Visiting Spain’s sublime capital, Madrid? If so, here are the best ways to get around Madrid with ease!
How do you get around Madrid without getting in over your head? This question is worth asking if you want to discover one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals! Cosmopolitan and lively, with a perfect blend of modernism and history, it’s brimming with charming little neighborhoods. Its architecture, gastronomy, climate and quality of life make it an unforgettable destination!
We’ve put together a mini-guide packed with essential tips and tricks to help you navigate Madrid’s streets without a hitch!
A must-have: the Multi card
Photo credit: Flickr – Cristina Cifuentes
How can you imagine getting around Madrid without a Multi card? Getting the card is easy. There are automatic machines in the metro, as well as numerous authorized sales outlets throughout the city. It costs just €2.50, to which must be added the price of tickets, whether single, 10-trip or tourist.
This rechargeable, non-nominative transport card can be used for all non-personal transport tickets. To complete your card and avoid the hassle of tickets, you can then buy one of the two tourist tickets: Zona A and Zona T. These tickets will normally make it easier to get around the Spanish capital during your stay.
Zona A ticket
The Zona A ticket is valid on the entire Madrid transport network in zone A (metro, bus and Cercanías), as well as on line 1 of the metro ligero. Unlike other metro tickets, it includes the airport supplement. Here are the fares for this ticket:
- 1 day: €8.40 adult (+12 years), €4.20 child (4-11 years) ;
- 2 days: €14.20 adult, €7.10 child ;
- 3 days: €18.40 adult, €9.20 child ;
- 5 days: 26.80€ adult, 13.40€ child ;
- 7 days: €35.40 adult, €17.70 child.
Zona T ticket
The Zona T ticket allows you to take the metro, bus, intercity bus, Cercanías and metro ligero throughout Madrid. Here are the fares for this ticket:
- 1 day: €17.00 adult (+12 years), €8.50 child (4-11 years) ;
- 2 days: 28.40€ adult, 14.20€ child ;
- 3 days: 35.40€ adult, 17.70€ child ;
- 5 days: €50.80 adult, €25.40 child ;
- 7 days: €70.80 adult, €35.40 child.
Please note, however, that none of these tickets include the express shuttle to the airport.
It’s also worth noting that it’s sometimes difficult to get a return on any of the tourist tickets. It does, however, save you having to worry about ticket or journey times. The Zona T ticket is particularly useful for anyone wishing to discover the capital’s surroundings.
Madrid City Pass
The Madrid City Pass also includes a 3-day transport pass, with even a private transfer from Madrid-Barajas Adolfo-Suárez airport to your accommodation, handy when you want to get around Madrid easily. The public transport pass includes access to the city’s subways, buses and trains for a period of 3 days.
If you’re planning to buy this Pass to visit Madrid, remember to include this option so that you can get around the capital easily afterwards.
The fastest: the metro
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Tomtom24
To get around Madrid quickly, nothing beats the metro! The city boasts an excellent, fast and extensive network. With over 300 stations, it is one of the most extensive in Europe, serving almost every point in the capital and most neighboring cities. It runs from 6 a.m. to 1.30 a.m. with good frequency.
It’s easy to get your metro tickets: just go to the nearest ticket machine or counter when you arrive at one of the many stations to buy one. Alternatively, you can buy them from newsagents.
Only pricing is a little complicated with this means of transport. A single trip costs €1.50 in the central Madrid zone (zona A) and ML1. If you need to use more than 5 stations, then there’s a surcharge of €0.10 per additional stop (capped at €2).
When you buy your ticket, you must indicate your destination. The machine then automatically calculates the number of stations and the corresponding fare on the shortest route.
The most comfortable: the bus
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Kevin.B
Madrid’s bus network is dense and convenient, and even particularly fast. It operates from 6am to 11.30pm. Night buses then take over from 11.45pm to 5.10am. Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver. Fares are the same as for the metro.
Madrid’s comfortable buses are sometimes air-conditioned and not necessarily overcrowded. They’re a great way to get around Madrid, and even to enjoy a nice view!
Most available: the bicycle
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Diario de Madrid
Cycling is another excellent way to get around Madrid. Highly available, you can easily visit the capital at your own pace.
To get around Madrid by bike, you’ll need the Uso Ocasional card. Free of charge – but with a €150 blocked deposit – it can be valid for 1, 3 or 5 days. You can obtain it at station ticket machines with a payment card.
Billing is by the hour. The first hour costs €2, then €4 for each additional hour.
Like many capitals, Madrid has a self-service bicycle system and a good network of cycle paths. These bikes are also electric, making it easier to climb the capital’s hills! In particular, Bicimad has around 123 stations spread throughout the city. The network even has an app for locating terminals or reserving a bike.
From Madrid airport
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Diego Delso
The Madrid metro is undoubtedly the most practical and economical option for getting from the airport to the center of Madrid and vice versa. Each Madrid-Barajas terminal has its own metro line, which runs right into the city center. The journey generally takes around 15 minutes. Fares are the same as for the metro section.
As a reminder, the Madrid metro operates from 6am to 1.30am. Frequency is generally every 5 minutes during the day, every 10 minutes from 10pm to 11pm and every 15 minutes from 8pm to 2am.
The Express bus
You can also opt for the yellow « Express » shuttles. These depart from terminals 1, 2 and 4. They also run 24 hours a day, every day of the year. These shuttles generally depart every 15 minutes during the day and every 35 minutes in the evening. This makes them the ideal option for those who can’t or don’t want to use the metro at night.
Once on board, you’ll need to pay €5 for a ticket.
Madrid transport map & plans
Getting around Madrid is obviously much easier if you have a precise, comprehensive map of the city and its transport system. You’ll find them everywhere, in tourist areas, metro stations, kiosks and buses.
However, don’t forget to download an application to optimize your travels, such as Moovit (or Google Maps), or an offline map.