Flight connections | Madrid-Barajas Airport | Aena

Connecting flights

Flight connections can be made at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. Here you can find useful information for preparing your transit through the airport..

 

Before flying

Please take note of the following information in mind before starting your journey:

Arrivals and departures area

Check the terminals where each airline operates. You can find information on which airlines are in which terminal here.

If you need to check whether the country from which you are flying or to which you are going is in the Schengen area, you can find up-to-date information here.

Documentation and time between flights

If you have to change terminal during the connection, remember that you will have to leave the international transit zone and access Spanish territory. Check that you have all the necessary documentation before starting your journey. You can find all the necessary information here.

Make sure you will have enough time to get from one flight to the other and to carry out all the documentary formalities and checks necessary during the journey.

Free transport between terminals

The airport has a free transport service between terminals connecting T1 and T4. Check information on the timetable and route here.

During your transit through the airport

When you arrive at the airport, check the flight information screens to see from which boarding area your departure flight leaves and follow the relevant signs. You can also find up-to-date information here.

The airport has 4 terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4), the latter has an internal train connection to a terminal building T4S.

  • Connection within the same terminal. If your departure flight operates out of the same terminal as your arrival, the connection process will depend on whether you have checked baggage or need to check in.
  • Connection between terminals. If your departure flight operates out of a different terminal from your arrival, the airport offers free shuttle options. It will also depend on whether you have checked baggage or need to check in.

From Terminals T1/T2 to Terminals T1/T2

If you do NOT have to collect your baggage or check in:

  • Schengen-Schengen: your arrival and departure flights operate at gates C, D, E in Terminal T2. You must go to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.
  • Schengen-Non Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates C, D, E in Terminal T2 and your departure flight operates at gates A or B in Terminal T1. You must go to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens, passing through passport control in Terminal T1, which is located near gates C34 to C38.
  • Non Schengen-Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates A or B in Terminal T1 and your departure flight operates at gates C, D, E in Terminal T2. You should head towards the exit, arriving at the connections corridor identified by the blue connection signs. Walk down to baggage claim hall 2, go through passport control, walk through baggage claim hall 2 to the far end, go through the security checkpoint and following the blue connection signs again, go up to the boarding level and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the information screens.  
  • Non Schengen-Non Schengen: your arrival and departure flights operate at gates A or B in Terminal T1. You should head towards the exit, arriving at the connections corridor identified by the blue connection signs. In this hallway you must go through the security checkpoint for international connections to gates A and B, then go up to the international boarding level and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the information screens. 
 

If you need to collect your baggage and/or check in:

  • Schengen-Schengen: your arrival and departure flights operate at gates C, D, E in Terminal T2. Make your way to the exit by going down to the baggage claim hall. After collecting your baggage, go out to the arrivals hall and go up to Terminal T2 Level 2 where you will find the check-in area to check in your baggage. Then go down to Level 1, go through the security checkpoint and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.
  • Schengen-Non Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates C, D, E in Terminal T2 and your departure flight operates at gates A or B in Terminal T1. Make your way to the exit by going down to the baggage claim hall. After collecting your baggage, go out to the arrivals hall and go up to Terminal T1 Level 1 where you will find the check-in area to check in your baggage. You must then go to the security checkpoint, go through passport control located near gates C34 and C38 and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.
  • Non Schengen-Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates A or B in Terminal T1 and your departure flight operates at gates C, D, E in Terminal T2. You should head towards the exit, arriving at the connections corridor identified by the blue connection signs. Go down to the baggage claim hall, go through passport control and, after collecting your bag, exit to the arrivals hall and go up to Terminal T2 Level 2 where you will find the check-in area to check in your baggage. Then go down to Level 1 to pass the security checkpoint. Once you have passed through security, you will need to look for the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.  
  • Non Schengen-Non Schengen: : your arrival and departure flights operate at gates A or B in Terminal T1. You should head towards the exit, arriving at the connections corridor identified by the blue connection signs. Go down to the baggage claim hall, pass through passport control in this hall and, after collecting your bag, exit to the arrivals hall. You must go up to Terminal T1 level 1 where you will find the check-in area and, after checking in your baggage, go through the security checkpoint. Once you have passed through security, you must proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens, passing through passport control in Terminal T1, located to the right of the security checkpoint.
> Remember that if your arrival flight is operated by Ryanair or EasyJet, you must collect your baggage in hall 2 and, if your departure flight is operated by these companies, you must check in at Terminal T1 level 1.

