MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review :  19 November 2009 : by Erich Koller  (Switzerland)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Arriving and leaving MAD same day for a business meeting. Arrival painless with easy "Schengen" style immigration and into the taxi approx 15 minutes after arrival at dock. Departure terminal 1 more of a problem with old and shabby infrastructure and handling agent staff not too helpful to change flights. However overall an okay experience.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review :  16 October 2009 : by John Duffus  (Thailand)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

As one who has travelled regularly for more than 30 years, I like to think I can navigate my way around airports. Madrid's Terminal 4 is the first to have defeated me! Arriving on BA, I was impressed by its brightness and colour, not realising I would then have a trip of almost epic proportions to get to the baggage claim area. I was almost exhausted! Checking in was just as difficult. Told by BA staff that I had to use the automatic check-in machines, none would accept my business class reservation! So it was back to the desk for a quick check-in and then, I hoped, some shopping. The security check seemed to take forever. Thereafter I got lost. The direction signs appeared to be misleading, even though I checked several times. Even finding the Iberia lounge took considerable time, and when there I discovered it does not have WiFi - only old-style connections (and you must bring your own cable!). Why, I wonder, is this airport/Terminal such a crazy maze of a place? I gave up on the shopping.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review :  3 September 2009 : by Maria Chacon  (Spain)

Customer Rating :  4/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Madrid Airport Barajas Terminal 4, beautiful, spacious design. However, too big to get around and to get to the take-off area, especially the satellite gates, you have to take a train, going up-and-down stairs - an unnecessary design for such a terminal. Business lounges are good, but not clearly indicated. Luggage claim is a pain process, long waiting time as compare to other airports.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review :  18 August 2009 : by Bernardo Pereira  (Portugal)

Customer Rating :  4/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Madrid's Terminal 4 is quite comfortable for connections such as the one I have just experienced between Lisbon and Pamplona (2 hours connecting time). The walking circuits are slightly too extensive and line-ups for delayed flights (a typical problem with Iberia) can collide with the passenger circuits between gates at this hub as I experienced when on a very short connection one month ago at peak hours. Nonetheless the architecture is great, and the terminal is spacey with excellently day and night lighting. Unlike Terminals 2 and 3 which are a traveller's maze and uncomfortable, (I don't know Terminal 1), Terminal 4 is comprehensive and easy to get around, as long as you're not in a rush to get to your flight and may have to push your way through crowds.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review :  13 August 2009 : by David Leston  (UK)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

The airport (Terminal 4) is very impressive, clean and spacious, but it is staffed with utterly indifferent people who give erroneous information and show no interest in passenger questions. There are too few departures boards, which are hard to find, but you'd better find one yourself - because none of the staff is likely to help you out.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review :  14 July 2009 : by Alan Mosley  (UK)

Customer Rating :  2/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

My comments apply to T4. Been through this building (and T4S) 4 times in last few weeks. Yes, the structure looks stunning, but what a shame that practicalities don't measure up. As other reviewers have commented, the 'smoking areas' simply don't work - the whole departures floor stinks. The refusal to use the PA system to make flight announcements (even for gate changes), combined with conflicting information on the Departures boards, and a complete lack of Iberia staff, makes for confused and frustrated passengers. And the only place serving half-decent food is extortionately expensive.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review :  27 May 2009 : by B Smith  (UK)

Customer Rating :  4/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Terminal 1, 730am flight. I use this every couple of months and the same comments largely apply. Security and passport control are fine at this time of the day and are done in about 10 minutes. Some of the boarding areas (B26-29 for example) have had the seating moved back to create more queuing space for lo-cost flights. In T1, as ever, nothing whatsoever is open at 7am, your only source of refreshment is vending machines. Quite a lot of the ongoing refurbishment now appears largely complete although I didn't see any of the promised 40 new shops and restaurants. Return was fine too, with luggage arriving within 10 minutes - the absolute opposite of the terrible experiences of T4. Even the taxi queue at T1 is now being marshalled to a reasonable standard to prevent queue-jumping.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 26 May 2009 : by Miles Canne

