Madrid Barajas International Airport

The Madrid Barajas International Airport (abbreviated as MAD) began construction in 1928 and opened to traffic in 1931 and has rapidly grown, today serving as the gateway to the Iberian Peninsula, from Europe, Latin America and the world as a whole. By 1955, the Madrid Barajas International Airport was serving 500,000 passengers a year. The 1960's were a time of growth for the airport as more and more people came to Spain for package holidays and jet planes became commonplace. The Madrid Barajas International Airport is the primary hub for Iberia Airlines, and that airline alone accounts for some 60% of traffic through the Madrid Barajas International Airport.

In response to the heavy traffic, a new terminal, Terminal 4, opened in 2006. Designed by Antonio Lamela and Richard Rogers, this Stirling Award winning design is one of the largest airport terminals in the world. The new two part Terminal 4 design can accommodate some 35 million passengers per year. The new terminal offers the best in modern design, incorporating shopping, health and beauty needs, and an efficient, sunlit design.

On December 30 2006, there was an explosion in Carpark D of Terminal 4 at the Madrid Barajas International Airport. Two people were sleeping in their cars and were killed in the bombing and Carpark module D was totally destroyed by the explosion.

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The Madrid Barajas International Airport is easy to access from several major roadways. Clearly marked signs can help you find the airport from the R-2 (Radial 2), the M-14 (Nudo de Eisenhower) and the M-22 / A-2 (Avenida de Aragón). The Madrid Barajas International Airport is easily accessible via Madrid's Metro system, and if you are flying certain airlines you may even check in for your flight at the Nuevos Ministerios in central Madrid. The Metro line 8 leaves directly from the Madrid Barajas International Airport and connections throughout the city are easy. A one way Metro ticket is only 1.25 Euros and passes that allow you multiple rides on the Metro or city buses are available. The Metro easily allows you to make connections to the train system if you need to continue on your trip by rail. Madrid's clean and orderly buses also leave the airport for the city center on a regular schedule. Taxis are available, and you should expect a fare of 25 to 35 Euros for the journey to the city center. It may be less expensive to rent a vehicle than take a taxi to and from the airport; however, driving in the city center is considered challenging. Madrid's taxi drivers do have a reputation for speed, so remembering "lento" or slow may be helpful for some white-knuckled passengers.

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The Madrid Barajas International Airport consists of some four terminals. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 make up one large complex. Do take time to notice the lovely and colorful murals in Terminal 1. Terminal 4 is accessible via airport shuttle bus and the Terminal 4 satellite facility via a driverless automated train that takes just a few minutes. This is a very large airport, and as you might expect, occasionally challenging to navigate. Be certain to allow extra time for arrivals, departures and connections due to the airport's size and heavy traffic. You will find a full array of passenger services, including information desks, food, shopping and more in each airport terminal.

Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 service a wide variety of airlines offering international flights into and out of the Madrid Barajas International Airport. Terminal 3 services Lagun Air. Terminal 4 and Terminal 4S also service a wide array of flights, with the Iberia Air shuttle service between Madrid and Barcelona having a dedicated area on the second floor of Terminal 4.

Take the time to plan out your route and make certain you know the layout of the airport before leaving home to help your visit to the Madrid Barajas International Airport go smoothly and reduce your travel stress. This is a very busy, very active and very large airport. While it is well designed, crowds, lines, and noise are inevitable.

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Many airlines from around the globe service the Madrid Barajas International Airport. Direct flights are available to and from many locations, including South America, the United States and other parts of Europe. Knowing where your flight will arrive, depart and where you should check in can help you speed up your visit to the Madrid Barajas International Airport and reduce travel stresses. Also, should you want a direct flight to Madrid, knowing which airlines offer these flights will make your travel planning easier.

From the United States, Delta Airlines offers direct service from both Atlanta and JFK airports. Iberia Air offers direct flights out of JFK, Miami and Boston. Continental Airlines will allow you to fly direct to Madrid Barajas International Airport from Houston, TX or Newark, NJ. US Airways and Spanair both offer direct flights from Philadelphia, PA. While you may still have to fly into one of these airports, reducing layovers on your trip will lower your overall transit time and make your trip less stressful.

Many airlines offer flights in and out of Madrid Barajas International Airport from around the world, and you will find that you can easily arrange shuttle flights throughout Spain. If you wish to fly into or out of Madrid from Europe or the Middle East, you will find a number of options, both in terms of standard airlines and discount ones as well.

