Just read from "JEFF_" on the Fodor's forum that he used the Madrid Express Bus service from Atocha to Barajas on 6 November. He said he got the bus on street level just outside the circular part of Atocha (cercanías) which houses the escalators. I'm gathering the bus stop he mentions, one with a vertical yellow sign, faces the cylindrical glass structure commemorating the victims of the 2004 Madrid Train Bombings.

He wrote...

Quote:
JEFF_ on Nov 7, 10 at 4:50pm

Yes! The Airport Express is running. I took it yesterday from the Atocha-Renfe station. It leaves every 15 minutes Monday to Friday, and every 20 minutes on weekends and holidays. It costs 2€ and took about 30 minutes with little traffic.

The stop at Atocha is just outside the round Cercanias building on the upper street level. This is at the easterly side of the main station above where the Cercanias platforms are. Take the escalators to top. The stop is marked by a vertical yellow sign. Pay the driver.

They're new bright yellow buses and have plenty of space for luggage on board (not underneath) and seating for a couple dozen people with lots of standing space.

It makes two other quick stops (Plaza de Cibeles and O'Donnell) before getting to the airport. It makes three stops at the airport: Terminal 1 departures, Terminal 2 departures and Terminal 4. At Terminal 4, the stop is at the upper arrivals level, so you have to take the elevator or escalators to the departure area. It runs to and from Atocha between 6:00 AM and 11:30 PM. Between 11:30 and 6:00 AM, it only goes as far as Plaza de Cibeles.

It was fast, efficient and couldn't be any handier - or cheaper.
_________________________
Visit BarcelonaMan.com for Barcelona information, Transportation, Lodging, & much MUCH more!

Curious about what could POSSIBLY be inside the brain of MadridMan? Visit MadridMan's Madrid Blog