Madrid Barajas MAD Airport Guide: T4, T4S, Terminals and Metro
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain: terminals, getting to the city, security, lounges and connections.
Quick answer: Madrid-Barajas has two separate terminal areas: T1, T2 and T3 in one building complex, and T4 with its satellite T4S a few kilometres away. Iberia, American Airlines and most oneworld airlines use T4, and their long-haul flights to the US board in T4S. Delta, United, Air Canada and Turkish Airlines use T1, while Air France, Lufthansa and TAP use T2. A free 24-hour bus links all terminals, and Metro Line 8 and Cercanías trains reach central Madrid.
Facts checked November 2026. Schedules and entry rules change, so confirm with the airline and the official government site before you travel.
MAD at a glance
| Terminals | T1, T2 and T3 in one complex; T4 and the T4S satellite on their own |
|---|---|
| T4 / T4S | Iberia, American, British Airways, Vueling, Emirates, Qatar Airways, LATAM, Avianca |
| T1 | Delta, United, Air Canada, Aeroméxico, Turkish Airlines, Ryanair, easyJet, Air Europa (non-Schengen) |
| T2 | Air France, Lufthansa, TAP, Air Europa (Schengen) |
| Between terminals | Free 24-hour bus; automated train between T4 and T4S |
| Into the city | Metro Line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios; Cercanías C1 and C10 from T4; Exprés Aeropuerto bus |
Which airlines use which Madrid terminal
Aena's airline list puts Iberia, American Airlines, British Airways, Vueling, Emirates, Qatar Airways, LATAM and Avianca in T4. Delta, United, Air Canada, Aeroméxico and Turkish Airlines are in T1, along with Ryanair and easyJet. Air France, Lufthansa and TAP are in T2. Air Europa uses T1 for flights outside the Schengen area and T2 for the rest.
This split matters if you are meeting someone or changing flights, because T4 is not in the same building as T1, T2 and T3. Check the terminal on your booking before you head out, as the airport and the airlines can change assignments.
T4 and T4S: where flights to the US leave
T4 is a long building under a wavy roof with a bamboo-lined ceiling. It handles check-in and the gates for flights inside the Schengen area. T4S, the satellite, holds the gates for flights outside Schengen, which includes Iberia's and American's flights to the United States.
Even if you check in at T4, a US-bound Iberia or American flight usually boards in T4S. You get there on an automated underground train from T4, and you pass passport control for non-Schengen flights on the way to the gates. Follow the signs for the T4S train and leave time for the train and the exit passport check, which can queue at busy times.
Arriving from the US, you clear Spanish passport control on entry to the Schengen area. Have your passport ready, and once the EU's Entry/Exit System and the ETIAS authorization apply to you, check the current requirements on the official EU travel website before you fly.
Connecting at Madrid-Barajas
A free bus runs around the clock between T1, T2, T3 and T4. Iberia says passengers whose bags are checked through can also use a transit bus that reaches T4S. T1, T2 and T3 are close enough to walk between.
Connecting from a non-Schengen flight, such as one from the US, to a flight within Europe means clearing passport control on the way. Follow the connection signs to the passport control for your next flight.
Leave enough time for the change and the document checks, and check the minimum connection time with your airline. A move between T4 and T1 or T2 by bus adds noticeably more time than a connection within T4 and T4S.
Getting into Madrid: Metro, trains, bus and taxi
Metro Line 8 has stations at T1-T2-T3 and at T4 and runs to Nuevos Ministerios, where you can change to other Metro lines and to Cercanías trains. An airport supplement is added to the regular Metro ticket.
Cercanías commuter trains, lines C1 and C10, leave only from T4 and run to central stations including Chamartín, Atocha and Príncipe Pío, which suits travellers heading to the south or west of the centre or on to a long-distance train.
The Exprés Aeropuerto bus runs 24 hours from the terminals to Atocha, with a shorter route at night. Taxis between the airport and the city centre inside the M-30 ring road charge a flat fare set by the city; confirm it with the driver before you set off.
Lounges at Madrid-Barajas
Iberia's main lounges are in Terminal 4. The Dalí lounge in T4 serves flights within Schengen, and the Velázquez Premium Lounge in T4S serves long-haul and other non-Schengen flights, including those to the US.
Aena runs its own VIP lounges in the terminals for passengers of other airlines and paying guests. Entry to any lounge depends on your ticket, status or lounge membership, so check the lounge page before you go.
Practical tips for Madrid-Barajas
Confirm your terminal before you leave the hotel: arriving at T1 for a T4 flight costs a bus ride of several minutes. If you take Metro Line 8, make sure you get off at the right one of its two airport stations.
For a flight to the US from T4S, allow time for the train to the satellite and for exit passport control, and do not rely on a quick dash at the end. Airlines generally advise arriving 3 hours before an international flight.
Madrid summers are hot and the T4 walks are long. Carry water and wear comfortable shoes if your gate is at the far end of the building.
Route guides to Madrid (MAD)
Frequently asked questions
Which terminal at Madrid airport do flights to the US leave from?
It depends on the airline. Iberia and American use T4 and board their US flights in the T4S satellite. Delta and United use T1. Check your booking for the terminal.
What is the difference between T4 and T4S at Madrid?
T4 is the main building with check-in and Schengen gates. T4S is a satellite for non-Schengen flights, including flights to the US, reached by an automated underground train.
Which terminal is Delta at Madrid Barajas?
Aena lists Delta in Terminal 1, together with United, Air Canada and Turkish Airlines.
How do I get between terminals at Madrid airport?
A free bus runs 24 hours between T1, T2, T3 and T4. T1 to T3 can be walked, and an automated train links T4 with T4S.
Does the Metro go to Terminal 4 at Madrid?
Yes. Metro Line 8 has a station at T4 and one at T1-T2-T3 and runs to Nuevos Ministerios. An airport supplement applies.
Which train goes from Madrid airport to Atocha?
Cercanías trains from T4 run to Atocha and other central stations. The Exprés Aeropuerto bus also runs to Atocha, 24 hours a day.
Where is the Iberia lounge for US flights at Madrid?
The Velázquez Premium Lounge in T4S serves Iberia's non-Schengen flights, including those to the US. The Dalí lounge in T4 serves Schengen flights.