Customer Rating : 2/5

Terminal 1 is nice and clean landside, but airside, people just smoke and leave litter wherever they want to; which is seriously out of step with other "major world hubs". Rapid processing through security and passport control, but very aggressive personnel. Don't bother to try and speak Spanish: they'll just laugh in your face. Same extends to retail and catering outlets which are mediocre and massively overpriced. And be warned, they don't all accept non- Spanish issued dedit/credit cards.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 21 May 2009 : by Vincent Fissore

Customer Rating : 1/5

This is my third review of Barajas airport, and each time, it is getting worse and worse!!! Used the airport on the Labour Day weekend. To start with, getting a ticket was the closes thing to hell, because there were only 4 ticketing officers for roughly 750 people! Security shouted at us and shoved us to pass the control (and when the odd passenger complained, ultimate humiliation seemed to be the only retaliation method for the controllers). Shops were full and vendors shouted at passengers to speed up and grab anything they wanted. Finally, gate for the IB8755 flight for Nice changed 4 times with no announcements! Frankly, they have to put customers first sometime!

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 18 May 2009 : by S Srinivasan

Customer Rating : 3/5

The airport is pleasant enough, with plenty of seating areas and an airy, open feel. There also seem to be plenty of shops to pass the time in. Passport control was a breeze, and only took a few minutes to clear as they had lots of counters open. The metro stop right at the terminal entrance is also a plus, enabling you to save 30+ Euros compared to a cab ride. Security lines were a bit long, though, and good luck finding someone who speaks English if your Spanish isn't very good. The airport's big downfall, though, is its immense size - the walking times between terminals/gate areas can be immense, especially if you have to go from the T4S satellite terminal back to T4, or vice versa (and good luck if you have to go to T1/T2/T3). I sure wouldn't want to have a connection here, unless I had 3-4 hours between flights. Baggage wait times are also atrocious - it took better than an hour to collect them, and bags were making it onto the belt 2-3 at a time at intervals of a couple of minutes.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 16 April  2009 : by N Barnsley

Customer Rating : 4/5

Previous comments I've posted about long delays at T4's baggage reclaim, unfortunately, still hold true; in fact, if my most recent experience is anything to go by, they've actually got worse. Many of the catering outlets keep odd hours, and some don't accept credit/debit cards. But the bottlenecks that were common at passport control seem to have smoothed out, and the signing has been improved. Procedures at security and customs continue to be highly professional and efficient, and the staff courteous. Although the terminal and its satellite are huge, lots of escalators, mechanical walkways and the connecting underground train reduce distances and walking time. Furthermore, all the terminals at Barajas are amongst the cleanest and best maintained that I've encountered anywhere in the world.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 8 April  2009 : by P Herman

Customer Rating : 2/5

It´s probably a 5 star airport for it's ability to whisk you into town in 20 minutes with the very convenient metro, and if shops are your thing head to terminals 3 and 4 post-security, but overall I´ll rate it 2 stars for it´s "designated smoking areas". They are almost completely open, not ventilated properly, and you can smell smoke almost everywhere in the terminals. Announcements on the PA system ask smokers to use them to - get this - create a more pleasing environment!! Please join the 21st century and end smoking at Barajas airport or at least make smokers go to a sealed off area.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 13 January 2009 : by Lars Schmidt

Customer Rating : 3/5

After passing to MAD Terminal 4 it is not too bad. Toilets, shops and snackbars are more or less every 250 mtrs and also a McDonalds Restaurant in the middle of the Departure Hall is available. But if you have to reach a connecting flight and you arrive at H27 and depart at K94 you must be able to walk very fast. Long ways and very slow travelators.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 13 January 2009 : by N Barnsley

Customer Rating : 4/5

Departed from and arrived at T4 over the recent holiday period. 40 minute wait for baggage reclaim on return, which seems standard at this terminal. Staff, in general, are efficient and the airport is clean and well maintained, but signage on arrival is still confusing.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 19 December 2008 : by Vincent Fissore

Customer Rating : 2/5

Used Terminal 4 to go from MAD to NCE on Iberia Air Nostrum. Check-In fast and efficient, staff friendly, and, if you are lucky, speaks English. Security was another story. Staff were rude, complained, moaned at more or less everyone who passed through. The Guardia Civil seemed to be useless here, doing nothing more than to shout racial slurs towards African passengers and to laugh at anything which could happen to people going through security. Lots of choice for food, drinks and magazines/newspapers/books. Flight was on time.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 1 December 2008 : by J Kresge