From Terminals T1/T2 to Terminals T4/T4S

If you do NOT have to collect your baggage or check in::

  • Schengen-Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates C, D, E in T2 and your departure flight operates at gates H, J, K in T4 or at gates M in T4S. You must go out to the arrivals hall and go up to T2 level 2 (departures) where the free shuttle bus connecting T1-T2-T3-T4 stops at the pavement outside. You must get off at the last stop, T4, located on the departures road and go through the security checkpoint, down one level to the boarding area and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - If your flight was assigned to T4S gates M, you must go down to level –2 and take the Automatic People Mover (APM), which will take you to T4S level –2. Afterwards, you must go up to level 0 where the M gates are located and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - Remember, if your arrival flight is operated by Ryanair or EasyJet, you must collect your baggage in hall 2 and take the free shuttle bus on level 1 of T1.

  • Schengen-Non Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates C, D, E in T2 and your departure flight operates at gates S in T4S. You must go out to the arrivals hall and go up to T2 level 2 (departures) where the free shuttle bus connecting T1-T2-T3-T4 stops at the pavement outside. You must get off at the last stop, T4, located on the departures level road and go through the security checkpoint, down to level –2 and take the APM (Automatic People Mover) that will take you to T4S level –2. Afterwards, you must go up to level –1 to pass through passport control and finally up to level 1 where the S gates are located and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - Remember, if your arrival flight is operated by Ryanair or EasyJet, you must collect your baggage in hall 2 and take the free shuttle bus on level 1 of T1.

  • Non Schengen-Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates A or B in T1 and your departure flight operates at gates H, J, K in T4 or at gates M in T4S. Make your way to the exit by going down to the baggage claim hall, go through passport control, exit to the arrivals hall and go up to T1 level 2 (departures) where the free shuttle bus connecting T1-T2-T3-T4 stops at the pavement outside. You must get off at the last stop, T4, located on the level 2 road (departures) and go through the security checkpoint, go down one level to the boarding area and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the screens.

    - If your flight was assigned to T4S gates M, you must go down to level –2 and take the Automatic People Mover (APM), which will take you to T4S level –2. Afterwards, you must go up to level 0 where the M gates are located and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

  • Non Schengen-Non Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates A or B in T1 and your departure flight operates at gates S in T4S. Make your way to the exit by going down to the baggage claim hall and, without going through passport control, tell the Green Jackets information desk that you are connecting to the S gates at T4S. From there, they will call the internal shuttle service to pick you up and take you to level 0 of T4S. You must pass the security checkpoint to the right of the hall as you enter. Go up to level 1 (boarding) and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.
 

If you need to collect baggage and/or check in:

  • Schengen-Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates C, D, E in Terminal T2 and your departure flight operates at gates H, J, K in Terminal T4 or at gates M in T4 Satellite. Make your way to the exit by going down to the baggage claim hall. After collecting your baggage, go out to the arrivals hall and go up to Terminal T2 level 2 (departures) where the free shuttle bus connecting T1-T2-T3-T4 stops at the pavement outside. You must get off at the last stop, Terminal T4, located on the departures level road, and enter the check-in area. After checking in, you must go through the security checkpoint, down one level to the boarding area and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - If your flight was assigned to gates M in T4 Satellite, you must go down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover), which will take you to level –2 of T4 Satellite. Afterwards, you must go up to level 0 where the M gates are located and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - Remember that if your arrival flight is operated by Ryanair or EasyJet, you must collect your baggage in hall 2 and take the free shuttle bus on level 1 of Terminal T1.

  • Schengen-Non Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates C, D, E in Terminal T2 and your departure flight operates at gates S in T4 Satellite. Make your way to the exit by going down to the baggage claim hall. After collecting your baggage, go out to the arrivals hall and go up to Terminal T2 level 2 (departures) where the free shuttle bus connecting T1-T2-T3-T4 stops at the pavement outside. You must get off at the last stop, Terminal T4, located on the departures level road, and enter the check-in area. After checking in, you must go through the security checkpoint, down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover), which will take you to level –2 of the T4 Satellite. Afterwards, you must go up to level –1 to pass through passport control and finally up to level 1 where the S gates are located and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - If your flight was assigned to gates M in T4 Satellite, you must go down to level –2 and take the Automatic People Mover (APM), which will take you to level –2 of T4 Satellite. Afterwards, you must go up to level 0 where the M gates are located and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - Remember that if your arrival flight is operated by Ryanair or EasyJet, you must collect your baggage in hall 2 and take the free shuttle bus on level 1 of Terminal T1.

