Line 8 (Madrid Metro)

Line 8 of the Madrid Metro opened between Mar De Cristal and Campo de las Naciones on 24 June 1998. An extension to Barajas via Madrid Airport was opened in 1999 and in 2002 an extension to Nuevos Ministerios and Colombia opened. Originally this line was a small-profile line, but in 2002 it became a large rolling stock line. The line uses 4-car versions of class 8000 trains. In 2007 an intermediate station called Pinar Del Ray opened between Colombia and Mar De Cristal, as did an extension to the new Terminal 4 of Madrid Airport.

Nuevos Ministerios:This station opened on 21 May 2002. The station features a large and unique complex where passengers can check in for selected flights from Madrid Airport, and then board a train to the Airport, and not have to check in there. The Station complex features pictures of the city of Madrid on the walls, and this station by many is said to be the best in the city. Transfer to Lines 6 & 10 is possible at this station.

Colombia:This Station opened on 21 May 2002. Transfer to Line 9 is possible from this station.

Pinar Del Rey:This station was added on the existing line and was opened on 15 January 2007. The station serves a large business area, which was in much need of a metro station.

Mar De Cristal:This station was opened on 24 June 1998. Transfer to line 4 is possible at this station, and for four years, changing to line 4 was the only way to travel into Madrid city centre from the airport, before the Nuevos Ministerios extension was built, giving the line better transfer options.

Campo de las Naciones:This station was opened on 24 June 1998, and serves the Feria de Madrid and Palacio de Congresos. The Feria de Madrid is where events like the Spanish motor show take place, so the station is sometimes very busy. This is also one of the few stations in Madrid that has an island platform, instead of the normal side platforms.

Aeropuerto T1,T2,T3: This station was opened on 14 June 1999, and serves terminals 1,2 & 3 of Madrid Airport. Like Nuevos Ministerios, this station is said to be one of the best in Madrid, featuring a picture of Madrid from a plane. The station was originally called Aeropuerto, but When the Terminal 4 Extension opened, the station was renamed Aeropuerto T1,T2,T3.

Barajas:This Station was opened on 7 September 1999. It serves Barajas town near the airport, where there is a complex of airport hotels.

Aeropuerto T4:This station opened on 3 May 2007. It serves the recently opened Terminal 4 of Madrid Airport. This station lies on the lower level of the terminal building, and is therefore considered the only overground station on line 8.

Future of Line 8Line 8 in the future is projected to become a long line from Aeropuerto T4 to Mendez Alvaro where it will connect with Line 6 and Renfe services. On the way it is projected to stop at:

Gregorio Marañón-Transfer to Lines 7 and 10

Rubén Darío-Transfer to Line 5

Colón-Transfer to Line 4

Recoletos-Transfer to Renfe services

Banco De España-Transfer to Line 2

Prado

Atocha Renfe-Transfer to Line's 1 and renfe intercity and suburban services. Also in the future Line 11 should stop here

A date for this extension has not yet been given, as it is currently under planning. Also a station between Campo De Las Nacionas and Aeropuerto T1,T2,T3 is planned to be built called Corralejos, where transfer to the planned line 5 extension will be available. Again this is in planning stage.