How to get from Madrid Barajas Airport to Chamartin Station?

How to go from Madrid Barajas Airport to Chamartín Station? Check below the best options to get from Madrid airport to one of the cities main train stations

Are you travelling to Madrid? Take a look at our guide on how to go from Madrid Barajas Airport to Chamartín Station. It covers the best options to get between the Spanish capital’s international airport, and the second biggest railway station in the city.

madrid barajas airport

Madrid Barajas Adolfo Suarez Airport is the international airport that serves the Spanish capital city, Madrid. Chamartín Station is located in the north of the city. In this article, we’ll discover the best ways to get between the two, including bus, taxi, train, and metro.

Madrid Barajas Airport Overview

Madrid Barajas Airport is the 2nd biggest airport in Europe by size. It’s the main international airport that serves Madrid, with over 53 million tourists passing through annually. There are 5 terminals offering direct flights to and from every continent other than Australasia. The airport is 22.8km from the centre of Madrid.

There are several shops, cafés, and restaurants throughout the airport. So, if you’re transferring flights here, you won’t be bored.

Madrid Chamartín Station Overview

Madrid Chamartín is the 2nd largest station in the city and offers connections to several locations throughout the country, especially the north. It’s considered a public transportation hub as it also serves buses, the city metro, and cercanías trains. Chamartín is home to several high-speed AVE routes to north western Spain. The international line to Lisbon is also located here.

Chamartín station has a number of shops, cafés, and restaurants if you arrive with time to spare. It’s in residential area where you’ll find a number of fashionable boutiques and wide boulevards. It’s close to the Santiago Bernabéu, the home of Real Madrid.

If you are traveling in Spain by train, check schedules and buy tickets on Trainline.

Best ways to get from Madrid Barajas Airport to Chamartín Station

There are a number of different ways to get from Madrid Barajas Airport to Chamartín station, depending on your budget. These will depend on your time of arrival, as not all options are available 24 hours.

Madrid Barajas Airport to Chamartín Station by Bus

Bus is the slowest option for getting to Chamartín, but it’s also the cheapest. It requires one change. When leaving the airport, look for the blue EMT bus heading in the direction of Avenida America. Board this bus and stay on it until Puente de la CEA. This part of the journey costs less than €3.

When you get off the bus at Puente de la CEA, you need to look for the number 70. Board this in the direction of Avenida del Recuerdo. Once you get off the bus, it is roughly a 900m walk to Chamartín Station.

Madrid Barajas Airport to Chamartín Station by Metro

There are no direct connections from the airport to Chamartín station, but you can do the journey with one change. Take the pink line towards Nuevos Ministerios and get off at the last stop, which is Nuevos Ministerios. There, change to the dark blue line and head in the direction of Hospital Infanta Sofía. Get off after two stops – where you’ll arrive at Chamartín.

A combined single ticket costs €3. Travel to and from the airport has an extra €3 surcharge.

If you have a lot of luggage and prefer an easier alternative but still want to travel by rail, then check out the information below about cercanías.

Madrid Barajas Airport to Chamartín Station by Train

Cercanía trains are an alternative to the metro for travel in Madrid. They are larger commuter trains operated by the RENFE network, completely separate to the metro. They are longer distance and serve the towns and villages which surround the capital.

Happily, they offer a direct option between Barajas T4 and Chamartín. Look out for Cercanías C-1 line towards Principe Pio – it’s light blue. It costs €2.60 for a one-way journey (ida) or €5.20 for a return (ida y vuelta).

If you are arriving into T1, T2, or T3, you’ll need to take the free shuttle bus to T4. This is probably the easiest and most convenient way of getting from Madrid Barajas to Chamartín.

Madrid Barajas Airport to Chamartín Station by Taxi

It’s not recommended to get a taxi from Barajas to Chamartín as it’s a very expensive option. However, if your flight arrives very late then it may be your only option. You can recognise an official Madrid taxi by its white colour and diagonal red strip on the front door. Free taxis have a green light on the roof.

A taxi is likely to cost between €30 – €40. Prices may vary if you catch a taxi from T4, as it’s further away.

Madrid Chamartin Station
Madrid Chamartin Station. Photo by Cesar Caracuel

Hotels near Madrid Barajas Airport

Hotel Don Luis – a hotel offering great value for the money close to the Madrid Barajas Airport.

ibis Madrid Aeropuerto Barajas – another great option to stay close to the airport.

Hotels near Madrid Chamartin Station

Hotel Weare Chamartin – an excellent hotel on the Madrid Chamartin Station.

Barceló Imagine – a superior hotel just a short walk to the Madrid Chamartin Station.

Other Resources for Traveling in Spain

If you are traveling in Spain you may probably find some of our other guides to the country useful. Check the best places to stay in Madrid or how to get from Barajas Airport to Atocha Station. You can also check how to get from Madrid to Valencia and the cost of living in Madrid.

Are you coming to Spain or currently in the country? Leave your thoughts and questions in the comment box below.