Search Flights from Cardiff to Madrid

Cardiff Airport is located 20 km from the city center. The airport is accessible by taxi, bus, train, or rental car.

Taxi

Although there are many transportation alternatives available to get to the airport from the city center, taxis are among the most preferred means of transport because they are both fast and reliable. You can easily find a taxi in every part of the city. It takes about 30 minutes to get to Cardiff Airport from the city center by taxi.

Bus

Buses are a convenient transportation alternative to get to the airport from the city. Bus line T9 operates from 4:10 am to 11:50 pm on weekdays and from 5:10 am to 11:50 pm on the weekends. Buses provide easy transportation to Cardiff Airport. It takes between 45 minutes to an hour to get to the airport by bus, depending on the traffic conditions.

Train

Trains are another transportation alternative to get to Cardiff Airport. Trains depart from the train station in the city center and provide transportation to the Rhoose Cardiff International Airport Railway Station, which is located in close proximity to the airport and linked to the airport by shuttle bus. It takes about 30 minutes to get to this station by train. However, because you have to transfer to a bus from the station, traveling by train is a bit more troublesome. That’s why trains are a less preferred means of transportation when compared to other options. Nevertheless, if you want to take the train, know that the fare is quite reasonable and that there are shuttle buses waiting at the station that provide transportation to the departures terminal.

Rental Car

Those who want to drive to the airport should consider renting a car. Renting a car from one of the various rental car companies located in the city or booking a vehicle online is very easy. Rental car companies in the city that you can choose from include Europcar, Avis, Hertz, Budget, and Enterprise.

Airport Information

Cardiff Airport operates passenger services out of one terminal building and is renowned for its international flight services. The terminal building offers passengers a variety of services to meet their pre-flight and post-flight needs, including free internet access, ATMs, charging stations and more.

The expansive lounges that passengers can use to relax or pass the time are open between 5 am and 9 pm on weekdays and 5 am to 5 pm on weekends. Passengers can get a bite to eat or something to drink at Caffe Ritazza, Caffi Cwtch and The Beer House. Passengers can also go shopping for affordable products at the Nuance Tax and Duty Free shop.

The Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, also referred to as Madrid-Barajas Airport, is located 12 km from Madrid’s city center. There are a variety of transportation alternatives to get to the city center from the airport including the metro, trains, buses, taxis, or rental cars.

Metro

Madrid’s metro system is a modern, clean, and quick transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport. There are two metro stations at the airport that provide convenient transportation to the city’s metro system. There is a station located in Terminal 2, which is accessible from the other terminals using the airport’s inter-terminal transportation system. The other station is located in Terminal 4. Metro Line 8 runs through both stations. Departing from Terminal 4, Metro Line 8 runs to the following lines respectively, Barajas, Airport T1-T2-T3, Campo de las Naciones, Mar de Cristal, Pinar del Rey, Colombia, all the way to the Nuevos Ministerios Station in only 12 minutes. At the Nuevos Ministerios Station you can transfer to Metro Line 10 and Metro Line 6, depending on your destination in the city. You can also transfer to Line 4 at the Mar de Cristal Station.  

We recommend taking a look at the Madrid Metro System online beforehand, or getting a map at the airport, to find out which metro line you should take depending on your final destination in the city. The metro is an affordable and convenient method of transportation to get to the city center. However, you might have to transfer at multiple locations depending on your final destination. So if you have a lot of luggage then taking the metro can be a bit troublesome. The Madrid metro system runs from 6 am to 2 am. Metro Line 8 operates every 5 minutes. If you purchase a Madrid Tourist Travel Pass then you will be paying less for public transportation and won’t have to deal with purchasing separate tickets for each ride. These cards are valid on the metro, buses, and trains.  

Train

Another convenient method of transportation to get to the city center from the airport is by using the RENFE trains. There is a station located in Terminal 4, which is accessible from the other terminals using the airport’s inter-terminal transportation system. From this station you can get to stops in the city like Chamartin, Nuevos Ministerios, Atocha, and Principe Pio by taking the C1 trains. The total train ride from the airport station to Chamartin Station takes 11 minutes and the total train ride from the airport station to Principe Pio Station takes 38 minutes. The C1 trains operate from 5:15 am to 12:15 am and run every 30 minutes.

