MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT   Passenger Reviews & Customer Opinions

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT customer review :  18 March 2010 : by A Klein   (USA)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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This airport is not well-suited for business travelers. There are no electrical plugs to be found anywhere. You must bring your computer's battery fully charged from home, and use it while you wait for your connection. And then, of course, you may have no battery left on your next flight. Definitely not recommended if you plan on bringing a laptop computer.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT customer review :  9 March 2010 : by D Manning   (UK)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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Terminals 1/2/3 are gigantic and dated, and the walk from the Metro to the terminals (particularly Terminal 1) is a trek. But having just flown into and out of Madrid this past weekend, the signs regarding the supplemental fare are all over the place. They're on the trains (in English and Spanish), on platforms, vending machine screens, on station walls, even on large stickers on the floors. That supplemental fare of one euro is peanuts on top of the normal fare, which is also one euro. I'm not aware of that many capital cities in Europe where you can get from the airport to the centre for two euro. So the layout of Terminal 1/2/3 leaves much to be desired but I had minimal queuing times when I travelled.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT customer review :  6 March 2010 : by Sean Moore   (USA)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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I cannot fathom why some people are giving this airport favorable reviews. I grant you it's a very modern and clean airport, but the place is a monster. It's GIGANTIC. Really, I think the airport planners are guilty of overkill because Barajas is just too big and poorly laid-out to be functional. During my first time here I got lost and wound up doubling back and going through immigration about two or three times. Flying out, it took me literally about 40 minutes to get from the airport Metro station to my departure gate inside Zone U (if I hadn't been jogging most of the way, it probably would've taken even longer). I was there the day after the strikes in France which made the situation even more chaotic. As a result, the lines were long and most airport staff were predictably unenthusiastic. The airport is directly connected to the Metro (which is convenient) however there is a poorly-publicised supplemental fee to enter or exit the Metro from the airport, on top of the fare itself. Non-European passengers should bear this in mind before they burn up all of their euros on their way out of Europe, because another HUGE problem is that none of the airport merchants (including the Metro kiosks) accept credit cards or ATM cards which aren't Spanish. I learned this the hard way.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT customer review :  17 February 2010 : by S Ketch   (Netherlands)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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Terminals 1,2 and 3. What a terrible, terrible place to be! Had to spend a night there, it was a pure nightmare. Dirty, small, cold, no chairs whatsoever. The way from metro to the check in takes ages (up to 15 mins), so dont be late. Spain should be ashamed of this place.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT customer review :  15 February 2010 : by Miles Canne   (Spain)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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Terminal 4. Wonderful design, spotlessly clean, and courteous, efficient security staff. Marred by rude immigration personnel, overpriced catering outlets that don't accept cards and keep bizarre opening times, and on 1st February, 2210 arrival, an 80 minute wait at baggage reclaim. In my experience this is standard, irrespective of airline/alliance.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT customer review :  9 February 2010 : by M Alonso   (Spain)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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T4 is great. Maybe too big for short time transit. Unfortunately T1,T2 and T3 doesn't reach today's standard. Transfer to satellite T4 is fast and effective, but sadly it doesn't give that service to the old terminals which make transfers very inconvenient.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT customer review :  16 December 2009 : by E Ferwerda   (USA)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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Used Terminal 4. Found it quite impressive and functional in terms of size/layout. Customs/immigration lines on the way in (arriving from Dublin) and check-in/security lines on the way out were virtually non-existent. Iberia check-in agent was very friendly. I cannot comment on the baggage claims as I did not check any bags on either flight. Very clean and well-lit. The direct connection with the Metro is particularly convenient. Shopping and food is adequate and reasonably priced. All in all a satisfactory experience.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT customer review :  16 December 2009 : by J Segal   (USA)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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Only about 15-20 minutes through immigration /custom process. Longish walk (from T1) to Metro station, but was at my hotel 60 minutes after landing. Very nice indeed. Departure on 14 Dec. Easy check in and security. Normal eating and shopping options, nothing to rave about but a great airport to use. Poor rating is due to bathrooms needing tending to. they were disgusting.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT customer review :  30 November 2009 : by Victor Paniagua   (USA)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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Arrived at MAD on 09/12/09 from JFK around 9 am and connecting to Venice Italy. We had 2 hrs. layover so that's about what we have had at many other airports and no problems. There were long lines for security checks and an officer was sending people to shorter lines depending on their layover times. I asked a couple times to be sent to one of those lines as they were moving very slowly, and he said "you have plenty of time". Well, to make it short. There were endless ups and downs to too many different floors. and very long terminals. Good thing my girlfriend heard the "last call" for our flight We saw in the far distance about 100 meters our gate. They were getting ready to depart. We quickly stopped and asked one gate attendant to call and tell them we were on our way. The Iberia crew at plane's door were not friendly and one was actually rude.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT customer review :  30 November 2009 : by C Giraud   (France)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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My experience is positive. Yes, it's a big terminal, but MAD is a big airport! The train between T4 and T4S is an example of how terminal transfers can be made in an effective way. In both terminal there is plenty of space to move around, and a decent offer of restaurants and shopping (the omnipresent Zara included). The baggage claim is impressive and so far my experience is OK in terms of time. Cons : friendliness of security check staff.

MADRID BARAJAS AIRPORT customer review :  25 November 2009 : by Christian Chaya  (Greece)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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Arrived at Barajas from FRA at about 20.00. Terminal was empty and with dim light. Monitors displaying luggage belt assignment were either duct taped or missing their back covers. The airport is ugly, lack of style and signage could be improved. Could not visit terminal 4, but seemed a modern and efficient terminal from a distance. The airport lacks garbage cans and had to carry my bottle of Soda until I realized that the garbage cans were located outside the terminals. I commend the spanish authorities for their security concerns but there must be an alternative solution.

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

Customer Rating :  3/5

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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 customer review :  16 October 2009 : by John Duffus  (Thailand)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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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 customer review :  3 September 2009 : by Maria Chacon  (Spain)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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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 customer review :  18 August 2009 : by Bernardo Pereira  (Portugal)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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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 customer review :  13 August 2009 : by David Leston  (UK)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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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 customer review :  14 July 2009 : by Alan Mosley  (UK)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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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 customer review :  27 May 2009 : by B Smith  (UK)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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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 customer 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 customer 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 customer 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 customer 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 customer 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 customer 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.