How Long Does It Take to Get From T1 to T4 at Madrid Airport?

By Michael Ferguson

Navigating your way through an unfamiliar airport can be a daunting task, especially if you’re on a tight schedule. If you’re flying into Madrid and need to transfer from Terminal 1 (T1) to Terminal 4 (T4), you may be wondering how long it will take to get there.

The Distance Between T1 and T4

The first thing to note is that T1 and T4 are not connected by a walkway. Instead, they are located on opposite sides of the airport, with a distance of approximately 3.5 kilometers (or 2.2 miles) between them. This means that you’ll need to use some form of transportation to get from one terminal to the other.

Transportation Options

There are several transportation options available for traveling between T1 and T4 at Madrid Airport:

  • Free Shuttle Bus: The airport provides a free shuttle bus service that runs 24/7 between T1, T2, T3, and T4. The journey time between T1 and T4 is around 30 minutes.
  • Metro: Another option is to take Line 8 of the Madrid Metro from Nuevos Ministerios station (located in Terminal 4) to Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 station (located in Terminal 1).

    The journey time is around 15-20 minutes.

  • Taxi: If you’re short on time or have a lot of luggage, taking a taxi may be the most convenient option. The journey time is around 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic.

Factors That Can Affect Journey Time

While the estimated journey times listed above should give you a good idea of how long it will take to get from T1 to T4 (or vice versa), there are several factors that can affect the actual journey time:

  • Traffic: If you’re taking a taxi or shuttle bus, traffic congestion can significantly increase journey time. This is especially true during peak travel times.
  • Walking Distance: If you’re using the free shuttle bus service, keep in mind that you’ll need to walk from the bus stop to your departure gate once you arrive at your terminal.
  • Security Checks: Depending on your itinerary and airline, you may need to go through security checks again when transferring between terminals. This can add extra time to your journey.

Conclusion

In summary, the estimated journey time between T1 and T4 at Madrid Airport is around 15-30 minutes, depending on which transportation option you choose and external factors such as traffic and security checks. It’s always a good idea to allow extra time for unexpected delays and to check with your airline for any specific transfer instructions they may have. With a little planning and preparation, navigating Madrid Airport’s terminals can be a breeze!