Search Flights from Madrid to San Francisco

The Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, also referred to as Madrid-Barajas Airport, is located 12 km from Madrid’s city center. The airport is very easily accessible by taxi, rental car, and public transportation. Taking the train and metro are both convenient and quick transportation alternatives to access Madrid-Barajas Airport.

Rail

To get to the airport by metro from the city center you have to take metro line 8. This line starts from the Nuevos Ministerios Station and provides transportation to every terminal at the airport. This line takes between 12 and 15 minutes to reach the airport. The RENFRE train C1 line, which you can access from the Chamartin, Nuevos Ministerios, Atocha and Principe Pio stations, provides transportation to Terminal 4. The total trip time will vary depending on your location and which station you get on from. It takes 11 minutes to get to the airport from Chamartin and 38 minutes to get to the airport from Principe Pio.

Bus

Airport Express buses are another transportation alternative. These Airport Express buses depart from the Atocha Station. You can access Atocha Station from your location in the city using a different bus line or metro line. When calculating the duration of the trip take the varying traffic conditions into consideration, especially during rush hour. There are also regular public bus services that operate between the city and the airport. For more information on these bus routes please visit Madrid-Barajas Airport’s website.

Airport Information

Located 12 km from the city center,  Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, also referred to as Madrid-Barajas Airport, is the main airport in Madrid, serving both international and domestic flights. Madrid-Barajas Airport consists of 4 terminals, Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and Terminal 4, which was built in 2006. Terminal 4 is the largest terminal in the airport and operates flights for many major airlines such as Turkish Airlines and American Airlines. It is an impressive structure with modern architecture that also features a satellite building, TS4. Terminal 1 is the airport’s oldest building and another major terminal. Many airlines take off and land at Terminal 1. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are smaller in comparison to the others. Terminal 3 is dedicated to flights operated by Lagun Air. There is an airport shuttle bus that runs 24 hours a day, providing inter-terminal transportation.

Internet at the airport is free for the first 15 minutes. In Terminal 4 you can connect to the internet by paying a fee. In Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 you can connect to the internet in the departure lounges, VIP lounges, and restaurant area.

There are various VIP lounges located at the airport. The La Revoltosa and Premium lounges at Terminal 4, La Revoltosa lounge in Terminal 4S, Cibeles lounge in Terminal 1, Puerta de Alcala lounge in Terminal 2, and Puerto del Sol lounge in Terminal 3 are accessible for those with a Priority Pass card. Apart from those there are 3 VIP lounges in Terminal 4 belonging to Iberia Airlines. Madrid-Barajas Airport offers passengers a rich variety of stores where they can go shopping. If you weren’t able to do as much shopping as you would have liked during your time in the city, you can easily make up for it at the airport.

There are many stores at the airport where you can buy various products such as duty free items, food, cosmetics, gifts, electronics, clothing, jewelry, and accessories. While the majority of the stores are located in Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 there are plenty of options in the other terminals as well. The airport is home to many brand name stores such as Adidas, Carolina Herrera, Sunglass Hut, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Massimo Dutti, Zara, and Michael Kors.  

Madrid-Barajas Airport also offers passengers a range of eateries aimed at meeting their pre-flight and post-flight needs. If you want to get a bite to eat or something to drink before or after your flight you can go enjoy familiar venues such as Starbucks, Mc Donald’s, Burger King, Paul, and Lavazza. The airport also features various cafes and restaurants that serve delicious examples of international cuisine. 

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located in San Francisco California, 21 km from the city center. The airport is a major transit center for passengers, particularly those traveling from Asia. San Francisco International is the second busiest airport in California and one of the first major airports to have an automated baggage system in place.  

San Francisco International Airport is an important hub for United Airlines and Virgin America. There are a variety of transportation alternatives available to get to the city center from the airport. You can get to various parts of the city from San Francisco International Airport by taxi, bus, train, rental car, and personal car.

Train

There are two rail systems that you can use to get to the city center from San Francisco International Airport. The first is the BART, a rapid-rail system. The BART station is located in the international terminal at the airport. The BART starts running in the early hours of the morning, providing easy and fast transportation between the airport and the northern and southern parts of the city.

The other rail system that you can use to get to the city center from SFO is the CalTrain. This train departs on the hour, every hour, every day of the week, until 10 pm. This train provides transportation between SFO and San Francisco and San Jose.

Taxi

One of the most convenient and fastest transportation alternatives to get to the city center from SFO is by taxi. Taxi fares are calculated based on the kilometers traveled. A taxi from the airport to downtown San Francisco can cost between 42 and 62 dollars and takes about 20 minutes. Taxis are readily available at each terminal at the airport and depart from the taxi zones located on the arrivals/baggage claim level. For more information on taxi companies and their contact information please visit San Francisco International Airport’s website.

Bus

SamTrans buses provide transportation between San Francisco International Airport and the city center. These public buses are operated by San Mateo County and run between San Francisco International Airport and San Mateo and various parts of San Francisco. SamTrans lines KX, 292, 397, and 398 stop at the airport terminals. Buses stop at the arrivals and baggage claim level of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 and at Level 1 of the International Terminal.

Rental Car

Renting a car is another transportation alternative to get to the city center. There are many rental car companies that have offices at the airport. Renting a car is also a great way to get around the city during your trip. The AirTrain Blue Line provides access to the Rental Car Center from the airport terminals and it operates 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Rental car companies that you can choose from include Alamo, Dollar, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, National, Budget, Fox and Thrifty. If you are traveling between multiple places make sure to specify your vehicle pick up and drop off location.

Bike

San Francisco International Airport contains bike assembly stations and parking areas for those who are traveling with their bike or who want to leave their bike at the airport. The BART and SamTrans rapid rail systems provide passengers with bike/transit options and the airport features marked bicycle routes.