I will be traveling to Madrid soon (so excited!)and would like to take the AeroCity shuttle upon arriving at Barajas. Does anyone know if it is necessary to book this ahead of time? Or is there a booth you go to and get in line? Also, is this available 24hrs? Thanks for any info!

Hello doragil30!

Best thing to do would be to send Aerocity an email to ask about the 24 hour service.

While I'm not certain, I don't think they operate 24 hours. They have (or at least they had) a booth in the public area once you leave baggage claim and pass through the "Nothing to Declare / Nada de Declarar" gate of the T1-T2, but I don't know/think they have a booth in T-4. The booth may be overlooked in T-1/2 so if you don't see it, ask at the many free "i" (for "Information") tourism counters/booths and they can direct you.

I don't think it's now necessary to book ahead of time when flying into Madrid's Barajas Airport but maybe so if you're arriving at an odd or extremely early/late hour. Again, send them an email to ask.

Good luck and enjoy your visit to Madrid and Spain!!

Saludos, MadridMan

Bear in mind that if you want to travel from the airport to Central Madrid .. it´ll only cost you a couple of Euros on the metro which is right there at the airport . The downside to the metro is that the´re aren´t always escalators or elevators so you´ll have to drag luggage up stairs sometimes .
The more expensive ( much more ) that i´ve used many times is a taxi . There are 100s of them at the airport .. It´ll be something like 30-40 Euros into the centre .. The price on the metre will be the basic price and THEN they´ll add on a 5 or 6 Euro airport surcharge ... Notices in the taxi will tell you about this .
Steve

i think it depends on how he is traveling, luggage, small kids, etc. otherwise the metro is a breeze and cheap.

I have heard of the aerocity shuttle, but never needed to use it.

I have used the aero city shuttle on each of my trips to madrid. You may book ahead, and I think the cost may be a smaller amount, but not that much. As you leave the customs area and enter into the terminal itself, travel to your right about 1/2 block. In the area in front of the store marked "Pharmacia" you will see a booth. This is the location for the aero city station. You will get the shuttle service directly outside, but need to check in at the booth first. I do not believe they are open 24 hours per day, but check with them.

MadridMan is right. The best and most efficient way to get from the Barajas to Madrid central is with the Aerocity Shuttle. I have been going to Spain annually now for the past 15 years and ever since hearing of this company and using them, they have never ever been late both coming and going. That being said, they are also very efficient and courteous in their operation. If you are not familiar with the Metro and train system of Madrid, this is your best course of action. Hope that this helps.

Thank you all for your suggestions and info. I will look for the booth when I get there!

thinking of using Aerocity from Madrid (city) to Barajas in the early morning of Aug 6th. We will have lots of baggage and I think it might be the best idea not to hail a cab at that time of the morning (7 am). Does anyone have any opinions or thoughts about Aerocity? Are they reliable for pick up??? thanks

esperanza, we have had lots of reviews, nearly always positive, about the Aerocity service in Madrid - but lately, in the last couple of years, they've kind of "dropped off the map". I was reading a number of not-so-positive reviews about them in the last 6 months about being charged higher fees than what's on their website, non-English-speaking drivers, drop-offs several blocks from the hotel, and no-shows too.

August 6th is a Friday. Still, I would doubt you'd have any trouble getting a cab at 7am. And plus, Aerocity might balk at your request of a pickup at anyplace other than a hotel. Sometime tells me they don't have/use GPS.

But I know what you're saying about having lots of luggage. Hmmm.... You could always contact Aerocity at, at the very least, ask if they could do a residential pickup. While more expensive, you may also consider calling a taxi by phone.

Saludos, MadridMan

well, just to follow up on this: We took the Aerocity shuttle to Barajas airport on Friday and it went very smoothly. I was very nervous about them not picking us up on time, but they were there 10 minutes early and we got to the airport very quickly. We had 4 large suitcases, 5 smaller bags (backpacks, duffle bags, etc.) and we were 2 people going to separate terminals. I was charged 34 euros, which was very fair. I do not think I could have found a taxi to take us with all our baggage. I booked it online and they corresponded with me quickly and efficiently. So, all in all, a good experience with Aerocity.

