Sleeping Pods At Madrid Airport: Where To Rest And Recharge

Madrid-Barajas Airport offers a variety of options for travellers looking for a place to rest or sleep while waiting for their flight. The airport has 22 Air Rooms located in Terminal 4, which can be booked for a few hours during the day or overnight. These rooms offer various amenities, such as private bathrooms, showers, and access to food and drinks. Additionally, the airport has VIP lounges that can be accessed for a fee, providing more comfortable seating and additional services. However, these lounges are only available to passengers with non-Schengen flights departing from Terminals T1 and T4S. For those seeking a more affordable option, the airport also has free resting zones with benches and recliner chairs. It is important to note that the airport's lighting and lack of privacy may make it challenging to get uninterrupted sleep.

Madrid Airport's sleeping options

Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is one of Europe's largest and busiest airports. While it does not have sleeping pods, there are several options for travellers looking to rest before their flight. Here is a guide to sleeping options at the airport.

Inside the Airport

The airport offers a basic sleeping experience. Security checks paperwork around 11 pm, evicting those without valid boarding passes. There are a few benches without armrests, but private corners and nooks are scarce. Terminal 1 (T1) has very few seats, while T2, T3, and T4 have more space and benches, although they are not very comfortable. T4S has a few rest areas with padded reclining chairs, lamps, and power outlets.

• T1 – Mahoudrid cafe.
• T3, airside, Gate E82 – may have some armrest-free benches.
• T4 – McDonald's has soft seating.
• T4, airside – there is a small, private corner behind the Iberia Lounge on the top floor.
• T4, airside, K boarding area – sofas and a softer floor in the children's play area.
• T2, T3, and T4 have a few armrest-free wooden benches.

The airport also has 24-hour food options, free unlimited WiFi, mobile charging points, and lockers.

Air Rooms

For a more comfortable option, there are 21 to 22 Air Rooms located inside Terminal 4 (T4) on Floor -1 (landside). These rooms can be booked for an overnight stay, day use (three or six hours between 10 am and 6 pm), or a shower on arrival (maximum one hour). The rooms have private bathrooms and showers, and various amenities are provided, including a shower kit, slippers, newspapers, a minibar, and a 24-hour catering service.

VIP Lounges

The airport has several VIP lounges, some of which offer showers that economy-class passengers can access for a fee. These lounges can be accessed by purchasing a pass or through a lounge membership program. Some lounges are open 24 hours, but access is usually only granted a few hours before your flight.

Nearby Hotels

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, there are several options near the airport, some of which offer free airport shuttles. However, note that not all hotels offer shuttles at all times, and most are isolated from cafes, restaurants, and shopping areas. Here are some nearby hotel options:

• Tryp Alameda and Meliá Barajas – Free 24-hour transfer service to the airport. Prices from €70 per room per night.
• Hilton – Located next to T1 with a shuttle running every 20 minutes from 4 am. Prices from €110 per room per night.
• Axor Barajas and Axor Feria – Side-by-side hotels with a free transfer service starting at 5 am. Prices from €65 per room per night.
• Marriott Hotel Auditorio – Free transport to the airport starting at 5 am. Prices from €70 per room per night.
• Hotel Alcalá 611 – Free transfer service at set times (5:00 am, 6:30 am, 8:00 am, and 9:30 am). Prices from €45 per room per night.

Air Rooms at Terminal 4

Each room has a private bathroom and shower, a double bed or two single beds, a courtesy mini-bar with beverages, a hairdryer, toiletries, a television, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, international channels, a telephone, a safe-deposit box, and Wi-Fi. Some additional services, such as breakfast, are not included in the booking price.

The Air Rooms are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and can be accessed by passengers in transit, those who want to sleep the night before their flight, or those who arrive at the airport well in advance of their departure time.

VIP Lounges

Madrid-Barajas Airport offers VIP lounges, which are ideal for escaping the hustle and bustle of the departure terminals. These lounges offer comfortable seating, free refreshments, and a selection of alcoholic drinks. In addition, they provide entertainment for both adults and children, toilets, showers, rest areas, and meeting rooms.

Any passenger can book a VIP lounge, and children under 5 years old are granted free admission. The lounges can be found in the boarding areas of Terminals T1, T2, T3, T4, and T4S. The lounges are open 24 hours a day, and the maximum stay is three hours before the scheduled departure time of the flight, with extensions granted in case of delays.

Terminal T1

The Sala VIP Cibeles lounge is located on Level 2 of the boarding area. It offers catering services, free Wi-Fi, press and books, computer equipment, a relaxation area, showers, and a smoking terrace.

Terminal T2

The Sala Puerta de Alcala lounge is located on Level 1 of the boarding area. It offers catering services, national and international press, free Wi-Fi, computer equipment, fax and printer facilities, a relaxation area, and showers.

Terminal T3

The Sala VIP Puerta Del Sol lounge is located on Level 2 of the boarding area. It offers catering, press and books, free Wi-Fi and internet access, telephone and fax facilities, television, and computers.

Terminal T4

The Plaza Mayor lounge is located on the first floor of the boarding area. It offers catering, internet access, fax and photocopy services, press and flight information, and a smoking area.

