Search Flights from Madrid to Cardiff

The Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, also referred to as Madrid-Barajas Airport, is located 12 km from Madrid’s city center. The airport is very easily accessible by taxi, rental car, and public transportation. Taking the train and metro are both convenient and quick transportation alternatives to access Madrid-Barajas Airport.

Rail

To get to the airport by metro from the city center you have to take metro line 8. This line starts from the Nuevos Ministerios Station and provides transportation to every terminal at the airport. This line takes between 12 and 15 minutes to reach the airport. The RENFRE train C1 line, which you can access from the Chamartin, Nuevos Ministerios, Atocha and Principe Pio stations, provides transportation to Terminal 4. The total trip time will vary depending on your location and which station you get on from. It takes 11 minutes to get to the airport from Chamartin and 38 minutes to get to the airport from Principe Pio.

Bus

Airport Express buses are another transportation alternative. These Airport Express buses depart from the Atocha Station. You can access Atocha Station from your location in the city using a different bus line or metro line. When calculating the duration of the trip take the varying traffic conditions into consideration, especially during rush hour. There are also regular public bus services that operate between the city and the airport. For more information on these bus routes please visit Madrid-Barajas Airport’s website.

Airport Information

Located 12 km from the city center,  Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, also referred to as Madrid-Barajas Airport, is the main airport in Madrid, serving both international and domestic flights. Madrid-Barajas Airport consists of 4 terminals, Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and Terminal 4, which was built in 2006. Terminal 4 is the largest terminal in the airport and operates flights for many major airlines such as Turkish Airlines and American Airlines. It is an impressive structure with modern architecture that also features a satellite building, TS4. Terminal 1 is the airport’s oldest building and another major terminal. Many airlines take off and land at Terminal 1. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are smaller in comparison to the others. Terminal 3 is dedicated to flights operated by Lagun Air. There is an airport shuttle bus that runs 24 hours a day, providing inter-terminal transportation.

Internet at the airport is free for the first 15 minutes. In Terminal 4 you can connect to the internet by paying a fee. In Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 you can connect to the internet in the departure lounges, VIP lounges, and restaurant area.

There are various VIP lounges located at the airport. The La Revoltosa and Premium lounges at Terminal 4, La Revoltosa lounge in Terminal 4S, Cibeles lounge in Terminal 1, Puerta de Alcala lounge in Terminal 2, and Puerto del Sol lounge in Terminal 3 are accessible for those with a Priority Pass card. Apart from those there are 3 VIP lounges in Terminal 4 belonging to Iberia Airlines. Madrid-Barajas Airport offers passengers a rich variety of stores where they can go shopping. If you weren’t able to do as much shopping as you would have liked during your time in the city, you can easily make up for it at the airport.

There are many stores at the airport where you can buy various products such as duty free items, food, cosmetics, gifts, electronics, clothing, jewelry, and accessories. While the majority of the stores are located in Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 there are plenty of options in the other terminals as well. The airport is home to many brand name stores such as Adidas, Carolina Herrera, Sunglass Hut, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Massimo Dutti, Zara, and Michael Kors.  

Madrid-Barajas Airport also offers passengers a range of eateries aimed at meeting their pre-flight and post-flight needs. If you want to get a bite to eat or something to drink before or after your flight you can go enjoy familiar venues such as Starbucks, Mc Donald’s, Burger King, Paul, and Lavazza. The airport also features various cafes and restaurants that serve delicious examples of international cuisine. 

There are a variety of transportation alternatives available to get to the city center from Cardiff Airport. Buses and trains provide transportation to the city center all day long. However, the airport is not directly served by train; the train station is located a short bus ride from the airport. Taking a taxi or renting a car are both very convenient methods of transportation to get to the city from the airport.

Taxi

The licensed taxi operator that serves Cardiff airport is the Flight Link Wales taxi company. These taxis are readily available at the terminal exit. The company also features vans and minibuses for large groups. You can also make a reservation in advance from the company’s website.

Bus

Buses are a convenient transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport. Bus line T9 departs from the bus stop in front of the terminal. These buses offer passengers free internet access and space for extra luggage. The T9 runs every 20 minutes and operates from 5 am to 12:20 am on weekdays and from 6 am to 12:20 am on weekends.

Train

Cardiff Airport isn’t directly served by train. However, the Rhoose Cardiff International Airport Railway Station is located just 10 minutes away. There are regular shuttle buses that provide transportation to the station from the airport. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the city center from this station by train. The train operates from 6:06 am to 11:06 pm Monday through Saturday. On Sundays the train operates from 10:06 am to 10:06 pm. During the week the train runs every hour and on the weekends it runs every 2 hours.

Rental Car

Renting a car is another convenient transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport. There are three rental car companies located at the airport. You can choose to rent a vehicle from Enterprise, Europcar, or Hertz. Their offices are open from 8 am to 10:45 pm on weekdays, from 8 am to 2 pm on Saturdays, and from 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Sundays.