Feb 15, 2016, 2:13 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Connecting at MAD / Madrid Barajas International Airport
FEEL FREE TO EDIT OR ADD TO THIS WIKIPOST
FEEL FREE TO EDIT OR ADD TO THIS WIKIPOST
Madrid airport layout
Terminals include
Terminal 1: International. Star Alliance primarily (also the only non-Schengen area outside of T4)
Terminal 2: Domestic mostly. SkyTeam primarily
Terminal 3: Schengen and some Domestic mostly. Air France/KLM/Lufthansa usually leave from here, but really it's just a slight extension on T2
Terminals 1-2-3 are adjacent and host Star and SkyTeam alliances and are all connected airside.
Terminal 4: one world including Iberia
Domestic and Schengen mostly from Terminal 4
International from Terminal 4-S (satellite) (Except IB or I2 operated flights to UK and Ireland as well as BA CityFlyer flights to LCY that operate out of T4 Main, though note that usually one IB flight to LHR daily is operated by an A330 or A340, these flights go from T4-S).
Both connected by an underground train, though going from T4-S to T4 requires going landside and re-clearing security in order to access T4.
Terminals are connected by a landside shuttle bus service.
Connecting from non-Schengen to Schengen (or departing the airport) one must process immigration in T-4S. Queues can be lengthy at times; if you are an EU citizen, you wil lfind the kiosk to your right in the queues. If you are not, keep to the right of the general queues anyway, as the EU queues can empty and they begin waving non-EU passengers into the EU lines.
The train connecting the T4-S satellite to T4 must be accessed via lifts or stairs; the lifts are faster. A non-Schengen to Schengen connection can take an hour or longer - A 1.5 hours is recommended as minimum connect times, and possibly more for Schengen to non-Schengen if during busy hours due to security procedures, particularly for US flights. Status passengers on Iberia flights to the US have access to a separate priority queue to clear the extra US screening.
Connections to other terminals are by a landside shuttle bus located, and can take rather longer than one might think as T4 is quite far away from T1/2/3. There is a metro link between the two, however you will have to pay full fare and even for a single rider a taxi is pretty competitive on price when the airport supplement is included.
Resources:
Link to Madrid Barajas Airport (World Airport Guides)
Link to AENA official MAD Madrid Barajas website by airport operator AENA
Wikipedia decent article on Madrid Barajas (with listings of airline gates and terminals - BUT caveat - it fails to differentiate between Terminal 4 and Terminal 4-S!)
Schengen Agreements nations information (with maps, etc.)
Connections through Madrid Airport
May 17, 2019, 7:24 am
#542
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 99
There is a transit bus, under request only, from baggage claim in T1 straight to T4S if you are doing a non-Schengen to non-Schengen connection (to avoid having to go through immigration).
However, if you are flying TAP I assume that you are actually flying EWR-LIS-MAD. In which case you will go through immigration in Lisbon and enter the Schengen space there. Then I believe in MAD you have to exit T2, take the transit bus to T4, go through security there and then take the transit to T4S.
At some point there was a transit bus from T2 baggage claim straight to T4S (only for passengers who do not need to check in). I do not know if it is still running.
However, if you are flying TAP I assume that you are actually flying EWR-LIS-MAD. In which case you will go through immigration in Lisbon and enter the Schengen space there. Then I believe in MAD you have to exit T2, take the transit bus to T4, go through security there and then take the transit to T4S.
At some point there was a transit bus from T2 baggage claim straight to T4S (only for passengers who do not need to check in). I do not know if it is still running.
May 17, 2019, 7:27 am
#543
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 99
May 19, 2019, 4:43 am
#544
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,958
You will arrive in T2 and exit through the bag claim, go upstairs to the departures level at T2, follow signs for T123<>T4 shuttle (they're in English), and take the bus to T4 (there's a stop at the lower level, but it's the bus going to T1, and will add 15 mins to your bus ride).
Once you get to T4, you'll check in (if you haven't already) go through security, take the train to T4S, and go through passport control, then board your flight.
