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16 km • ~22 mins

How to Get from Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) to Royal Palace of Madrid

Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) is about 16 km north-east of the Royal Palace of Madrid. Journey times range from about 25 minutes by private transfer or taxi to over an hour by cheaper public transport options.

✓ Verified Oct 29, 2026 • 16 km road distance

Private Airport Transfer to Royal Palace

Recommended
22 mins •Pre-Booked / On Demand
€42 - €50 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Meet your driver in the arrivals hall of your terminal (T1, T2, T3 or T4); the driver will hold a name sign.
  2. Confirm the fixed price before leaving the terminal; card or cash accepted.
  3. Load luggage in the private vehicle; the journey is about 16 km.
  4. Stay on the M-14/M-30 route; no stops unless requested.
  5. Arrive at the Royal Palace of Madrid entrance on Calle de Bailén; driver can drop you as close as possible.
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Official Madrid Taxi from Barajas

Fixed Fare
25 mins •Available 24/7
€33 (Fixed, Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow the taxi rank signs outside your arrivals hall exit.
  2. Take an official white taxi with a red diagonal stripe from the rank.
  3. State 'Royal Palace of Madrid' or show the address; verify the €33 fixed fare before departure.
  4. Keep the journey about 22-30 minutes outside rush hour.
  5. Pay by card or cash at the end; no luggage or night supplements are added.

Metro Line 8 + Line 10 to Plaza de España

Cheap & Frequent
50 mins •Every Few Minutes
€5.00 / Person
Luggage: 1 Piece Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. From T1, T2 or T3 follow the Metro signs to Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 station; from T4 use Aeropuerto T4 station.
  2. Buy a Multi card or tap a contactless bank card at the gate; pay the €3 airport supplement if required.
  3. Take Line 8 toward Nuevos Ministerios and get off at Nuevos Ministerios (20-25 min).
  4. Transfer to Line 10 toward Plaza de España and get off at Plaza de España.
  5. Walk about 10 minutes to the Royal Palace of Madrid on Calle de Bailén.

Cercanías C1 Train via Aeropuerto T4

Cheapest
65 mins •Every 15–30 Mins
€2.60 / Person
Luggage: 1 Piece Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. From T1, T2 or T3 take the free airport shuttle bus to Terminal 4; from T4 go directly to the Cercanías station at level -1.
  2. Buy a Cercanías single ticket (€2.60) from the Renfe machines at Aeropuerto T4 station.
  3. Take C1 or C10 toward Príncipe Pío and ride about 40 minutes to Príncipe Pío.
  4. Exit Príncipe Pío station and walk east about 15 minutes to the Royal Palace of Madrid.

Exprés Aeropuerto Line 203 to Cibeles

24/7 Airport Bus
60 mins •Every 15–20 Mins (Day) / Every 35 Mins (Night)
€5.00 / Person
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow the Exprés Aeropuerto bus signs at T4, T2 or T1; T3 passengers use the T1/T2 stops.
  2. Board the 203 bus and pay by contactless card/phone or cash (up to €20 note).
  3. Ride about 30-40 minutes to Plaza de Cibeles (night service terminates at Cibeles).
  4. Walk west along Calle Mayor or Calle del Arenal for about 20-25 minutes to the Royal Palace.
  5. Alternatively, from Cibeles take a short taxi to the palace if you have luggage.

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⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

  • Use only official white taxis with a red diagonal stripe from the airport rank; ignore touts who approach you inside the terminal.
  • For destinations inside the M-30 such as the Royal Palace, the airport taxi fare is a fixed €33 per vehicle; if the driver turns on the meter or asks for luggage/night supplements, point to the fixed fare and ask for the official rate.
  • There is no Cercanías station at T1, T2 or T3; anyone selling a train ticket at those terminals is not official. At T4, the Cercanías station is at level -1.
  • Ride-hailing pick-ups are in designated car park zones, not at the arrivals kerb; follow the app directions exactly and avoid drivers who approach you claiming to be Uber/Cabify.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to get from Madrid Airport to the Royal Palace?

The Cercanías C1 train from Aeropuerto T4 costs €2.60 and takes about 40 minutes to Príncipe Pío, followed by a 15-minute walk. If you arrive at T1-T3, take the free terminal shuttle to T4 first.

How much is a taxi from Madrid Barajas Airport to the Royal Palace?

A taxi from any Barajas terminal to the Royal Palace (inside the M-30) is a fixed €33 per vehicle, 24 hours a day. Up to four passengers can share and no luggage or night supplement is added.

Is there a direct airport bus to the Royal Palace?

No direct bus stops at the Royal Palace. The Exprés Aeropuerto line 203 runs 24/7 to Cibeles/Atocha, from where you can walk about 20-25 minutes or take a short taxi.

How long does it take to get from MAD to the Royal Palace?

A private transfer or taxi normally takes 22-30 minutes outside rush hour. The Metro takes about 50 minutes including the walk, and the Cercanías train via T4 takes roughly 65 minutes.

Can I pay for the Metro or airport bus with a contactless bank card?

Yes, since 1 June 2026 contactless bank cards and phones are accepted at Metro gates for single journeys, and the Exprés bus accepts contactless card/phone. You may still need to buy the €3 airport supplement at a machine if the gate asks for it.

Which option is best for a family with luggage?

A private transfer or an official taxi is usually best for a family with luggage because both offer door-to-door service for one price per vehicle. The fixed €33 taxi fare covers up to four passengers and includes luggage.

Nearby places

More transfers from Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD)

Plaza Mayor · 18.1 km Gran Vía · 14.9 km Puerta del Sol · 14.8 km Malasaña · 14.3 km Plaza de Cibeles · 13.9 km Prado Museum · 14.4 km Retiro Park · 14.2 km Salamanca District · 12.4 km Santiago Bernabéu Stadium · 13 km Madrid Chamartín Station · 13.2 km

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