Terminal T4S

The Neptuno Lounge (Amnios) is a reserved lounge for non-Schengen flight passengers. It offers catering, press and books, free Wi-Fi, computer equipment, a relaxation area, showers, flight information, and other services.

In addition to the lounges, Madrid-Barajas Airport also offers sleep cabins and premium Air Rooms in Terminal T4 for those who wish to rest or stay overnight.

Sleeping in the public zone

Madrid-Barajas Airport is open 24 hours a day and offers several services for those looking to sleep in the public zone. The airport has free, unlimited WiFi, and travellers can also pay to access first-class lounges with showers. Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 4S have a sprinkling of armrest-free wooden benches, and there are a few comfortable rest areas with padded reclining chairs in Terminal 4S. However, the airport layout offers few private corners and nooks, and the lights are left on overnight, so travellers are advised to bring an eye mask and an extra layer for the cold floors. Security guards will also make their rounds in the morning, waking travellers up as others arrive for their morning flights.

If you are looking for a more comfortable sleeping experience, there are sleep rooms available in Terminal 4. Air Rooms are located in the public area of Terminal T4 on level -1 and are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These rooms offer double or single beds, a private bathroom and shower, a courtesy minibar, and various other amenities. However, these rooms are paid and must be booked in advance.

Nearby hotels

There are several hotels near Madrid Airport, some of which offer free airport shuttles. Here are some options:

• Hotel Maydrit Airport — located 3.2 miles from Madrid's city centre, this hotel offers efficient transportation, friendly staff, and an excellent breakfast.
• Madrid Marriott Auditorium Hotel & Conference Center — this hotel is within 10 minutes' drive of the airport and the IFEMA Trade Fair. It offers a free shuttle service to and from the airport, and has received excellent reviews.
• Clement Barajas Hotel — located 1.6 miles from Madrid's city centre, this hotel offers a shuttle service to and from the airport.
• Ibis Madrid Aeropuerto Barajas — located 0.6 miles from the airport, this hotel offers a 24-hour snack bar, air-conditioned rooms, and free WiFi.
• Hotel Madrid Alameda Aeropuerto Affiliated by Melia — this hotel is located 1.8 miles from the city centre and offers a free shuttle service to and from the airport.
• Hotel Villa de Barajas — located 1.6 miles from the city centre, this hotel offers non-smoking rooms with free WiFi.
• Hotel NH Madrid Barajas Airport — this hotel is near the airport and offers a free shuttle service, comfortable beds, and a relaxing atmosphere.
• Hotel Axor Barajas — this hotel offers a free shuttle service to and from the airport, and has friendly staff.
• Crowne Plaza Madrid Airport — this hotel offers a shuttle service to and from the airport, and allowed one guest to check in for a nap before lunch and a stroll in downtown Madrid.
• Axor Feria Hotel — located 3.2 miles from the city centre, this hotel offers a shuttle service to the airport, clean and comfortable rooms, and a good breakfast.
• Hotel Barajas Plaza — located 1.5 miles from the city centre, this hotel is ideal for a one-night stay near the airport.
• Sercotel Madrid Aeropuerto — located 2.5 miles from the city centre, this hotel is a good choice for a one-night stay near the airport, but also if you're staying for longer and want to use the nearby metro.
• Hotel Don Luis — located 1.5 miles from the city centre, this hotel is described as a "gem of a bygone era in a funky area close to Madrid airport".
• Sercotel Alcalá 611 — located 3.9 miles from the city centre, this hotel was chosen by one guest because of its proximity to the airport, but they also found it to be "very nice", with "wonderful rooms and a nice pool and patio".
• Innside By Meliá Madrid Valdebebas — located 2.2 miles from the city centre, this is a beautiful, brand-new hotel near the airport.
• Senator Barajas Hotel — located 2.5 miles from the city centre, this hotel is convenient for the airport.
• Ac Hotel Madrid Feria — located 3.9 miles from the city centre, this hotel was a "first-class experience" for a guest who stayed there for one night after flying into the nearby airport.
• Globales Acis & Galatea — located 3.8 miles from the city centre, this hotel is close to the airport, has attentive staff, and is near the metro, restaurants, and a walkable neighbourhood.
• B&B Hotel Madrid Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 — located 3.3 miles from the city centre, this hotel has friendly staff, free hot drinks in the lobby, and great rooms.
• Novotel Madrid Campo De Las Naciones Hotel — located 3.3 miles from the city centre, this hotel is well located near the airport and next to the subway.
• Holiday Inn Express Madrid – Airport — located 3.2 miles from the city centre, this hotel is a fantastic choice for those seeking convenience to the airport.
• Hilton Madrid Airport — located 3 miles from the city centre, this hotel has fantastic staff, is impeccably clean, and has spacious rooms. The airport shuttle runs every 30 minutes.
• Hotel Nuevo Boston — located 3 miles from the city centre, this hotel is a great option if you want to stay close to the airport. It offers comfortable and quiet rooms, great facilities, and a wide variety of food at breakfast.
• Air Rooms Madrid Airport by Premium Traveller — located 1.5 miles from the city centre, this small hotel has comfortable rooms in the lower level of Terminal 4 at the airport.

Frequently asked questions