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The Madrid Barajas International Airport is quite well equipped in terms of passenger services. You will find banks, money exchange services and ATMs in the airport. Information desks and consoles can help you find your way through the airport. Should you need further information, you will find more than 100 green jacketed airport employees throughout the airport to provide you with needed assistance. Post office facilities are available in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 4. Pharmacies and medical facilities are available in the airport as well, should you require them.

The Madrid Barajas International Airport has an excellent children's play area and nice nursery facilities to allow parents to care for younger infants between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. You will find play areas for children under six and an area for children over six. As any parent knows, these sorts of amenities can make traveling with children far more pleasant.

Disabled passengers will find the airport fully accessible, but should you have special needs, do contact the airport and your airline ahead of time. The information desk can also assist you with facilities or services you may require.

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Given the overall, and deserved, reputation of airline food, you may well be looking for a meal when you reach, or before you leave, the Madrid Barajas International Airport. You will find restaurants and snack bars in every terminal at the Madrid Barajas International Airport, making it easy to find a snack or meal without venturing far from your gate if you only have a short layover in the Madrid Barajas International Airport or your flight is departing soon.

The food options in the Madrid Barajas International Airport range from traditional Spanish tapas to McDonalds and Starbucks. A number of cafes offer foods ranging from snacks to meals. Salads, paella, pasta and rice dishes are all common. You can also find a beer or a restaurant with a stocked bar if you would like to sit down and relax. You will have no trouble finding a high quality and tasty meal in the Madrid Barajas International Airport. Seating throughout the airport is ample, but given the crowds at this heavily trafficked airport, do be prepared for lines.

Several delicatessens and sweets shops offer food choices as well in the shopping areas, whether you want some fine chocolates to take home or simply a snack for the plane ride. Vending machines are found throughout the airport, offering both beverages and snacks.

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The Madrid Barajas International Airport offers a number of great shopping opportunities. This is one of the busiest and most cosmopolitan airports in Europe and you will find a variety of shops to allow you to pleasantly pass time during a layover. While only the most basic shops are available in the public areas, in the passenger areas of the Madrid Barajas International Airport you will find many designer shops, duty free shops, and of course, more general shops to meet your travel needs.

Shops are spread between all four terminals at the Madrid Barajas International Airport. Terminal 4 and the Terminal 4 satellite offer the most modern shopping areas. In Terminal 1, you will find the expected duty free shops selling alcoholic beverages, perfumes, and more. You will also find luxury items, designer clothes, travel goods and fine foods. Terminals 2 and 3 offer a smaller selection of shops, but you will find tobacco, chocolates, home items, and even an optical shop in these terminals. Finally, in Terminal 4, you will find a large variety of shops, including a toy store, music store, electronics store, as well as newsagents, a duty free shop and more. With a huge selection of available shops, you will surely find a layover in the Madrid Barajas International Airport a great experience, whether you opt to find a great deal on wonderful items or simply window shop.

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Several hotels are located in the near vicinity of the Madrid Barajas International Airport. These may be particularly helpful if you have an early flight out in the morning or are flying into Madrid late at night. You may also want to consider a night in a hotel near the airport if you have a long layover. Some Madrid airport hotels may offer day rates and many have an array of business services.

Tryp Diana Solmelia Hotel is the closest hotel, and offers a good array of business services, as well as restaurants, bars and a nightclub. Other nearby hotels include the Hotel Kris Cazadora very near the airport, as well as the Hotel High Tech Madrid Aeropuerto. Many of the airport hotels offer shuttle service, internet access and other amenities. If you expect to need an airport hotel near the Madrid Barajas International Airport, do make reservations ahead of time.

Business travelers in particular may find an airport hotel especially useful, but others, even traveling on pleasure, may prefer to avoid late night or early morning jaunts through the city. An airport hotel is a good solution to allow ample rest on flight days.

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Business travelers and others in need of technology and meeting facilities on their travels will find their needs well met at the Madrid Barajas International Airport. Business travelers will find business centers available in Terminals 1, 2 and 4 at the airport. Internet access, fax and copy services and meeting spaces are available in the business centers.

VIP lounges in the airport, available to business or first class passengers of various airlines also typically offer meeting space, internet access and other business services. Should you require banking or post office services, both are found in the Madrid Barajas International Airport.

Travelers will find wireless access available in 30 minute blocks in many of the food areas of the Madrid Barajas International Airport, as well as the business centers and VIP lounges. The Iberia airlines area offers free wireless access, should you be flying Iberia.

Nearby airport hotels also offer business centers and services, and may offer short term rates if you need access to a full service business facility and have a longer layover. Should you wish to book an airport transfer to your hotel for your group ahead of time, this may be done online quite easily, or taxis and car rentals are available at the airport.

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