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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Hi everyone! Now that we are back from our trip, I wanted to update you lovely folks. We did end up taking the metro from the airport to our apartment in Sol and again back to the airport. Thanks to all of your input, we were able to easily take the T4 - Colombia - Principe de Vergara - Sevilla route (reversed back to the airport). We were able to use the elevators and escalators for our luggage and never once worried about or saw pick pocketing in the metro. Bonus: the kids absolutely loved the metro! It was probably one of their top 3 favorite things about Madrid next to the near nightly churros y chocolate caliente and the Christmas markets.

We are so grateful for all of your time and expertise! We feel very fortunate for this amazing community of travelers :)

Thank you so much for returning to update us!! I wish everyone would do the same.
Glad you had a great trip!!