Transport Tips for Madrid

Terminal Access: From Terminal 4 (most international flights): Take Metro Line 8 directly. From Terminals 1-3: Board the free inter-terminal shuttle bus to Terminal 4 first—operates every 3-4 minutes, 24/7. Never pay anyone for this shuttle; it's completely free and clearly marked "T4" in blue.

Complete Route Breakdown: Metro Line 8 from airport → Nuevos Ministerios station (18-20 minutes) → transfer to Line 10 (follow purple signs) → Sol station (central Madrid, 12-15 additional minutes including transfer time). Total journey: 32-38 minutes depending on connections. Line 8 operates 6:05am-1:30am Monday-Saturday, until 1:15am Sundays/holidays.

Ticketing & Costs: Purchase tickets at yellow vending machines near Metro entrance (English language option available). Cost is €4.50-5.00 including the mandatory airport supplement—ignore outdated sources claiming €3. The machine accepts contactless cards, cash, and offers 10-trip cards (€12.20) if you're staying multiple days.

Alternative Considerations: Taxis charge €30+ to city center and face significant traffic during rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm). The airport express bus (Line 203) costs €5 but takes 45-60 minutes with stops. Metro Line 8 is consistently fastest and most economical, with modern air-conditioned trains running every 4-7 minutes during peak hours.