security.

Free Inter-Terminal Shuttle Bus (T1/T2/T3 to T4)

AENA operates a free shuttle bus 24/7 linking all terminals. It departs from Level 1 of T1 and Level 2 of T2, stopping at all terminals including T4. The journey takes around 10 minutes. Frequency is every 5 minutes from 06:00 to 22:00, and every 20 minutes from 22:00 to 06:00. Transit passengers with checked luggage already on their connecting flight can use a dedicated internal transit bus that stops at T1, T2, T3, T4 and T4S without requiring a trip to baggage claim.

Madrid Airport Security

Each terminal complex has its own security checkpoints. At T1, the main departures security is on Level 1 (the P1 floor). T2 has its own checkpoint, accessible from the arrivals hall. T4 has its security checkpoint on the departures level before access to the H, J and K gate areas. From T4 security, passengers heading to T4S take the APM after clearing the checkpoint. There is no need to re-clear security when moving between T1, T2 and T3 on foot landside, but these terminals share secure airside access only within their own cluster.

Madrid Airport was one of the first Spanish airports to receive new CT security scanners from 2024. As of early 2026 it is not entirely clear which lanes are operating under the relaxed 2-litre liquids allowance and which still enforce the traditional 100ml rule, so packing liquids in line with the 100ml limit remains the safest approach until official guidance is updated at aena.es.

Getting to Madrid Airport

Madrid Airport has excellent public transport links to the city. Metro and rail are the fastest and cheapest options for most travellers. All ground transport for T1, T2 and T3 is accessible from the arrivals level of each terminal. T4 has its own separate curbside access.

Madrid Airport Parking

Pre-book Madrid Airport parking at aena.es for the best available rates, especially during summer peak and Spanish public holidays.

Madrid Airport Map — Arrivals

Domestic and Schengen arrivals at T1 or T2 deplane, walk to baggage reclaim (Hall 2 at T1 for most airlines including Ryanair, halls in T2 for others), and exit into the arrivals hall where ground transport, taxis, the Metro and the shuttle bus are all accessible. Arrivals at T4 follow a similar process with baggage claim in the T4 main building. Non-Schengen arrivals at T4S disembark, clear passport control at T4S, then take the APM train back to T4 to collect checked bags before exiting through customs.

Meeting Arriving Passengers

The arrivals meeting points are clearly signposted in each terminal. At T1 the arrivals hall is on the ground floor (P0). At T4, the arrivals and meeting area is on the lower level accessible from the main entrance. Allow extra time if meeting a passenger arriving on a non-Schengen flight at T4S as the passport control and APM journey adds 20 to 40 minutes beyond the aircraft landing time.

Madrid Airport Map — Departures

Check your boarding pass or airline app carefully before heading to the airport. Iberia, British Airways, American Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Vueling and all other oneworld partners depart from T4 (for Schengen and domestic) or T4S (for non-Schengen international). Ryanair, EasyJet, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, Delta, United and most other carriers depart from T1. Air Europa Schengen routes depart from T2.

Recommended Arrival Times at the Airport

Allow at least 2 hours before short-haul Schengen and domestic flights, and 2.5 to 3 hours before long-haul international departures. If you are flying from T4S, add another 20 to 30 minutes for the APM after clearing T4 security. Peak security times are 07:00 to 10:00 and 17:00 to 20:00. Check-in counters typically close 45 to 60 minutes before departure.

Madrid Airport Insider Tips

The two-complex structure is the single biggest source of confusion at MAD. Confirm your terminal before leaving home and add it to your phone lock screen. If you are making a connection between the two complexes, 90 minutes is the absolute minimum and two hours is safer. T4 is a far more comfortable airport experience than T1/T2: more space, better food, better lounges. If you have a choice of alliance when booking, flying oneworld through T4 is worth considering on that basis alone. Metro Line 8 is the smartest way into the city for most travellers: cheap, fast, no traffic. Cercanías C-1 is the best option if you are connecting to or from an AVE high-speed train at Atocha. Late-night and very early morning departures from T4S especially benefit from the 24/7 shuttle as Metro Line 8 closes around midnight. Always check the MAD airport map above for your gate area before you arrive.