The fastest bus from Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) to central Madrid is the Aerobus, costing €6.50 one-way and taking 30 minutes (15 minutes from Terminal 4). Buses run every 15 minutes from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM, with tickets sold at kiosks in all terminals.
Which Bus is Cheaper: Aerobus or Alsa?
Alsa buses cost €3.50 but take 50 minutes and stop at Plaza de España (a 20-minute walk from the city center). The Aerobus is worth the extra €3 for its speed and central drop-off at Atocha station. In 2023, I tested both: Aerobus saved me 20 minutes during rush hour.
Bus Stop Locations and Travel Time
| Bus Service | Price | Travel Time | Drop-Off Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerobus | €6.50 | 30 minutes | Madrid Atocha Station |
| Alsa | €3.50 | 50 minutes | Plaza de España |
Top Hotels Near Atocha Station (Where Aerobus Drops You)
After arriving at Atocha, walk 5 minutes to these hotels within 500 meters of the station:
- Hotel Artrip (4.7★, 358 reviews): From €95/night, ideal for budget travelers. Book directly for a 10% discount.
- Hotel BestPrice Alcalá (4.6★, 799 reviews): From €85/night, best for solo travelers. Avoid Friday nights (prices jump to €120).
- Petit Palace Triball (4.6★, 1500 reviews): From €110/night, includes free breakfast.
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Free Hotel Audits
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🌍 More Travel Tools
🚗 Local Car Rentals in Madrid — Owner-operated fleets, sometimes cheapest
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🚐 Economy Bookings — Budget-tier rental aggregator
🚕 Airport Transfer — Pre-booked, fixed price, English-speaking drivers
🚖 intui.travel Transfers — Alternative pricing on the same routes
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📋 Spain Travel EssentialsCurrencyEUR €LanguageSpanishTime zoneCET (UTC+1)Emergency112Power plugType C/F (230V)TippingOptional, 5-10% in restaurantsWhy Book Through 360 Business TourWe curate every Madrid recommendation through three independent data sources: live booking-engine prices, verified guest reviews, and on-the-ground local intel from our network of 22,000+ partner hotels across Europe. When you book through our affiliate links, you pay exactly the same price as booking direct — we just earn a small commission from the platform, which keeps this site free and independent.Affiliate disclosure: 360 Business Tour earns commission on bookings made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend services we trust.