Customer Rating : 4/5

We found Terminal 4 very easy to navigate and the connection to the center of Madrid by Metro is very easy. Check in on our return trip was easy and we passed through security on a Sunday Morning to be very easy, even with a 3 year old in tow. Prices on food and beverages are on par with other European airports, not very cheap but comparable to a stop at an Autogrill on the Italian Autostrada. Terminal was clean and very well lit and the bathrooms were clean.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 30 November 2008 : by Eduardo Räuchle

Customer Rating : 4/5

Reading the other reviews, especially about T1-T2-T3, I would like to add my opinion: renovation works at T1-T2 are mostly finished and consisted only of changing ceiling panels and lighting. Restaurants and bars charge civil prices for basic food (while at other airports, catering outlets practice extortion of the "hostage" public), duty free shops are well stocked and you can walk about during a longer layover to see more shops and eateries. Security checks have always been efficient and professional, and if there were any queues, progress was fast. Signage is clear and information monitors are plenty. Smoking is restricted to enclosed smoking areas. Transport to and from the airport is convenient with public (metro and bus) and private transport. Parking fees can be less than a Euro for parking less than an hour for picking up passengers. T1-T2-T3 are nothing out of this world, but get the job done beautifully: being no hassle to use, they're one of my favourites! A tip to foreigners: don't be shy to ask people for directions, Spaniards are approachable. The phrase "¿Habla inglés?" (Do you speak English?) gets you very far.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 21 October 2008 : by Kevin Tunnicliffe

Customer Rating : 4/5

Terminal 4 appears to be some way from the main part of the airport and access to the departure areas is a long, underground train ride from the main concourse. That said, the terminal is bright, clean and efficient in all ways except for the baggage handling when we arrived. The terminal was not busy and yet it took almost an hour for the bags to arrive from the plane. Immigration and emigration were swift and efficient. Get the baggage handling right and this would be a very good airport to use.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 11 October 2008 : by Sri Narayan

Customer Rating : 4/5

If you have to connect to and from T4 to either T1, 2, or 3, then, please add an additional 30 to 45 minutes time. Signage in Spain in general is confusing for people used to US signage. For example the "down" arrow means "straight-ahead". This may be completely logical for some people, but not for others. There is a bus that runs from T4 to the other terminals and back. I arrived in an inter-city bus to T4 from Valladolid. Please note that all intercity buses come to T4 at Barajas. I flew out of T1. Security check and passport control took less than 5 minutes at 10AM. Duty free is expensive, as expected in Europe. There are a couple of places to eat. Nothing exciting in T1. however, you can have a nice view of the planes from the cafe area near the B-gates. Pay-phones are plenty. There are "official-looking" people selling phone cards right near the phones! Also note that a tourism office is in the airport in all terminals; money-changer is present before and after check-in. Toilets are clean. One final note - the Metro subway system is at T-4. It can get real crowded - if you have luggage, I suggest a taxi. Taxis in Madrid are notorious for overcharging people who dont speak Spanish well.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 29 July 2008 : by David Lunn

Customer Rating : 5/5

Having read various reviews of connecting at Madrid I spent two days worrying about the amount of time we had to connect (90 minutes) at Madrid. I even tried to change our flights. From exiting the plane at Madrid in Terminal 4 it took exactly 20 minutes to get via the passenger train to our gate in Terminal 4S. The signs were clear and excellent - the staff we checked with on our walk were friendly.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 3 July 2008 : by N Barnsley

Customer Rating : 4/5

Terminal One. Through check-in, passport control and security in no time and everyone very polite and efficient. Same on the return - only marred by a long, long wait for bags to come through; which is unusual at T1. The terminal is in the process of being refurbished and it's looking good. There are now more catering outlets airside, offering a much improved - and reasonably priced - selection of hot and cold food and drinks. Good to see that there are still plenty of seating areas and just enough retail outlets for those who want to shop. UK airports please take note!