I'd suggest going to T4, leaving your bags there, and taking the train to Sol for a few hours' walk with the kids.
You should be able to unless the system requires you to show your credit card (which Iberia often does) or because of a doc check requirement (unlikely).
Once you get to T4, you'll check in (if you haven't already) go through security, take the train to T4S, and go through passport control, then board your flight.
I'd suggest going to T4, leaving your bags there, and taking the train to Sol for a few hours' walk with the kids.
You should be able to unless the system requires you to show your credit card (which Iberia often does) or because of a doc check requirement (unlikely).
May 20, 2019, 8:20 am
#545
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 99
You will arrive in T2 and exit through the bag claim, go upstairs to the departures level at T2, follow signs for T123<>T4 shuttle (they're in English), and take the bus to T4 (there's a stop at the lower level, but it's the bus going to T1, and will add 15 mins to your bus ride).
Once you get to T4, you'll check in (if you haven't already) go through security, take the train to T4S, and go through passport control, then board your flight.
I'd suggest going to T4, leaving your bags there, and taking the train to Sol for a few hours' walk with the kids.
You should be able to unless the system requires you to show your credit card (which Iberia often does) or because of a doc check requirement (unlikely).
Once you get to T4, you'll check in (if you haven't already) go through security, take the train to T4S, and go through passport control, then board your flight.
I'd suggest going to T4, leaving your bags there, and taking the train to Sol for a few hours' walk with the kids.
You should be able to unless the system requires you to show your credit card (which Iberia often does) or because of a doc check requirement (unlikely).
May 20, 2019, 9:20 am
#546
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 99
May 21, 2019, 8:56 am
#548
Join Date: May 2015
Location: YUL
Programs: AC 50K, *A Gold
Posts: 301
I flying JFK-MAD-NCE on two different PNR's.
JFK-MAD is on AA arriving at 8:10AM
MAD-NCE is on IB departing at 8:55AM
I have no checked luggage, and willing to take the risk of doing the very very short transit. I am betting on AA's flight to arrive earlier than schedule as that has been the fact (from what I checked on flightaware).
Would anyone be able to tell me what terminal am I landing in? Do I need to re-clear security? Do I land at T4 and need to go to T4-S?
What is my play here to mentally prepare myself so I know where I am going. I have never transited through MAD in the past.
JFK-MAD is on AA arriving at 8:10AM
MAD-NCE is on IB departing at 8:55AM
I have no checked luggage, and willing to take the risk of doing the very very short transit. I am betting on AA's flight to arrive earlier than schedule as that has been the fact (from what I checked on flightaware).
Would anyone be able to tell me what terminal am I landing in? Do I need to re-clear security? Do I land at T4 and need to go to T4-S?
What is my play here to mentally prepare myself so I know where I am going. I have never transited through MAD in the past.
May 21, 2019, 11:52 am
#549
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,921
I flying JFK-MAD-NCE on two different PNR's.
JFK-MAD is on AA arriving at 8:10AM
MAD-NCE is on IB departing at 8:55AM
I have no checked luggage, and willing to take the risk of doing the very very short transit. I am betting on AA's flight to arrive earlier than schedule as that has been the fact (from what I checked on flightaware).
Would anyone be able to tell me what terminal am I landing in? Do I need to re-clear security? Do I land at T4 and need to go to T4-S?
What is my play here to mentally prepare myself so I know where I am going. I have never transited through MAD in the past.
JFK-MAD is on AA arriving at 8:10AM
MAD-NCE is on IB departing at 8:55AM
I have no checked luggage, and willing to take the risk of doing the very very short transit. I am betting on AA's flight to arrive earlier than schedule as that has been the fact (from what I checked on flightaware).
Would anyone be able to tell me what terminal am I landing in? Do I need to re-clear security? Do I land at T4 and need to go to T4-S?
What is my play here to mentally prepare myself so I know where I am going. I have never transited through MAD in the past.
You will land at T4S and you will need to clear immigration ( as you are coming into the Schengen zone) security and take a train to T4 for the NCE flignt.
