Roberta Aguirre
Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is one of Europe's largest and busiest airports, with four terminals: T1, T2, T3, and T4. The airport is open 24/7 and offers a range of restaurants and shops, with 24-hour options in T1, T2, T4, and T4S, as well as vending machines throughout. For those looking to stay overnight, there are a few options available. If you don't want to leave the airport, you can book a short-term or overnight stay at Air Rooms, located in the public area of Terminal T4. These rooms offer double or single beds, a private bathroom with a shower, and 3.5-star services. Alternatively, you can try sleeping in one of the airport's lounges or on the floor, but be prepared for checks by security guards around 11:00 PM-midnight, and keep a close eye on your belongings as thefts have occurred. If you're looking for a more comfortable option, there are nearby hotels that offer free airport shuttles, or you can take the metro to Plaza del Sol and stay in a backpacker's hostel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport |
| Airport Code | MAD |
| Location | 30 minutes from the city centre by public transport |
| Facilities | Restaurants, shops, lounges, prayer rooms, art exhibitions, children's playgrounds, free Wi-Fi, public computers, ATMs, left luggage office, observation deck |
| Sleeping Facilities | Air Rooms (fully equipped guest rooms with 3.5-star services, located in Terminal 4), sleeping in the public areas of the airport |
| Nearby Hotels | Hostal Viky in the local town of Barajas |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping in the airport
Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is one of Europe's largest and busiest airports. The airport staff seem to tolerate sleepers, and there are plenty of options for sleeping in the airport, although the majority of seats are not very comfortable.
Where to Sleep
If you want to sleep in the airport for free, you can lie on the floor wherever is suitable, or you can try to find a bench. One person recommends sleeping in the departure area, upstairs, between check-in points 153 and 130. Another option is to sleep in the airport's prayer rooms, which can be found on level 2 of T1, floor 1 of T2, and floor 2 of T4. Multi-religious prayer rooms are located on level 2 of T1 and T4, and there is also a mosque on the second floor of T1 and T4.
Paid Options
If you want to pay for a place to sleep, you can book an Air Room, which is located in the public area of Terminal T4, underground before the check-in area. These rooms have either a double bed or two single beds, a private bathroom and shower, a courtesy mini-bar, a hair dryer, toiletries, a television, air conditioning, and a flat-screen TV with international channels. You can book the room for an overnight stay or for 3 to 6 hours during the day, from 10 am to 6 pm. There is also a shower package that allows you to use the shower facilities and enter the lounge area for 30 minutes.
Other Considerations
Overnight travellers should expect security checks and wake-up calls around 11 pm-midnight, as security guards confirm IDs and tickets. Anyone without a ticket won't be allowed to stay in the airport. There may be different processes for overnight travellers in each terminal. While there are no reported safety issues at Madrid-Barajas Airport, thefts have occurred, so it's important to take precautions to ensure the security of your valuables.
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Nearby hotels
Madrid-Barajas Airport is located just 30 minutes from the city centre by public transport. The airport offers free unlimited WiFi and has a decent range of restaurants and shops, with 24-hour options in T1, T2, T4, and T4S.
For those looking for a more comfortable option than sleeping in the airport, there are several nearby hotels to choose from. The local town of Barajas is very close to the airport and has a number of cheap hotels, including Hostal Viky, which has been recommended by travellers.
Additionally, there are first-class lounges within the airport that travellers can pay to access. These lounges offer premium services, including food, electronic devices, and shower amenities.
If you are looking for a hotel near the airport with more amenities, the following options may be worth considering:
- Air Rooms Madrid Airport: Located in the public area of Terminal T4, these fully equipped rooms offer double or single beds, a private bathroom with a shower, and 3.5-star services. They are open 24/7 and can be booked for overnight stays or day use (3 to 6 hours).
- Airport Vip lounges: These lounges offer a variety of additional services such as Meet & Assist and Fast Track Services, luggage transport, concierge, and more.
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Airport facilities and amenities
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport offers a range of facilities and amenities for travellers. The airport has four terminals (T1, T2, T3, and T4) and a satellite terminal (T4S). T4 is reported to be the most modern of the terminals and is where you can find the Air Rooms, which are fully equipped rooms with double or single beds, a private bathroom, shower, and 3.5-star services. These rooms can be booked for overnight stays or day use (3 to 6 hours) and are located in the public area of the terminal, accessible to passengers with luggage who have not yet checked in.