Bus

Buses are another form of transportation to get to the city center and its surrounding areas from the airport. Airport Express buses provide transportation along Plaza Cibeles to the city’s main railway station, Atocha Station. This station is also quite close to the city’s main bus stop. These buses operate 24 hours a day and run every 15 minutes during the day and every 35 minutes at night. These yellow buses also let off passengers at the junction of O’Donnell and Doctor Esquerdo and stops along Plaza de Cibeles before arriving at Atocha Station. The ride from the airport to the last stop takes about 40 minutes under normal traffic conditions. In addition, there are regular public bus services that provide transportation to various locations in the city. Bus line 200 runs from each terminal to the Avenida de America Station, where you can connect to other major bus routes. Bus line 200 operates from 5 am to 11:30 pm and runs every 12 to 15 minutes during rush hour.

Taxi

Another transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport is by taxi. Taxis are easily accessible outside of the arrivals hall. Since the airport is located in such close proximity to the city center, only 13 km away, taking a taxi is a comfortable option. Official taxicabs in Madrid are colored white with a red stripe on them. Taxis operate using a taximeter but also use maximum and minimum flat rate fares. For example, if you are traveling 10 km away then the minimum fare will be 20 euros. But if you are traveling to specific sections in the city then your maximum fare will be 30 euros. These prices can vary over time and taxi fares are higher over the weekend, during public holidays, and at night between 9 pm and 6 am. For more detailed information on taxi fares and services please take a look at Madrid-Barajas Airport’s website.  

Rental Car

Renting a car is another alternative to get to the city center from the airport, especially if you’re planning on exploring areas surrounding the city. However, if you plan on only staying in the city then keep in mind that parking and traffic can be a problem. It might not be worth renting a car considering the fact that public transportation is so convenient. Regardless, there are various rental car companies that have offices at the airport, such as Sixt, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Enterprise and ATESA. Rental car offices can be found in the arrivals hall of terminals 1 and 4.

Airport Information

Located 12 km from the city center,  Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, also referred to as Madrid-Barajas Airport, is the main airport in Madrid, serving both international and domestic flights. Madrid-Barajas Airport consists of 4 terminals, Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and Terminal 4, which was built in 2006. Terminal 4 is the largest terminal in the airport and operates flights for many major airlines such as Turkish Airlines and American Airlines. It is an impressive structure with modern architecture that also features a satellite building, TS4. Terminal 1 is the airport’s oldest building and another major terminal. Many airlines take off and land at Terminal 1. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are smaller in comparison to the others. Terminal 3 is dedicated to flights operated by Lagun Air. There is an airport shuttle bus that runs 24 hours a day, providing inter-terminal transportation.

Internet at the airport is free for the first 15 minutes. In Terminal 4 you can connect to the internet by paying a fee. In Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 you can connect to the internet in the departure lounges, VIP lounges, and restaurant area.

There are various VIP lounges located at the airport. The La Revoltosa and Premium lounges at Terminal 4, La Revoltosa lounge in Terminal 4S, Cibeles lounge in Terminal 1, Puerta de Alcala lounge in Terminal 2, and Puerto del Sol lounge in Terminal 3 are accessible for those with a Priority Pass card. Apart from those there are 3 VIP lounges in Terminal 4 belonging to Iberia Airlines. Madrid-Barajas Airport offers passengers a rich variety of stores where they can go shopping. If you weren’t able to do as much shopping as you would have liked during your time in the city, you can easily make up for it at the airport.

There are many stores at the airport where you can buy various products such as duty free items, food, cosmetics, gifts, electronics, clothing, jewelry, and accessories. While the majority of the stores are located in Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 there are plenty of options in the other terminals as well. The airport is home to many brand name stores such as Adidas, Carolina Herrera, Sunglass Hut, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Massimo Dutti, Zara, and Michael Kors.  

Madrid-Barajas Airport also offers passengers a range of eateries aimed at meeting their pre-flight and post-flight needs. If you want to get a bite to eat or something to drink before or after your flight you can go enjoy familiar venues such as Starbucks, Mc Donald’s, Burger King, Paul, and Lavazza. The airport also features various cafes and restaurants that serve delicious examples of international cuisine.