  • Non Schengen-Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates A or B in Terminal T1 and your departure flight operates at gates H, J, K in Terminal T4 or at gates M in T4 Satellite. Make your way to the exit by going down to the baggage claim hall, go through passport control, exit to the arrivals hall and go up to Terminal T1 level 1 (departures) where the free shuttle bus connecting T1-T2-T3-T4 stops at the pavement outside. You must get off at the last stop, Terminal T4, located on the level 2 road (departures), and enter the check-in area. After checking in, you must go through the security checkpoint, down one level to the boarding area and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - If your flight was assigned to the M gates in T4 Satellite, you must go down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover), which will take you to level –2 of T4 Satellite. Afterwards, you must go up to level 0 where the M gates are located and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

  • Non Schengen-Non Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates A or B in Terminal T1 and your departure flight operates at gates S in T4 Satellite. Make your way to the exit by going down to the baggage claim hall, go through passport control, exit to the arrivals hall and go up to Terminal T1 level 1 (departures) where the free shuttle bus connecting T1-T2-T3-T4 stops at the pavement outside. You must get off at the last stop, Terminal T4, located on the level 2 road (departures), and enter the check-in area. After checking in, you must go through the security checkpoint, down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover), which will take you to level –2 of the T4 Satellite. Afterwards, you must go up to level –1 to pass through passport control and finally up to level 1 where the S gates are located and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

From Terminals T4/T4S to Terminals T4/T4S

If you do NOT have to collect baggage or check in:

  • Schengen-Schengen: your arrival and departure flights operate at gates H, J, K in Terminal T4. You must go to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - Remember, if your airline is Iberia, Iberia Express or Air Nostrum, Schengen flights may depart from gates M in T4 Satellite which is accessed using the APM (Automated People Mover).

  • Schengen-Non Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates H, J, K in Terminal T4 and your departure gates S in T4 Satellite. You must go down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover) which will take you to level –2 of T4 Satellite. You must go up to level –1 to pass through passport control and finally up to level 1 where the S gates are located and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - Remember, if your airline is Iberia, Iberia Express or Air Nostrum, Schengen flights may arrive at gates M in T4 Satellite, where you will have to go down to level –1 to pass through passport control and then go up to level 1 to find your boarding gate.

  • Non Schengen-Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates S in T4 Satellite and your departure at gates H, J, K in Terminal T4. Make your way to the exit past passport control on level 2 (arrivals) of T4 Satellite, go down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover) which will take you to level –2 of Terminal T4. From the platform you must go up to baggage claim hall 10 located on level 0 (arrivals) of Terminal T4. From there, follow the blue connection signs, go through the security checkpoint, go up to level 1 (departures) and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the screens.

    - Remember, if your airline is Iberia, Iberia Express or Air Nostrum, Schengen flights may depart from the M gates in T4 Satellite and you will not have to take the APM. You must pass through passport control on level 2 of T4 Satellite, go down to level 0 to go through the security checkpoint and proceed to your boarding gate.

  • Non Schengen-Non Schengen: your arrival and departure flights operate at the S gates in T4 Satellite. Make your way to the exit following the blue connection signs "T4S gates S", go through the international connections security checkpoint, down to level 1 and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.
 

If you need to collect baggage and/or check in:

  • Schengen-Schengen: your arrival and departure flights operate at gates H, J, K in Terminal T4. Make your way to the exit by going down to baggage claim hall 10 and, after collecting your baggage, exit to the arrivals hall, go up to level 2 (departures) to the check-in area. After checking in, you must go through the security checkpoint, down one level to the boarding area and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - Remember, if your airline is Iberia, Iberia Express or Air Nostrum, Schengen flights may arrive and/or depart from gates M in T4 Satellite which is accessed using the APM (Automated People Mover).

