Best way to get from Madrid-Barajas to Sol with 3 kids and 2 checked bags?

Posted by alisa.powell on 11/25/25 04:26 AM

Hi all!

We are traveling to Madrid for Christmas with our 3 kids (12, 10, 7). They've used a metro in a foreign city before and my husband and I are experienced/aware foreign travelers. Our Airbnb host warned us against taking the metro from the airport to Sol because of "los carteristas y las escaleras" (pickpockets and escalators). We will have 2 larger checked bags and will have minimal carry-on. By the time we clear customs, morning rush hour in Madrid will be over. We want to use public transit as much as possible around Madrid. Is it better to take the bus from the airport to Sol or is the metro still a viable option with the kids and checked bags? Thanks in advance for your advice and expertise!

Posted by shoeflyer

Chicago

11/25/25 06:21 PM

1087 posts

Another option, if you are coming into T4, is to take the commuter (Cercanias) line. It
can be a bit confusing at the train station in the airport, as the metro and commuter
line terminations are adjacent, but youtube, for instance, can show you videos of the
layout.

You can do the Cercanias with a single change at Chamartin. I think you would have
multiple changes on the Metro.

The airport bus stops at Cibeles on the way to Atocha, which is not that far from Sol,
but probably not the easiest way to go with kids and big bags. You could take the
bus all the way to Atocha and then hop on the metro (same line, no connections) to
Sol.

Posted by alisa.powell OP

11/25/25 06:26 PM

3 posts

Thank you so much for the insights! We will for sure check out the commuter line and the bus line you mentioned.

Posted by Paul

Eastern Iowa, USA

11/25/25 07:02 PM

8989 posts

I have always taken the Metro and never had, or seen, any issues with security or safety. The system is clean, and modern, having lots of elevators and escalators. Sometimes stairs will be quicker, an elevator might mean going a bit out of the way.

The only drawback is that you will need to change lines, twice, to get to Sol. The commuter train (only if coming into T4) option has 1 change, but I think the metro is easier. For the metro you need to buy a card to load, though multiple people can use the same card. You might want at least two, maybe three cards, just for ease of use. The airport does require a supplement charge.

I guess don't overlook a cab, well, you would probably need a van, that would run you ~35 euro.

Posted by alisa.powell OP

11/25/25 07:21 PM

3 posts

Thank you, Paul! That's all super helpful!!!

Posted by jaimeelsabio

Mid-Atlantic area

11/25/25 08:47 PM

8105 posts

My wife and I also take the metro to Sol and have never had an issue. The walk at the airport to get to the metro is a pain, but manageable.

There are a couple different ways to get to Sol on the metro. Possibly the easiest with children may be to get on the metro (line 8) at the airport, then switch to line 4 at the Mar de Cristal station. Take line 4 to the Goya station and then get on line 2 to the Sol station.

Another way would be Line 8 to the Colombia station, switch to line 9 and take it to the Principe de Vergara station where you get onto line 2 to the Sol station.

Either avoids some steps, escalators, and walking that would be needed at the Nuevos Ministerios station.