Nice, thanks for the update esperanza. Something to think about when going with my gang, as alone I use the metro. Cheers

Really glad to hear that Esperanza, as I have used Aerocity often and always been pleased. SO much easier than dealing with Metro or cabs - depending on amount of luggage!
Thanks for the update!

That is good news, esperanza. Thanks for the feedback - which is the first we've had on Aerocity in a good while.

You were going to two different terminals, eh? Should I/we assume one of you two went to T4? Or did one go to, say, Terminal 1 and the other go to Terminal 2? And did you pay up front when you boarded the van with your luggage? Sorry for so many silly (?) questions but logistics interest me. Maybe I should've been an air traffic controller.

Regardless of all of the above, glad you made it home safe and sound.

Saludos, MadridMan

Used Aerocity a few times without too much problems , they even didnt have any problems taking my bike bag.
The only problem I have had with them , was when we came last year with our 1 year old , we told them her age and size , but when we went to get on the bus the only baby seats they had was for toddlers the forward facing kind , so the seat w`s no use.

When we come next month with a 4 month and a 2 year old , im just going to leave our bags at left luggage at the airport and take the metro back into town, then go back for the bags myself later on.

Well to answer you questions: I was leaving from Terminal 4 and my daughter left from Terminal 1. I was let off first and I paid the driver at that point, and then he dropped my daughter off after that. It was 34 euros and I gave him 3 euros as a tip (I have no idea if that was fair??) He was very nice and helped me get the luggage on a cart.

I've just booked this online with my credit card today for pickup from the airport on Saturday (9th). I've not had any sort of confirmation from them though. Anyone know how long it usually takes and whether the payment comes off my credit card or whether we pay the driver?

Nothing was sent to your email account, the one use used when you made the booking?

May I ask if you booked with Aerocity directly through their website or through a booking agency? If the latter, I don't know. If the former, I'd think a confirmation would be sent to you via email. And if you paid/reserved with your credit card it stands to reason that your credit card was charged already. Can you call them (your credit card company) or look at your statement online? Don't pay the driver unless you have some reason to believe that you should.

If I were you, I'd send Aerocity an email RIGHT NOW, asking them this very question - and hope they respond to you immediately - since you're leaving from the U.K. (doh! let the cat out of the bag!) in just two days.

And if all else fails, just go to the Aerocity counter at the airport and tell them your story. If they don't have you on the reserved list they'll still make room for you - although you may have to wait until the next (shared) shuttle. Still, this doesn't guarantee you that you won't be charged first by your credit card company (if you can't contact them to see) and then, again, by Aerocity.

Please do let us all know how it pans out. I am curious!!

Saludos, MadridMan

Thanks for the reply.

I booked with aerocity's website and have now received the confirmation e-mail, it came late last night and it includes a printable booking confirmation so I'm much happier now.

My card hasn't been charged and on the booking it says the amount is to be paid in cash so I assume the credit card is just to guarantee the booking and they will charge it if you don't turn up.

Just need someone to sort the weather out now as its forecast heavy rain all weekend :-(

Danny - I have used aerocity several times in the past, each time using the credit card as you apparently did. Each time I actually was asked to pay in cash when I got to the ticket counter, and the credit card was not charged...apparently it is used as a guarantee. This next trip I plan to use the new express bus as it will be going to my destination.

I have used Aerocity for the past 6 or 7 years and have been very pleased. I made reservations online for transport from Barajas to hotel and back again for a return date(which I confirm at the airport before heading to my hotel after my arrival in Madrid).

It is important for people to know that your driver may stop to drop off and/or to pick up other passengers en route. It is sometimes nerve wracking when we are waiting for someone to be picked up en our return to airport and the customer is not there or is not yet ready. However, I found that the driver does not wait long before heading out (many times without the "pick up"--for which he has called his supervisor to report that he was unable to locate customer, etc.). The driver seems well aware of their time constraints. So, be ready for your pick up!

I have reserved through their web site and requested a quote for transport. A response to my email followed within the business day.