  • Schengen-Non Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates H, J, K in Terminal T4 and your departure flight operates at gates S in Terminal T4S. Make your way to the exit by going down to baggage claim hall 10. After collecting your bag, exit to the arrivals hall, go up to level 2 (departures) to the check-in area. After checking in you must go through the security checkpoint and take the APM (Automated People Mover) located on level –2. You must go up to level –1 of T4 Satellite to pass through passport control and then go up to level 1 and look for your boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - Remember that if your arrival flight operates at the M gates in T4 Satellite and your departure flight operates at the S gates in T4 Satellite. You must take the APM (Automated People Mover) to collect your bag in Hall 10 of Terminal T4. Go up to level 2 (departures) to check in and go through the security checkpoint. Finally, you will need to take the APM again on level –2 of Terminal T4 which will take you to T4 Satellite where you will need to go up to level –1 to pass through passport control and head to your boarding gate.

  • Non Schengen-Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates S in T4 Satellite and your departure flight operates at gates H, J, K in Terminal T4. Make your way to the exit past passport control on level 2 (arrivals) of T4 Satellite, go down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover) which will take you to level –2 of Terminal T4. From the platform, go to baggage claim hall 10 on level 0 (arrivals) of Terminal T4. Exit to the arrivals hall, go up to level 2 (departures) for check-in and to go through the security checkpoint.

    - Remember, if your departure flight operates at the M gates in T4 Satellite, you will have to take the APM (Automated People Mover) again, which will take you to level –2 of T4 Satellite. Once in T4 Satellite, you will need to go up to level 0 where the M gates are located.

  • Non Schengen-Non Schengen: your flights operate at the S gates in T4 Satellite. Make your way to the exit by going down to level –2 of the T4 Satellite, take the APM (Automated People Mover) which will take you to level –2 of the T4 terminal. From the platform, go to baggage claim hall 10 on level 0 (arrivals) of Terminal T4. After collecting your baggage, you must exit to the arrivals hall, go up to level 2 (departures) to check in and go through the security checkpoint. Afterwards, go to level –2 to take the APM back to T4 Satellite. Once there, you must go up to level –1 to pass through passport control and then up to level 1 where the S gates are located to go to your boarding gate.

From Terminals T4/T4S to Terminals T1/T2

If you do NOT have to collect your baggage or check in:

  • Schengen-Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates H, J, K in Terminal T4 and your departure flight operates at gates C, D or E in Terminal T2. Go to baggage claim hall 10, exit to the arrivals hall and exit to the outside road to catch the free shuttle bus connecting T4-T3-T2-T1. You must get off at the 2nd stop, Terminal T2, located on the level 0 road (arrivals), enter the arrivals hall and go up to level 2 (departures). Afterwards, go through the security checkpoint, down one level to the boarding area and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - Remember that if your arrival flight operates at the M gates in T4S, you must go down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover) which will take you to level –2 of Terminal T4. You must go up to baggage claim hall 10, exit to the arrivals hall and exit to the outside road to catch the free shuttle bus.

  • Schengen-No Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates H, J, K in Terminal T4 and your departure flight operates at gates A or B in Terminal T1. Make your way to the exit by going down to baggage claim hall 10 and, from the arrivals hall, exit to the outside road where the free shuttle bus connecting T4-T3-T2-T1 stops at the pavement. You must get off at the 4th stop, Terminal T1, located on the level 1 road (departures), on that same level, go through the security checkpoint. Once you have passed through security, you must go through passport control to the right. Finally, you must go to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - Remember that if your arrival flight operates at the M gates in T4 Satellite, you must go down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover) which will take you to level –2 of Terminal T4. You must go up to baggage claim hall 10, exit to the arrivals hall and exit to the outside road to catch the free shuttle bus.

  • Non Schengen-Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates S in T4 Satellite and your departure flight operates at gates C, D or E in Terminal T2. Make your way to the exit past passport control on level 2 (arrivals) of T4 Satellite, go down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover). From the APM (Automated People Mover) platform, you must go up to baggage claim hall 10 located on level 0 (arrivals) of Terminal T4. Go to baggage claim hall 10, exit to the arrivals hall and exit to the outside road to catch the free shuttle bus connecting T4-T3-T2-T1. You must get off at the 2nd stop, Terminal T2, located on the level 0 road (arrivals), enter the arrivals hall and go up to level 2 (departures). Afterwards, go through the security checkpoint, down one level to the boarding area and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.
  • Non Schengen-Non Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates S in T4 Satellite and your departure flight operates at gates A or B in Terminal T1. Make your way to the exit following the blue signs to Terminal T1 indicating "International connection passengers without visa "*, go down to level 0 (international remote hall) and, without passing any checkpoint, tell the Green Jackets information desk that you are connecting at gates A and B in Terminal T1. From there, the internal shuttle bus service will pick you up and take you to hall 1 located in Terminal T1 and, without passing any checkpoint there, you must go up one level to the connections hallway identified by the blue connection signs. In this hallway you must go through the security checkpoint for international connections to gates A and B, then go down to the international boarding level and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    *Remember that if your arrival flight operates at the M gates in T4S, you must go down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover) which will take you to level –2 of Terminal T4. You must go up to baggage claim hall 10, exit to the arrivals hall and exit to the outside road to catch the free shuttle bus.
 

