Madrid Barajas Airport

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.

Terminals 12 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.

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.

T4 is great. Maybe too big for short time transit. Unfortunately T1T2 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.