Public transport in Madrid, the best options for getting around
Madrid is one of the European capitals where getting around by public transport is relatively simple and economical.
Madrid’s comprehensive and intuitive bus and metro network will simplify your life during your stay in the capital.
If you’re planning to visit or live in Madrid, then this article on public transport will be of great use to you,
How does public transport work in Madrid?
The Madrid region boasts a highly-developed public transport network, divided into zones as in London.
This network comprises buses, metros, streetcars and suburban trains known as “cercanillas”.
Getting around Madrid is easy and pleasant (air conditioning in summer and heating in winter). If you visit Madrid, you’ll quickly realize that fares are quite economical compared with other European cities (only 1,50€ for a metro/bus ticket). Take advantage of this opportunity to organize a Madrid getaway and visit the city without wasting any time.
Getting around Madrid by bus
Madrid’s bus network is managed by the municipal transport company (EMT), and most buses run year-round from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. However, each bus line has its own specific timetable. We recommend you use the “EMT Madrid” application for more details on the capital’s bus schedules.
To help you find your way around, here’s a list of Madrid’s bus stations:
- Moncloa station, very popular with students.
- Avenida de Marica station, serving the airport and much of Madrid.
- Estación Sur de Madrid.
- Intercambiador Subterraneo Plaza Castilla.
Bus fare for a single journey: 1,50€
Tickets can be purchased directly on the bus using a contactless payment system or in cash (tickets over 5€ are not accepted).
Madrid night buses, the "autobuses nocturnos búhos".
Madrid City Council has set up a network of night buses comprising 28 lines identified by the letter N (N1,N2,N3,…,N28). These routes run from 11:30 pm to 6:00 am, with a bus every 35 minutes until 4:00 am and a bus every 70 minutes until 6:00 am.
Visit Madrid by bus, a fast and economical option
If you don’t want to take the metro to get around Madrid during your stay, we recommend you take the bus. Visiting Madrid by bus is a very practical option. Thanks to the bus lanes (reserved exclusively for buses and cabs), you’ll get around quickly. Places of interest such as the Royal Palace, Madrid’s historic center, the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum and Madrid’s various neighborhoods are all easily accessible by bus from anywhere in the city.
Getting around Madrid by metro
Getting around Madrid by metro is one of the most convenient options. With over 10 lines, Madrid’s metro will get you where you want to go in record time.
Open every day of the year from 6.00 a.m. to 1.30 a.m., if you have any doubts on a public holiday or in the event of construction work, don’t hesitate to take a look at the EMT Madrid application, which will keep you informed in real time of the network’s situation.
There’s also a convenient line that will take you directly to Madrid airport.
To help you plan your stay in Madrid, we recommend you read our full article on how the Madrid metro works. Here you’ll find important information such as the different lines to use, the types of cards available and the metro’s operating times.
Madrid metro card
To get around Madrid with ease, we recommend you have a metro map. You’ll find one at every metro station in the city. The most practical solution is to download the official Madrid Metro app (available on iOS and Android).
Ticket types for public transport in Madrid
A single ticket (1 trip) will cost you between 1,50€ and 2€, depending on the zone, while a book of 10 trips is a little more economical, costing 12,20€ for zones 0 and A, and 18,50€ for access to all zones in the Community of Madrid.
Recently, paper tickets have been taken out of circulation and everything is now done with a card, the “Carte multi”.
This card costs 2,50€ to purchase and can be recharged at kiosks.
The advantage of this card is that you can use it for several people when you travel, so you don’t have to buy one for everyone. Very useful for getting around Madrid, this economical card will be perfect for your stay in the Spanish capital.
The tourist card is one of the most interesting alternatives if you’re traveling in Madrid. More economical than the multi-card, it allows you unlimited travel in Madrid without having to worry about recharging. This card is nominative and cannot be used by two different people.
Where can I buy metro tickets in Madrid?
You can buy subway tickets at the city’s subway stations. However, we recommend that you buy a metro card as soon as you arrive at the airport. This will enable you to use it to travel from Madrid-Barajas airport to Madrid city center. You’ll find kiosks for buying metro tickets in terminal 2 and terminal 4. You can also recharge your metro card at the “estanco” tobacconists you’ll find around town.
Where can I buy the tourist card?
You can buy the tourist card at the following points of sale:
- At Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas airport, in terminals T1-T2-T3, you’ll find the tourist information desk in T2 (open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm and Sunday, 9am to 2pm). T4 also has a tourist information office (open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
- At all Madrid EMT metro stations.
- At the main office of the Madrid Regional Transport Board, located at Plaza de Descubridor Diego de Ordás, 3, open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tourist card rates
| Zones | 1 day | 2 days | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days | 7 days |
| A | €8.40 | €14.20 | €18.40 | €22.60 | €26.80 | €35.40 |
| T | €17.00 | €28.40 | €35.40 | €43.00 | €50.80 | €70.80 |
Children under 11 years old receive a 50% discount on the tourist card.
Getting around Madrid by electric bike
One of the best ways to get around Madrid is by bike, and Madrid City Council has set up self-service electric bicycles so you can get around the city with ease.
If you’re interested in renting a bike, we recommend a visit to the official Bicimad website, where you’ll find all the information you need to make the most of the self-service bike network.
Getting around Madrid by cab
If you don’t want to waste any time during your stay in Madrid, we recommend you take a cab. It’s the quickest way to get around, especially if you want to go to underserved areas. Relatively inexpensive compared with Paris or London, Madrid’s cabs are helpful and will get you to your destination in the best possible conditions.