If you need to collect baggage and/or check in:

  • Schengen-Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates H, J, K in Terminal T4 and your departure flight operates at gates C, D or E in Terminal T2. Go to baggage claim hall 10. After collecting your baggage, go out to the arrivals hall and exit to the outside road to catch the free shuttle bus connecting T4-T3-T2-T1. You must get off at the second stop, Terminal T2, located on the level 0 road (arrivals), enter the arrivals hall and go up to level 2 (departures) where you will find the check-in area. After checking in, you must go through the security checkpoint, down one level to the boarding area and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - Remember that if your arrival flight operates at the M gates in T4 Satellite, you must go down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover) which will take you to level –2 of Terminal T4. You must go up to baggage claim hall 10 and, once you have collected your baggage, go out into the arrivals hall and exit to the outside road to catch the free shuttle bus.

    - Remember that if your departure flight is operated by Ryanair or EasyJet, you must get off at the 4th stop, Terminal T1, located on the level 1 road (departures) where the check-in area is. There you must check in your baggage and, on the same level, go through the security checkpoint and then look for your boarding gate.

  • Schengen-Non Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates H, J, K in Terminal T4 and your departure flight operates at gates A and B in Terminal T1. Make your way to the exit, go down to baggage claim hall 10 and, after collecting your baggage, go out into the arrivals hall and exit onto the outside road where the free shuttle bus connecting T4-T3-T2-T1 stops at the pavement. You must get off at the fourth stop, Terminal T1, located on the level 1 toad (departures) where the check-in area is, on that same level, check in your baggage and go through the security checkpoint. Once you have passed through security, you must go through passport control to the right. Finally, you must go to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - Remember that if your arrival flight operates at the M gates in T4 Satellite, you must go down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover) which will take you to level –2 of Terminal T4. You must go up to baggage claim hall 10 and, once you have collected your baggage, go out into the arrivals hall and exit to the outside road to catch the free shuttle bus.

  • Non Schengen-Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates S in T4 Satellite and your departure flight operates at gates C, D or E in Terminal T2. Make your way to the exit past passport control on level 2 (arrivals) of T4 Satellite, go down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover) which will take you to level –2 of Terminal T4. From the APM (Automated People Mover) platform, you must go up to baggage claim hall 10 located on level 0 (arrivals) of Terminal T4. Once you have collected your baggage, go out into the arrivals hall and exit to the outside road to catch the free shuttle bus connecting T4-T3-T2-T1. You must get off at the 2nd stop, Terminal T2, located on the level 0 road (arrivals), enter the arrivals hall and go up to level 2 (departures) where you will find the check-in area. Once you have checked in, you must go through the security checkpoint, go down one level to the boarding area and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens.

    - Remember that if your departure flight is operated by Ryanair or EasyJet, you must get off at the 4th stop, Terminal T1, located on the level 1 road (departures) where the check-in area is. There you must check in your baggage and, on the same level, go through the security checkpoint and then look for your boarding gate.

  • Non Schengen-Non Schengen: your arrival flight operates at gates S in T4 Satellite and your departure flight operates at gates A or B in Terminal T1. Make your way to the exit past passport control on level 2 (arrivals) of T4 Satellite, go down to level –2 and take the APM (Automated People Mover) which will take you to level –2 of T4. From the APM platform, you must go up to baggage claim hall 10 located on level 0 (arrivals) of Terminal T4. From hall 10, and after collecting your baggage, you must go out to the arrivals hall and exit to the outside arrivals road where the free shuttle bus that connecting T4-T3-T2-T1 stops at the pavement. You must get off at the fourth stop, Terminal T1, located on the level 1 road (departures) where the check-in area is. Once you have checked in, you must go through the security checkpoint and proceed to the boarding gate indicated on the flight information screens, passing through passport control in Terminal T1.
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