Madrid Airport (MAD) to La Latina: complete transport guide

La Latina is one of Madrid's most atmospheric old-town quarters, famous for the Sunday Rastro flea market, the tapas streets around Cava Baja and the medieval Plaza de la Paja. It is 15 km south-west of Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport and sits inside the M-30 ring (€33 fixed taxi fare applies).

How do the options compare?

OptionOperatorDurationPriceFrequency
Metro Line 8 → Line 10 → Line 1 → Line 5Metro de Madrid50 min€4.50–5.00Every 5–7 min
Cercanías C-1 to Sol + 12 min walkRenfe Cercanías40 min€2.60Every 30 min
Express Aeropuerto + EMT 35EMT Madrid55 min€6.50Every 15–35 min
Official taxi (fixed €33 city-centre fare)Asociación Gremial del Auto-Taxi de Madrid30–45 min€33 fixedOn demand at official ranks
Cabify / Uber / BoltCabify, Uber, Bolt30–45 min€25–35On demand via app

Metro Line 8 → Line 10 → Line 1 → Line 5?

Line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios, Line 10 to Tribunal, Line 1 to Sol, Line 5 one stop to La Latina station. Three transfers but predictable timing.

  • Operator: Metro de Madrid
  • Duration: 50 min
  • Price: €4.50–5.00
  • Frequency: Every 5–7 min
  • Where to board: Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 or T4
  • Notes: Long route with multiple transfers; consider a taxi instead with heavy luggage.

Source: Metro Madrid tariffs

Cercanías C-1 to Sol + 12 min walk?

C-1 to Sol, then walk south via Calle Mayor and Calle de Toledo into La Latina. Pleasant route past Plaza Mayor.

  • Operator: Renfe Cercanías
  • Duration: 40 min
  • Price: €2.60
  • Frequency: Every 30 min
  • Where to board: Terminal 4, level –1
  • Notes: Cheapest; the 12-min walk is downhill — good for arrivals, less appealing for departures with luggage.

Source: Renfe Cercanías Madrid

Express Aeropuerto + EMT 35?

Express Aeropuerto to Atocha, then EMT bus 35 westbound to Puerta de Toledo / Plaza de la Cebada (La Latina edge). Cheap but slow.

  • Operator: EMT Madrid
  • Duration: 55 min
  • Price: €6.50
  • Frequency: Every 15–35 min
  • Where to board: T1, T2, T4 outside arrivals
  • Notes: After midnight only the Express bus runs; from Atocha take a short taxi (~€8).

Source: EMT line 203

Official taxi (fixed €33 city-centre fare)?

La Latina is inside M-30, so €33 flat fare applies. Drivers will drop you on the wider streets (Calle Toledo, Plaza Mayor) — many La Latina alleys are pedestrian.

  • Operator: Asociación Gremial del Auto-Taxi de Madrid
  • Duration: 30–45 min
  • Price: €33 fixed
  • Frequency: On demand at official ranks
  • Where to board: Official rank at each terminal
  • Notes: Best balance of speed and price for groups going to a Cava Baja restaurant or Airbnb.

Source: Madrid City Council taxi rules

Cabify / Uber / Bolt?

Drop-off at Plaza de la Cebada, Calle Toledo or Puerta de Toledo. Inside La Latina streets are narrow.

  • Operator: Cabify, Uber, Bolt
  • Duration: 30–45 min
  • Price: €25–35
  • Frequency: On demand via app
  • Where to board: VTC pick-up zones at T1 floor 0 / T4 floor –1
  • Notes: Sunday morning Rastro flea market closes many central streets — expect detours.

When should you pick each option?

  • Metro 8+10+1+5: Cheapest with light luggage; tolerable for solo travellers.
  • Cercanías + walk: Most pleasant approach if you can carry your bag downhill from Sol.
  • Express bus + EMT 35: Budget option at off-peak hours; avoid Sundays during Rastro.
  • Fixed €33 taxi: Best for groups, families and Sunday Rastro avoidance.
  • Cabify / Uber / Bolt: Often cheapest solo off-peak.

What are the practical tips?

  • Sunday Rastro morning (08:00–14:00) closes most streets — your taxi will drop you outside the market perimeter.
  • La Latina tapas streets are best after 21:00 — plan a late arrival to skip queues.
  • Plaza de la Paja is car-free; for hotels on it, use the Calle Costanilla de San Andrés vehicle access.
  • From T1/T2/T3 use the free inter-terminal shuttle to T4 before catching Cercanías (10 extra minutes).

Data last verified: 2026-05-13.