MAD Madrid Barajas Airport Guide for 2026
T4 vs T1/2/3, the satellite shuttle, customs, metro to Sol, lounges, and how to track every MAD flight in 2026.
Quick facts
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD / LEMD) is Spain's largest airport and Iberia's main hub. Long-haul Iberia and oneworld traffic operates from T4 and its satellite T4S, while most other carriers and Schengen LCC use T1/T2/T3.
- Time zone: Europe/Madrid
- Metro Line 8: MAD T4 → Nuevos Ministerios in ~20 minutes
T4 ↔ T4S
The Iberia long-haul satellite T4S is connected to the main T4 building only by an underground people-mover. Plan 20–30 minutes to traverse it, including the inter-terminal train and any passport check.
Customs
Schengen entry stamping at MAD is generally efficient. The biometric EES rollout has shortened lines for non-EU travelers since late-2024.
Lounges
- Iberia Velázquez Premium (T4S) — the long-haul flagship.
- Iberia Dalí Premium (T4) — for business and oneworld emerald.
- Sala Cibeles (T1) — Priority Pass.
Track your MAD flight
FlightyFlow is great for MAD because Iberia's gate assignments shift inside the final two hours — predictive alerts give you time to make the long T4 → T4S transit.
Frequently asked
Is the MAD metro fast enough to get downtown?+
Yes — Line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios takes about 20 minutes and from there the rest of the system is at your fingertips. Note the airport supplement (about €3) on top of a normal ticket.
How early should I get to MAD T4 for a long-haul flight?+
Plan 2.5 hours. The T4 → T4S transit, plus security and any passport check, can eat 45 minutes on busy mornings.
Track your next flight with FlightyFlow
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