Getting Around Madrid
Madrid Metro
In Madrid, the subway quickly connects the historic center with the airport and the main train and bus stations of Madrid. It operates every day of the week from 6:00 in the morning to 1:30 at night, and the access gates are marked by the letter “M”.
Madrid Buses
In Madrid, buses are also a good alternative. From Monday to Friday, they run from 6:00 to about 23:30 and travel on a dedicated lane along the main streets of the city. Routes and bus frequencies are indicated at the stops. You can travel with backpacks (carrying them in hand and not on your shoulders), with suitcases (the size of hand luggage allowed on planes), and with folding bicycles. On Saturdays and Sundays, they run from 7:00 to about 23:00. At night, night buses popularly known as búhos (owls) operate. They depart from Plaza Cibeles and are marked with the letter “N” preceding the line number. From Sunday to Friday and on holidays, they operate from 23:55 to 4:00, and on Saturdays and pre-holidays from 23:00 to 7:00.
Taxi in Madrid
However, many people prefer to travel by taxi at night. They run all day, are white in color, and carry a red stripe on the side, the city emblem, and the license number. You can hail them on the street when their green light is on, at designated stops, or by calling radio taxi services. Rates are displayed visibly inside the vehicle and include minimum fare, start fee, mileage, and supplements such as night service, holiday, departures from stations or airports. The total cost of the service is visible on the taximeter.
How to Call a Taxi in Madrid
Radio-Taxi Asociación Gremial: 91 447 51 80 / 91 447 32 32
Radio-Taxi Independiente: 91 405 12 13 / 91 405 55 00
Radio Teléfono Taxi / Euro Taxi: 91 547 82 00
Teletaxi: 91 371 21 31 / 91 371 37 11 / 630 907 990
Train
To reach the surroundings of Madrid, besides buses, it is possible to use the train. The Renfe suburban rail network operates from around 5:00/6:00 to midnight and has daily frequent services to tourist places of interest such as Alcalá de Henares, El Escorial, or Aranjuez.
Madrid Tourist Bus Tickets
The alternative is to use the Madrid Tourist Bus which passes through the most emblematic and monumental places of the city. Tickets for one and two days cost respectively €21 and €25, although those under 16 and adults over 65 receive a discount. The service is free for children under six years old, and there are reductions for families. Another original proposal is the Cable Car, which goes from Pintor Rosales avenue to the Casa de Campo park. Prices range from €4.20 to €5.90. Another possibility, finally, is to move around by bicycle, for example with the BiciMadrid service. The fare for occasional use of the bicycles is €2 for the first hour and €4 for the following hours.
Getting Around Madrid, How Much It Costs
Madrid Metro Cost
There are different types of subscriptions and fares. A single metro ride costs €1.50 (5 stations) or €2 (10 or more stations). It can be purchased at ticket offices and vending machines located in stations. The bus ticket also costs €1.50, but it is bought directly on board from the driver. It is also possible to use a single ticket costing €3 valid for the entire Madrid metro network, as well as the Metrobus, a card valid for both modes of transport that costs €12.20 and is valid for 10 rides. It can be purchased at tobacco shops, newsstands, and metro stations.
Madrid Tourist Passes
On the train, you can also buy a single ticket for €1.70 or a ticket valid for 10 rides costing €10.00. Another option is the tourist passes, valid for one person and unlimited rides on metro, bus, and suburban train. They can be purchased for one, two, three, five, or seven days, prices range from €8.40 to €70.80 and children under 11 receive a 50% discount.
There are two options: one allows you to travel within the city of Madrid, while the other lets you travel throughout the region, the so-called Zone T, which includes cities such as Alcalá de Henares, Aranjuez, El Escorial, Toledo, or Guadalajara. They can also be purchased at the Regional Transport Consortium, metro stations, the Metro User Assistance Center at the airport, and online. Other means to get around. Finally, there is the Madrid Card which, in addition to allowing unlimited use of the Madrid Tourist Bus, includes entry to major museums and discounts in shops, shopping centers, shows, and restaurants. The cards are valid for one, two, three, or four days, cost from €47 to €77, and can be purchased in various ways, including online at www.madridcard.com or at some tourist offices.
Madrid, how to get around cheaply
Madrid card
To choose how to get around Madrid cheaply, you first need to know in which area you will stay, how many rides you will take, and for how many people. The central area is well connected and has numerous metro and bus stops. Most Madrileni use the Metrobus because, in addition to saving on single tickets, it allows the use of both means of transport interchangeably, has no time limit on usage, and is transferable so it can be used by multiple people. Travel titles such as tourist subscriptions or the Madrid Card are valid for one person and allow unlimited use of transport for a set period of time.
