The lounges at Madrid Airport are available up to four hours before your flight.

Located 30 minutes from the center of downtown Madrid, Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) is Spain's busiest airport, handling more than 60 million passengers a year. Anyone who has flown from Madrid also knows how large it is and how long it takes to get between terminals. The only airport with a larger footprint in Europe is Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).

Before we look at what choice of lounges there are at Madrid Airport, let's first look at why you might want to use one of them. Airport lounges provide passengers with a sanctuary from all the hustle and bustle that takes place at a busy airport.

If you only travel once or twice a year, it can be hard justifying the expense of being able to use an airport lounge. If you are a frequent flyer or travel often on business, an airport lounge can be a game changer. If nothing else, an airport lounge provides comfortable chairs and a place to relax before your flight. With WiFi and charging available, airport lounges are also a great place to get some work done.

Depending upon the lounge, free food and drinks are on offer, which makes paying for a one-time pass less expensive than it might cost you to eat and drink at an airport bar or restaurant. Some airport lounges even have showers that can be a godsend if you have a long layover between two long-haul destinations. Typically, airline-sponsored lounges for their business and first class passengers and partner airline alliance members are located airside, in the terminal from which they depart.

In Spain, the country's national flag carrier and the largest airline is Iberia. All Iberia flights and other oneworld alliance flights operated by American Airlines and British Airways arrive and depart from terminal T4.

Sala VIP Plaza Mayor Lounge (La Revoltosa) is located in T4 on the first floor adjacent to the AENA Exhibition Room. Only available to people traveling within the Schengen Zone, the lounge offers a catering service, free WiFi, fax and printer, showers, and an office for left luggage.

Priority Pass holders and passengers with a business or first class ticket can use the lounge up to four hours before their departure time. The walk-in rate is €33.90 per adult, payable at the entrance.

Located on the second floor of the Terminal 4 satellite building, the Neptuno VIP Lounge is only available for people traveling on non-Schengen Zone flights. The lounge offers passengers a catering and drinks service, Internet access, a working area, and showers. The lounge is open to Priority Pass members and passengers holding a business or first class ticket. If space is available, the rate is €35 per adult.

The Puerta Del Sol airport lounge is located airside on the first floor next to gate E69. The lounge is only open to people traveling in the Schengen Zone. The lounge offers catering, drinks WiFi, and showers. It is available to Priority Pass members and people traveling on a business of first class ticket. If space is available, you can use the lounge for up to four hours before your flight for €33.90.

The Puerta de Alcala lounge is located airside in Terminal 2 on the second floor near gate D62. The lounge is for Schengen Zone flights departing from Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. The lounge offers a catering service, free drinks, Internet access, showers, and a left luggage office.

The lounge is available to Priority Pass members or passengers traveling with a first or business class ticket. The walk-in rate is €33.90 and is open to passengers four hours before their flight departure time.

Located airside in Terminal 1 on the second floor between gates B26 and B29, the Cibeles lounge is for people traveling on non-Schengen Zone flights departing from Terminal 1. The Cibeles lounge offers visitors expansive views of the airport and has a lovely outdoor terrace. The food and drink offerings are plentiful, emphasizing Spanish products. There is also a business area where you can get some work done, showers if you need to freshen up, and a place to relax and watch television. The lounge is open to Priority Pass members and people traveling on a business or first class ticket. If space is available, the walk-in rate is €35 per adult.

Journalist - Mark is an experienced travel journalist having published work in the industry for more than seven years. His enthusiasm for aviation news and wealth of experience lends itself to some excellent insight, with his work cited in Forbes amongst other publications. Based in Alicante, Spain.

Your voice matters. Discussions are moderated for civility.