Guide: how to get to Madrid-Barajas Airport from the Corredor del Henares

From the Corredor del Henares (the string of towns east of Madrid along the Henares valley), Barajas Airport is very close at hand: the A-2 links Coslada, San Fernando de Henares, Torrejón de Ardoz, Alcalá de Henares and Meco with the approaches to the terminals. To get from the Corredor del Henares to Madrid airport you can go by your own car, by Cercanías (commuter rail) with at least one change, by intercity bus depending on the town, or by taxi, which picks you up at home and has a different fixed price for each town.

The choice depends on where you live along the corridor, on the terminal and on the time of your flight. We explain each alternative and, at the end, what to bear in mind in each town.

By car: the A-2 and its alternatives

The A-2 is the natural route to the airport from the whole corridor. When it is busy, especially at rush hour heading into Madrid, there are alternatives such as the M-40 and the M-50, or the R-2, which is a toll road. Going by car gives you freedom, but you have to add airport parking for every day of the trip. If in doubt, compare them in our article on whether to drive or take a taxi to the airport.

By Cercanías: with a change

Lines C-2 and C-7 run along the corridor with stops in its main towns, but neither reaches the airport. You have to change lines to connect with the train that goes to T4, and from there, if you are flying from another terminal, take the free shuttle bus between terminals. It is cheap, although with suitcases and changes the journey feels long, and there is no service in the early hours.

By intercity bus

Some towns have buses that connect with Madrid or with transport hubs from which you can carry on to the airport. Routes and timetables change, so check with the Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid (the regional transport authority) which connection is available from your town.

By taxi

A taxi goes door to door and does not depend on timetables, which is decisive for first-thing flights. Each town has its fixed fare, the same in both directions, which you can look up in the fares table or on your town's page.

Coslada

It is the town on the corridor closest to Madrid and the airport, with neighbourhoods such as Barrio del Puerto and La Rambla. To book at a fixed price, see the taxi from Coslada.

San Fernando de Henares

Between Coslada and Torrejón, with residential areas and industrial estates next to the A-2. You will find the fare on the taxi in San Fernando de Henares page.

Torrejón de Ardoz

One of the most populous towns on the corridor, with plenty of business travellers thanks to its industrial estates. Its fare is on the taxi in Torrejón de Ardoz page.

Alcalá de Henares

A university city and World Heritage Site, with students and visitors travelling on very specific dates in the academic year. If you are concerned about the cost, read how much it costs to get from Alcalá de Henares to the airport by each means of transport.

Meco

The end of the corridor within the Madrid region, close to the border with Guadalajara. Its Cercanías station is not in the town centre, which matters when choosing. We explain it in how to get from Meco to the airport.

• First-thing flights: public transport does not cover the early hours; book your taxi the afternoon before.
• Rush hour on the A-2: if you leave at rush hour, add a generous buffer to your calculation.
• Groups and families: you pay for a taxi per vehicle; with several passengers, the cost per person comes down.
• Coming home: book your airport pickup with your flight number and avoid the queue at the taxi rank.