The airport provides free unlimited Wi-Fi throughout the airport, including in the boarding areas, dining zones, and lounges of T1, T2, and T3. Public computers are also available in designated areas. Prayer rooms and chapels can be found across the airport, catering to different religious needs. Additionally, the airport boasts a collection of contemporary art, including Spanish and Latin American paintings and sculptures from renowned artists.
When it comes to dining, Madrid-Barajas Airport offers various options, including fast food, restaurants, and vending machines. McDonald's is available 24 hours in some terminals, and other dining options include Kirei Barajas by Ricardo Sanz, Urban Grill, La Mary, and Hungry Club by chef Dabiz Muñoz. The airport also has a decent range of shopping options, with 138 square metres of shops, including international brands, local providers, global chains, and boutique stores. Duty-Free shopping is available, as well as souvenirs, designer clothes, and accessories from stores like Parfois, Salvatore Ferragamo, and El Ganso.
For travellers with children, playgrounds are available at every terminal, with most located in T4. Additionally, baby strollers can be picked up free of charge at a designated airport area. The airport also offers other services such as left-luggage offices, ATMs, and nearby hotels for those seeking more comfortable accommodations.
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Shops and restaurants
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport has 138 million square metres of shops to browse if you have time to kill. You can pick up last-minute gifts, souvenirs, food, tobacco, perfume, cosmetics, and much more. The airport also has a collection of contemporary art, including Spanish and Latin American paintings and sculptures from the latter half of the 20th century.
There are plenty of options for foodies, too. Kirei Barajas by Ricardo Sanz, Urban Grill, and La Mary are all recommended. Hungry Club, by the chef Dabiz Muñoz, is a new establishment designed for passengers who are short on time but still want to eat well. Kirei by Kabuki, in Terminal 4, is the first Japanese restaurant to open in a Spanish airport, with sushi chefs preparing dishes to order. Mahourid, in Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4, serves tapas, open sandwiches, filled rolls, and prepared dishes 24 hours a day. The airport also has a Mahou Sports Bar, located in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, where you can enjoy a beer and a tapa while watching sports. MasQ Menos, in Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4, serves a wide range of tapas, larger snacks, filled rolls, and quality salads prepared to order.
There are also plenty of coffee shops and bars, most of which are open early morning until late at night, seven days a week, all year round. Delikia Fresh, located in Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4, serves estate coffee, cold drinks, sandwiches, and snacks. Pepito Grillo, in Terminal 4, has a large show cooking area and a bar for coffee, cocktails, snacks, lunch, and dinner. Rodilla, in Terminals 2 and 4, serves classic sandwiches with a choice of white, whole-wheat, or poppy seed bread. Santa Gloria, in Terminals 2 and 3, serves artisan bread and traditional cakes made with organic ingredients.
If you just want a quick bite, there are vending machines throughout the airport terminals where you can get fresh food and drinks. And, of course, McDonald's is open 24 hours.
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Things to do on a layover
If you have a long layover at Madrid Airport, there are a few things you can do to pass the time. The airport has free, unlimited WiFi, so you can stay connected and get some work done or watch your favourite show. If you're feeling religious, you can visit one of the airport's prayer rooms, which include chapels and multi-religious prayer rooms. You can also check out the airport's art exhibitions, which feature sculptures and photo collections, or take the kids to one of the playgrounds located at every terminal.
If you're looking for a place to rest, Madrid Airport offers fully equipped rooms with double or single beds and private bathrooms with showers. These rooms are available for day use (up to 6 hours) or overnight stays. Alternatively, you can try to sleep in the public areas of the airport, although most seats are not very comfortable. It's important to keep an eye on your belongings, as thefts have occurred.
If you have at least a 7-hour stopover, you might want to consider leaving the airport and exploring Madrid. The city centre is just 30 minutes away by public transport, and you can find hotels and left-luggage offices nearby. You can also do some shopping at the airport, with options ranging from international brands to local boutiques. There are also plenty of dining options, including fast food and fine dining establishments.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Madrid-Barajas Airport is open 24/7 and it is common to see people sleeping there. The airport has a range of restaurants and shops, with 24-hour options in T1, T2, T4 and T4S. There are also hotels located within the airport.
There are fully equipped rooms to sleep or rest for a few hours inside the airport, in Terminal T4. These rooms have double or single beds, a private bathroom with a shower, and 3.5-star services. There are also airport lounges with premium services, such as food and shower amenities.
Yes, it is possible to sleep on the floor in the airport. It is recommended to find a spot near a wall with an electric socket so you can plug in your laptop or phone.
