ES_PASS Workshop: Industrialization of Abstract Interpretation 2009

Oct. 28, 2009, Madrid, Spain

From the airport to Madrid and UPM

We explain here how to reach Madrid center (including the suggested hotels) and also UPM from Madrid Barajas airport.

The main airport of Madrid is Barajas International Airport, roughly 20 minutes driving from the center of Madrid. Depending on your flight, you will arrive to/depart from either the older part of the airport (terminals T1, T2 and T3), or the newer part (terminal T4). T4 is a huge complex in itself that is physically separated from T1-T2-T3, and has its own Metro station. It can take quite a while to commute between T1-T2-T3 and T4.
There are several ways to reach downtown Madrid from the airport:

Taxi.
You can take a taxi, which will typically cost you 25-35 euros. Official taxis are white, with a red diagonal stripe, and they always line up at the exit of the airport lounges.
- To UPM: see by taxi in directions.
- To a (suggested) hotel: hotel addresses can be found here.
Subway.
Metro is probably the most economical option for commuting between the airport and the city. Madrid's Metro system is pretty clean, safe, and inexpensive, and its network is rather dense in the city center, so you can probably reach your destination in a couple of hops and a short walk. You can expect to reach the city center from the airport in 30-40 min. Metro Line 8 connects the airport with the station "Nuevos Ministerios" in the Northern part of the city.
To embark Metro at the airport, you normally need to buy a single-trip ticket with airport supplement included, which costs 2 euros (unless you opt for more advanced, and more expensive, tourist tickets). The ticket will be valid until you reach the final destination and exit the Metro system. Tickets can be bought at vending machines in front of the Metro station. The machines take Euro coins and smaller paper bills, so be sure to have some change with you. The machines also take credit cards, but that may depend on the country or bank of issue. There are usually information counters and Metro employees around that can answer your questions or doubts, or help you with passing bigger pieces of luggage. There should also be some free copies of the Metro network maps available.
On your way back to the airport (if you do not have an advanced tourist pass), besides the regular Metro ticket you will be required to buy an airport supplement ticket costing 1 euro, which has to be canceled when exiting the Metro station at the airport. These supplements can be bought on vending machines in city Metro stations, or before exits at the airport. Calculate some extra time and make sure beforehand that the Metro lines you want to use are not suspended due to reparations or renovations, which may happen from time to time, although that is not very likely for the mainstream lines such as 8 and 10. Again, be sure to disembark at the station corresponding to your terminal of departure.
- To UPM (Facultad de informática) (1h 15 min):
  Note: You have to buy a Combined Single (sencillo combinado) ticket.
  - Metro line 8 towards Nuevos Ministerios.
    From: Aeropuerto T1 T2 T3 or Aeropuerto T4. To: Nuevos Ministerios.
  - Metro line 10 towards Puerta del Sur.
    From: Nuevos Ministerios. To: Colonia Jardín.
  - Light rail ML3 towards Puerta de Boadilla.
    From: Colonia Jardín. To: Monteprincipe.
  - From Monteprincipe light railway station to UPM (walking).
- To Hotel Meninas (45 min):
  - Metro line 8 towards Nuevos Ministerios.
    From: Aeropuerto T1 T2 T3 or Aeropuerto T4. To: Nuevos Ministerios.
  - Metro line 10 towards Puerta del Sur.
    From: Nuevos Ministerios. To: Alonso Martínez.
  - Metro line 5 towards Casa de Campo.
    From: Alonso Martínez. To: Ópera.
- To Hotel Florida Norte (35 min):
  - Metro line 8 towards Nuevos Ministerios.
    From: Aeropuerto T1 T2 T3 or Aeropuerto T4. To: Nuevos Ministerios.
  - Metro line 10 towards Puerta del Sur.
    From: Nuevos Ministerios. To: Principe Pío.
- To Hotel T3 Tirol Madrid (45 min):
  - Metro line 8 towards Nuevos Ministerios.
    From: Aeropuerto T1 T2 T3 or Aeropuerto T4. To: Nuevos Ministerios.
  - Metro line 10 towards Puerta del Sur.
    From: Nuevos Ministerios. To: Alonso Martínez.
  - Metro line 4 towards Argüelles.
    From: Alonso Martínez. To: Argüelles.
- To i-hotel (1h 5min):
  Note: You have to buy a Combined Single (sencillo combinado) ticket.
  - Metro line 8 towards Nuevos Ministerios.
    From: Aeropuerto T1 T2 T3 or Aeropuerto T4. To: Nuevos Ministerios.
  - Metro line 10 towards Puerta del Sur.
    From: Nuevos Ministerios. To: Colonia Jardín.
  - Light rail ML3 towards Puerta de Boadilla.
    From: Colonia Jardín. To: Ciudad del Cine.
  - 0.4 km walking.
Bus.
There is also a bus that connects the airport with Avenida de América on the North-Eastern rim of the city and Plaza de Colón in the center. However, unless your hotel is very near these locations, Metro will usually be a more convenient option. If you choose bus as a means of transport, please ask for its schedule at the information stand in the arrival lounges.