This is exceptionally tight ( below MCT) so you will need to have printed out/ apped your IB boarding pass.
Regards
TBS
May 21, 2019, 12:33 pm
#550
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,106
I do actually think it's doable if you know what you're doing but the AA flight will arrive at the very end of T4S so you will want to make sure to be one of the first people off the plane and then RUN to the immigration area. There is an express connection line that should help, too.
As a quick tip, after immigration, take the lift down to the train and then the lift back up after you get off and go through transit security. It's much faster than the escalators. Also, use the door closest to the lift to board the train, that will ensure you get on the first one going up when you get off (you'll see all the people in the know going directly for them when the train disembarks)
As a quick tip, after immigration, take the lift down to the train and then the lift back up after you get off and go through transit security. It's much faster than the escalators. Also, use the door closest to the lift to board the train, that will ensure you get on the first one going up when you get off (you'll see all the people in the know going directly for them when the train disembarks)
May 21, 2019, 1:02 pm
#551
Join Date: May 2015
Location: YUL
Programs: AC 50K, *A Gold
Posts: 301
I do actually think it's doable if you know what you're doing but the AA flight will arrive at the very end of T4S so you will want to make sure to be one of the first people off the plane and then RUN to the immigration area. There is an express connection line that should help, too.
As a quick tip, after immigration, take the lift down to the train and then the lift back up after you get off and go through transit security. It's much faster than the escalators. Also, use the door closest to the lift to board the train, that will ensure you get on the first one going up when you get off (you'll see all the people in the know going directly for them when the train disembarks)
As a quick tip, after immigration, take the lift down to the train and then the lift back up after you get off and go through transit security. It's much faster than the escalators. Also, use the door closest to the lift to board the train, that will ensure you get on the first one going up when you get off (you'll see all the people in the know going directly for them when the train disembarks)
Also, on the MAD-NCE flight I am in business class and my boarding pass says "fast track" does that help in any way? Should I aim to rush for that line?
May 21, 2019, 1:22 pm
#552
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,106
I don't believe there is a fast track at transfer security. But it'd be irrelevant anyway since there's rarely any line. Immediately after getting off the lift from the train in T4 main it will be directly at your right.
May 27, 2019, 5:51 pm
#553
Join Date: May 2015
Location: YUL
Programs: AC 50K, *A Gold
Posts: 301
I do actually think it's doable if you know what you're doing but the AA flight will arrive at the very end of T4S so you will want to make sure to be one of the first people off the plane and then RUN to the immigration area. There is an express connection line that should help, too.
As a quick tip, after immigration, take the lift down to the train and then the lift back up after you get off and go through transit security. It's much faster than the escalators. Also, use the door closest to the lift to board the train, that will ensure you get on the first one going up when you get off (you'll see all the people in the know going directly for them when the train disembarks)
As a quick tip, after immigration, take the lift down to the train and then the lift back up after you get off and go through transit security. It's much faster than the escalators. Also, use the door closest to the lift to board the train, that will ensure you get on the first one going up when you get off (you'll see all the people in the know going directly for them when the train disembarks)
this is why I love this forum, people helping people.
I actually made it, right on time but without all the information you guys provided I'd have never made it.
I was the last one onboard and rushed, ran and followed every single step you guys provided.
Soon as I boarded, 30seconds later they closed the door and the jetway was pulling out. The Iberia flight attendants offered me water as they saw I rushed to get there.
Would I do it again? 35 mins international connection? No, not worth it to self-connect in a huge airport like MAD. But hey, at least it made a good story once I arrived in NCE.
May 31, 2019, 10:28 am
#554
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 26
Transfer from 4S to 2
👋 - here is my story. I arrive at T4S from Rio at 10:20 and then I intend to take a flight at 13:00 from T2. Different airlines, different tickets and I also have to collect my hold luggage and re-check it in. I am on EU passport. Will I make it??
Jun 3, 2019, 6:14 am
#555
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,958
Yes - should be doable. Bags out by 11, T4>T2 by 11:30 - you have a 30-40 min margin.