Rick's 2016 Spain guidebook suggests taking the Expres Aeropuerto bus from the airport to Atocha station instead of the Metro. But then it says the bus only goes to Plaza de Cibeles and not all the way to Atocha; which is a long walk with luggage... Why is that better than the Metro? Any help would be appreciated...
Posted by
California 🦋
5294 posts
Hi Doug,
Didn't you post this question on July 28th?
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/spain/from-the-madrid-airport-to-atocha-station
As I mentioned before, we took the Cercanias train (C-1 line) from the airport (terminal 4) to Atocha station & it took about 25 minutes. It was very easy & we didn't have to deal with any traffic.
- Keep this in mind: If you will be connecting to an AVE train at Atocha, the Cercanias ticket will be free!
- Here is the information for the Cercanias train: http://www.aeropuertomadrid-barajas.com/transportation/madrid-airport-bytrain.htm
Yes, the Airport Express bus does travel to Atocha station (from the airport), but only from 6:00am to 11:30pm.
- You may check bus schedules here: http://www.gomadrid.com/transport/Airport-Express.pdf
What time is your plane arriving at Barajas Airport?
EDIT: To answer your question.
I would not recomend taking the Metro from the airport, as you will have to make several changes, to get to Atocha station.
- Here is the information about the Metro:http://www.aeropuertomadrid-barajas.com/transportation/madrid-airport-bymetro.htm
Posted by
Midwest
2768 posts
The airport express bus goes to Atocha during the day and evening. I think somewhere in the late night it only goes to Cibeles, and resumes the full (all the way to Atocha) route somewhere around 6AM. If your needs are very early morning or late night, I would double check the hours. Otherwise it goes to the station, and is better than the metro (in my opinion) because of stairs and changes.
Just found this: 6AM - 11PM it goes to the station.
http://www.esmadrid.com/en/airport-express
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Nothing is easier than the Airport Express bus to get to Atocha. After it leaves the airport, it only stops twice - Plaza de Cibeles (where it turns to head to Atocha), and Atocha. It only costs 5 euros, too. And you get to see a bit of the city en route.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
The daytime and late-night route options are described correctly in Rick's book:
The yellow Exprés Aeropuerto runs between the airport (all terminals) and Atocha Station (€5, pay driver in cash, departing from arrivals level every 15-20 minutes, ride takes about 40 minutes, runs 24 hours a day; from 23:30-6:00, the bus only goes to Plaza de Cibeles, not all the way to Atocha).