Madrid Airport
 

What is the best way to travel to and from the airport in Madrid to a hotel near the Prado?

It depends what you mean by best. Madrid airport isn't that far outside of the city, so I'd say a taxi, which is what I took. It wasn't that expensive because it's not that far.

If you have only carryon, take the subway/metro. That's what I always do, even though taxis are not expensive. (30 euros.)

PS: The Madrid metro is, in my opinion, one of the very best in Europe. But mind your purse/wallet, and if you have more than one bag, there are too many steps.

Right now the Madrid metro is a nightmare-at last count 6 lines are closed undergoing some sort of construction since July/August!The cheapest is the shuttle bus to Avenida de America and then bus #27 which stops in front of the Prado.Next would be the Aeroshuttle,about 16 euros and of course taxi about 20-25 euros.

I am on assignment in Madrid right now (writing from beautiful new T4) and took public transportation to the office from here the other day. The metro is under construction from Mar de Cristal to Colombia (the airport line), but that really doesn't change anything for you, as you would change at MdeC anyways to get on the L4, then change at Bilbao to the L1 (assuming your stop is Atocha or Antón Martín, which are both close to the Prado). You are looking at a good hour, and if you arrive at T4, you have to take a bus with your luggage to T2 where you can then walk to the metro. I did it just to see how it was and I will be taking a cab today when I head back into the city.

Claire

Thanks for all your advice! I think taxi sounds good, what is aeroshuttle?

What is the aeroshuttle in Madrid?

There is a shuttle service called AeroCity that runs from the airport to downtown Madrid. It may or may not make intermediate stops along the way to drop off other passengers at their hotels.
www.aerocity.com
Rates for 1-2 people: 16 euros

A taxi will run 20-23, depending on your downtown location.

You should not ever have to pay 30 euros if your taxi driver takes you directly to your hotel. Our most recent taxi runs, from Plaza Neptuno, right above the Prado, to the airport have run 21-22 euros, including the 4.20 euro obligatory supplement.

if you decide to take the metro into the city, from Terminal 4, you need to transfer by bus to Terminal 3, where the metro stop is located, and it will take you at least an hr. to journey to downtown Madrid, plus you need to deal with myriad steps along the route and multiple line changes. Lots and lots of walking. I wouldn't suggest it now for anyone other than those with a backpack and plenty of time to spare. If you have plenty of time, the shuttle bus from airport to Avenida de America (this is the bus that formerly ran to the Plaza Colón) to bus 27 to Neptuno square, above the Prado, is certainly cheap but allow lots and lots of time!

Correction
The Metro station at Barajas is in T2 rather than T3, but it's still a hassle.

Thanks Maribel I'll look into aerocity!

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