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT review : 28 June 2008 : by L Eames

Customer Rating : 4/5

I like T4, but it is huge, almost a kilometre from one end to the other. If your plane docks at one end, it's a 15 min walk to the baggage collection area. In the centre there is a selection of shops and cafes. Try to avoid flying into T4 and out of any of the other terminals, as it is a ten minute bus journey between (buses every 15 mins). Even with only hand luggage, it took 45 mins to get to the gate of T1 from T4. If you are flying out of T1,2 or 3, it would be quicker to use Spanair rather than Iberia, as they dock at T2. For a busy airport, it doesn't have the frenetic crush of Heathrow.

Madrid Barajas Airport review by A Macarron

17 June 2008   Customer Rating : 

I think T4 is an impressive terminal, one that Madrid should be proud of. However, baggage delivery is still a major problem that AENA, the airport authority, has not managed to solve. Yesterday I arrived to MAD T4 from TXL. The Iberia A320 was parked at a gate that was literally 3 minutes away from the baggage claim area. But we had to wait for 50 minutes for our suitcase to be delivered!!! This is just not acceptable and it happens all the time. Conclusion: for my next trip I will look for airlines that use T1, T2 or T3. Sorry for Iberia!

Madrid Barajas Airport review by Julian Berg

28 May 2008   Customer Rating : 

The new terminal 4 is a beautiful disaster. Just from getting off the plane to leaving the airport now takes 40 mins extra. I now always use terminals 1-3.

Madrid Barajas Airport review by Michael Fadjar

5 May 2008   Customer Rating : 

This is a Heaven compared to Frankfurt! True, terminal 1-3 have seen better days but they, along with the immaculate T4, do the basic job what any airport must do: efficient immigration, efficient custom and efficient security check. I have used this airport perhaps a dozen times for the past 1 year and surprisingly I find it a lot cleaner, quieter and better managed than other major European airports. Luggage in T4 could take a bit long to collect.

Madrid Barajas Airport review by Malcolm Smith

26 March 2008   Customer Rating : 

If you are connecting at T4s and expect to get something to eat then good luck. There is a burger place and a tapas bar and that's it. Beautiful building, nice shops but it's all style and no content.

Madrid Barajas Airport review by B Smith

23 March 2008   Customer Rating : 

The quality of the Barajas Experience is almost entirely down to which terminal you end up using. Most of T1 is old and a bit tired but generally fairly quick to get in and out of, although buses are quite often used from departure gates. Beware that catering is minimal, expensive and very poor quality. There's a lot of refurbishment going on, but it's mostly to the shopping areas, it seems. It's a long walk to/from the metro stop, and the taxi rank tends to be a chaotic free for all. T2/3 for domestic and some European flights is very easy to use, usually with very efficient security checks and short waits for baggage reclaim. Again, catering is a right mess, with nothing you'd want to try unless you were desperate. Metro is right outside, taxi rank reasonably organised. T4 is enormous and generally efficient in terms of security and passport control (one trick for EU passport holders is to go for any available desk at the control in T4S and not wait for the EU only ones). Information is at a premium (there were apparently no clocks at all when the place opened), with sparse TV monitors - especially in T4S where, perhaps cleverly, they are in the cafes! Most frustrating is arrival with, as a rule, a 45-minute wait for luggage at reclaim (and keep your eye out at the top of the escalator for the only set of monitors showing which carousel to go to! Taxi pick-up here is the complete opposite of T1, with marshalls generally keeping things in pretty strict order. It's notable that in general Barajas has almost no high street franchise restaurants (a couple, including a Starbucks, have now crept into T4). Anyone flying out from T1 before 7am should not expect anything to be open at all - and T4 is not much better.

Madrid Barajas Airport review by R Lopez

22 March 2008   Customer Rating : 

Nothing ever has gone wrong with my luggage. Barajas has 2 cheap and clean metro stations (one in T2 and one in T4) that links in like 15 minutes with the city centre. It is true that T4 is huge, and T4S is also very big, and time needed to reach a boarding gate may be also big but, that's why only long-haul flights are boarded using T4S. I might agree with some posters about the pricey food, and the insufficient amount of restaurants. About immigration booths being understaffed, New York or London is much worse.