Madrid Airport (MAD) to Príncipe Pío station: complete transport guide

Príncipe Pío is one of Madrid's three major intermodal hubs (with Atocha and Chamartín), serving Renfe long-distance trains to Galicia and Extremadura, Cercanías commuter lines and three Metro lines. It sits 13 km south-west of Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, inside the M-30 ring.

How do the options compare?

OptionOperatorDurationPriceFrequency
Cercanías C-1 + Línea RRenfe Cercanías30 min€4.10Every 15–30 min
Metro Line 8 → Line 10 → Line 6Metro de Madrid45 min€4.50–5.00Every 5–7 min
Express Aeropuerto + Metro Line 6 from CibelesEMT Madrid + Metro60 min€6.50Every 15–35 min, 24 h
Official taxi (fixed €33 city-centre fare)Asociación Gremial del Auto-Taxi de Madrid25–35 min€33 fixedOn demand at official ranks
Cabify / Uber / BoltCabify, Uber, Bolt25–35 min€20–30On demand via app

Cercanías C-1 + Línea R?

Take the C-1 from T4 to Pirámides or Atocha and change to lines C-7 / C-10 toward Príncipe Pío. Alternatively, Cercanías C-1 stops at Pirámides — 1 stop south of Príncipe Pío on line C-7.

  • Operator: Renfe Cercanías
  • Duration: 30 min
  • Price: €4.10
  • Frequency: Every 15–30 min
  • Where to board: Terminal 4 Cercanías station
  • Notes: Cheapest combined option. Buy a 'combinado' if you have a Renfe long-distance ticket from Príncipe Pío.

Source: Renfe Cercanías

Metro Line 8 → Line 10 → Line 6?

Line 8 from the airport to Nuevos Ministerios, Line 10 to Plaza de España, Line 6 (circle) one stop to Príncipe Pío. Three transfers but predictable.

  • Operator: Metro de Madrid
  • Duration: 45 min
  • Price: €4.50–5.00
  • Frequency: Every 5–7 min
  • Where to board: Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 or T4
  • Notes: Includes €3 airport supplement. The Príncipe Pío Metro exits open directly into the train station concourse.

Source: Metro Madrid tariffs

Express Aeropuerto + Metro Line 6 from Cibeles?

Express Aeropuerto bus 203 to Cibeles, then Metro Line 2 to Ópera and Line 6 to Príncipe Pío.

  • Operator: EMT Madrid + Metro
  • Duration: 60 min
  • Price: €6.50
  • Frequency: Every 15–35 min, 24 h
  • Where to board: T1, T2, T4
  • Notes: Slowest but the only round-the-clock option. After 23:30 the bus terminates at Atocha — transfer there instead.

Source: EMT line 203

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

Príncipe Pío is inside M-30, so the €33 flat fare applies. Drop-off at the main station entrance on Paseo de la Florida.

  • Operator: Asociación Gremial del Auto-Taxi de Madrid
  • Duration: 25–35 min
  • Price: €33 fixed
  • Frequency: On demand at official ranks
  • Where to board: Official rank at each terminal
  • Notes: Best for late-night arrivals heading to a Renfe long-distance train at Príncipe Pío.

Source: Madrid City Council taxi rules

Cabify / Uber / Bolt?

Drop-off at the station main entrance. Usually cheaper than fixed taxi for solo travellers off-peak.

  • Operator: Cabify, Uber, Bolt
  • Duration: 25–35 min
  • Price: €20–30
  • Frequency: On demand via app
  • Where to board: VTC zones (T1 floor 0, T4 floor –1)
  • Notes: Surge pricing on Sunday evenings and rainy days.

When should you pick each option?

  • Cercanías C-1 + Línea R: Fastest and cheapest; the textbook option from T4.
  • Metro 8+10+6: Useful if Cercanías is suspended (rare).
  • Express bus + Metro: Only 24-hour option.
  • Fixed €33 taxi: Best for late-night arrivals with a long-distance ticket departing soon.
  • Cabify / Uber / Bolt: Solo traveller off-peak — cheaper than fixed taxi.

What are the practical tips?

  • Príncipe Pío handles Renfe long-distance trains to Galicia, Extremadura and Castilla y León — check that your AVE departs from here (some leave from Chamartín instead).
  • The Tren de la Fresa heritage train to Aranjuez departs from Príncipe Pío, not Atocha.
  • Príncipe Pío has the smallest Renfe long-distance ticket office in Madrid — buy online to skip queues.
  • The shopping mall above the station (Centro Comercial Príncipe Pío) is open till 22:00 with food court for early arrivals.

Data last verified: 2026-05-13.