Car Rental at Madrid Airport

Airport travel guide

Madrid is a fascinating city to visit. From its imperial architecture to the holy trinity of art museums (Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza), colorful neighborhoods, and one of the most famous football rivalries in the world, the city has something special for every visitor. But the other appeal of Madrid is that it is located in the heart of the country, so plenty of other interesting destinations are just a short drive away. With that in mind, here are five ideas  for day trips from Madrid. If you're visiting during the colder months, you may want to read more about things to do in winter in Madrid.

• Toledo. Located on the banks of the Tagus River, Toledo is known as the Imperial City and also the City of Three Cultures. Christians, Jews, and Muslims have ruled over the city at different times, all leaving their mark on its culture and character. From the Gothic Toledo Cathedral to the Synagogue of El Tránsito and Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, the city has plenty of religious landmarks, as well as other highlights like the El Greco Museum. Every building and sidestreet breathes history. Located about 75 km (46 miles) south of Madrid, Toledo can be reached in about one hour.
• Alcalá de Henares. Part of the so-called Community of Madrid and located just a 40 minute drive from the city center (and significantly closer if you’re starting from the airport or one of the northern or eastern suburbs), Alcalá de Henares is arguably the prettiest of the capital’s satellite towns. Its well-preserved medieval core has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes the University of Alcalá where the prestigious Cervantes Literary Prize is awarded every spring (Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote, was the native of the town and there are several landmarks dedicated to him).
• Ávila. Another notable historical destination, Ávila’s main claim to fame is its old town. Often called the best-preserved historic city center in all of Spain, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by impressive walls that are themselves one of the city’s main attractions, the old town is home to a number of landmarks, not least of which is the Cathedral of the Saviour that’s about 900 years old. Located about 110 km (68 miles) northwest of the capital, Ávila can be reached in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
• Guadarrama National Park. Large and scenic, Guadarrama is the most noticeable nature preserve near Madrid. Named after the mountain range that stretches through the park, Guadarrama is characterized by its snowy peaks, woodlands, small highland lakes, and hiking and climbing opportunities. The area is also home to a lot of birds, not least of which are the Alpine chough and black vulture. Located 120 km (75 miles) northwest of the capital near the medieval city of Segovia, the national park can be reached in about 90 minutes.
• Segovia. Known for its hilltop location, Roman aqueduct, and impressive Gothic cathedral, Segovia is one of the most notable historical attractions in the Castile and Leon region – in fact, the whole city center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located at an elevation of about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet), the city provides a cool refuge from the summer heat but is also lovely to visit during the wintertime as it tends to get quite a lot of snow, making it look even more picturesque than usual. The drive from Madrid to Segovia takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Top international routes

• Palma de Mallorca
• Lisbon
• Tenerife
• Las Palmas
• Rome
• London
• Paris
• Barcelona
• Ibiza
• Amsterdam

Main airlines

Iberia, Air Europa, Ryanair, Iberia Express, Wizz Air, and easyJet

Terminals

The four passenger terminals are T1, T2, T3, and T4. T4 consists of two buildings: T4 and its satellite, T4S. A shuttle bus connects all four terminals. From 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., it runs every five minutes; from 11:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., it runs every ten minutes; and from 2:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m., it runs every twenty minutes. Terminals T4 and T4S are connected via an automatic underground train.

Location

Madrid Airport is 13 km (8 miles) from the city’s historic center. Motorways M-14, E-5, R-3, and M-23 and then Calle de O’Donnell lead from the airport to the city.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $6 per day
• Medium cars - from $9 per day
• Large cars - from $10 per day
• SUVs - from $9 per day
• Vans - from $11 per day
• Premium cars - from $69 per day
• Station wagons - from $47 per day
• Convertibles - from $9 per day

Car rental desks

Some are located in the arrivals halls of Terminal 1 and Terminal 4. The exact location of your car rental provider's desk will be listed on your Confirmation Voucher.

Services and facilities

You’ll find a large number of stores, restaurants, cafeterias and bars, lounges, business facilities, currency exchanges with ATMs, and a help desk. Madrid Airport has three luggage storage facilities. In Terminal 1, the luggage office is located on floor 0, in front of baggage claim 2. In Terminal 2, the luggage office is located on floor 1, in the arrivals hall. In Terminal 4, the luggage office is located on floor 0, in the arrivals hall. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

Two gas stations, both called Gasolina Repsol, are close to Terminal 4. Both have the same address as the airport and are open from 6:00 a.m. to midnight. There are numerous other gas stations nearby.

Popular one-way rentals

• Salamanca (226 km / 140 miles)
• Valladolid (219 km / 136 miles)
• Toledo (98 km / 61 miles)
• Burgos (231 km / 144 miles)
• Zaragoza (309 km / 192 miles)
• Cordoba (419 km / 260 miles)
• Leon (351 km / 218 miles)
• Pamplona (385 km / 239 miles)