Madrid is the very central capital city of Spain. Set in an inner region, far away from the sea and the beaches, it can attract tourists thanks to its elegant ancient centre. Madrid is a place of culture, entertainment and historical beauty. The best thing to do, when you come visit this city, is exploring it by walking – though you may also choose to use one of the many transportation options at your disposal. Moving through Madrid is very easy, as it is easy to get to the city. The capital has a very important airport and many train stations that connect it to the rest of the world. Let’s find out more about them.
AIRPORTS
Madrid Airport (MAD)
Madrid Airport (MAD) is the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, and the main international gate to Spain. This airport was built in the 1930s and since then has always served business and tourist air traffic to and from the capital city. Developed and renewed in the 1950s and in 2000, today it boasts four terminals and four runways, managing 50 million travelers per year.
All terminals do offer services, transport options and a lot more! The terminal number four is also a… museum! It stands out for its architectural excellence and user-friendliness. Its airy and light-infused design provides a calming entry point to the country, receiving widespread acclaim and awards for its innovative structure.
Passengers can enjoy duty-free shopping, dining options, relax lounges, VIP lounges, assistance, banks, police places and of course free wi-fi. Navigating through the airport is easy thanks to clear signage in both Spanish and English and the connection to the city is relies on taxis, buses, private services, and Madrid Metro Line 8 linking directly to the heart of Madrid. Luxury private transfers can be booked at the many companies spots on the place, among which you find Transfeero.
TRAIN STATIONS
Atocha Station
Built in 1851 and restored already in 1892, the historical train station of Atocha is today unified to the brand new station Madrid Puerta de Atocha. The oldest part of the building is now more a museum than a real station, making the whole new station a real monument! If you arrive at Atocha Station you arrive inside the history of Madrid!
Three main railway lines work on Atocha: the Madrid-Hendaye, the Madrid-Barcelona and Madrid-Seville. With 24 tracks and many services (shops, restaurants, police, etc) for the over 100 million travelers, this station also serves regional trains and the city metro.
Chamartìn Station
Built in the 1970s, this is the most modern and lively station in Madrid. Chamartìn works with railways connecting north-western Spain and Portugal. The modern design hosts many services for travelers. With 21 tracks, it can manage a traffic of 32 million people per year also operating as a regional and city metro station.
Other stations
Other stations serving the capital of Spain are Villaverde Bajo, set in the neighbourhood of Villaverde in the southern outskirts of the city. It is a railway station not to be confused with the metro station of the same name.
The main metro stations are, instead, Piràmides and Principe Pio stations, besides the ones connected to Chamartìn and Atocha.