Madrid-Barajas
Operated By: |
 Aena |
Website: |
www.aena.es |
Terminals: |
4 - 1, 2, 3, 4 |
This Review: |
Terminal 4 (and Satellite Terminal) |
Rating: |
 |
| MAD MADRID TT0107 /221750 |
Last updated 16/11/2022
General: |
Madrid's main airport, which has rapidly expanded in recent years and is now one of the biggest in Europe |
Appearance: |
Terminal 4 looks sleek and modern (it's only a few years old) the Satellite terminal (T4-S) was only a few months old when I first visited in 2006 and looks very futuristic. Even by 2022 the terminal still looks fresh and hasn't aged. Domestic and EU Schengen zone flights leave from T4, International and Non-Schengen EU flights leave from the Satellite terminal |
Inbound
Domestic
The domestic flight I landed on was on a small plane that parked away from the main terminal building so we were taken by bus right round to an entranceway that lead into the building by the baggage reclaim belts. From there it was a short walk through to the arrivals area
International
A very long walk from the gate to the baggage reclaim involving going through immigration then down several escalators, a 5 minute monorail ride, up several more escalators before reaching the cavernous baggage reclaim area. From there it’s a short walk through the customs hall to the arrivals lounge
Friendly staff who didn't even look at the passport just spotted the colour and waived all EU citizens through
The baggage reclaim hall is massive, and 15 minutes walk from the plane. Sadly, this does nothing for the speed of the bags turning up, it was a further 25 minute wait before the first of the bags came off the belt
A large, but deserted customs area. For EU travellers is passing between the green and red halls down a wide corridor to the exit
Metro line 8 runs from Terminal 4 to Terminals 1,2,3 and then on into the outskirts of the city centre, from where you have to change onto other Metro lines to get into the city centre itself. The local commuter trains (Cercanías) Lines C1 and C10 run from Termianl 4 to the centre of the city and Atocha station. Note, a surcharge on the standard public transport tickets is made if you board or alight at any Madrid Airport station
Outbound
Domestic
From the large checkin area it's through security into the massive departures lounge. All along the middle are shops and café's with the gates coming off of the sides. From the centre where security is to one or the other end it's about a 10 minute walk.
International
International flights leave from the satellite terminal which is yet further still on from the main terminal, including a five minute monorail ride underneath the apron.
Several Café/restaurant/bars are located in both the land side of terminal 4 and airside at T4-S
Several Café/restaurant/bars are located in both the land side of terminal 4 and airside at T4-S
Several Café/restaurant/bars are located in both the land side of terminal 4 and airside at T4-S
Madrid follows that pattern of many other European airports and more resembles a shopping mall from where planes leave
The toilets are all very clean