Madrid is a wonderful city to explore on foot, but sometimes… it gets very hot (especially in summer). Thankfully, the Spanish capital has an ultra-efficient, affordable and well-designed public transport network. Let’s take a look at all the available transportation options to help you move around Madrid with ease. Thanks to this Madrid public transport guide, you will be able to get around Madrid easily.
- Types of transport tickets in Madrid
- The multi card : how does it work?
- Madrid Metro : fast, air-conditioned, essential
- Buses in Madrid : routes, schedules & tips
- Transport from Madrid Airport
- Tourist travel pass & long-term subscriptions
- Getting around by electric bike with BiciMAD
- Driving & car-sharing in Madrid
- Exploring the surroundings by Train
- Getting around with children
- FAQ
- Ready to explore Madrid?
Types of transport tickets in Madrid
Let’s start with the beginning in order to understand the Madrid public transport guide. When you arrive in Madrid, you’ll quickly notice that several types of transport tickets are available:
- Single ticket : valid on the day of purchase only. The fare is automatically calculated based on your journey distance.
- Multi Card : a rechargeable card for 10 trips, valid on the metro (Zone A), EMT buses and trams.
- Tourist Travel Pass: unlimited travel on all public transport for 1 to 7 days. This is the most practical and cost-effective option for tourists.
- Monthly pass (Abono): a personalized card with unlimited travel in the selected zones. Ideal for long stays in Madrid.
Quick overview :
| Ticket Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single ticket | €1.50-€2 | Based on distance |
| Multi Card (10 trips) | €7.30 (2025 promo) | Rechargeable |
| Tourist Travel Pass | From €10 | Unlimited for 1-7 days |
| Monthly pass | From €32.70 | For long stays |
Note: The current discounted price of the Multi Card is due to a government subsidy to encourage public transport use (-40% until December 31, 2025). Children under 4 travel for free.
The multi card : how does it work?
This is the card you’ll see everywhere, everyone uses it to get around Madrid. It allows you to travel on the metro, buses and some Cercanías commuter trains.
You can buy it easily at:
- Airport ticket machines
- Metro stations
- Some tobacco shops
The machines are multilingual and very easy to use.
This card is not personalized, making it perfect for couples, families or groups of friends. It can be recharged at machines or via the Tarjeta Transporte app. Each recharge adds 10 trips, usable across all supported transport modes.
Madrid Metro : fast, air-conditioned, essential
Madrid’s metro is clean, reliable and extremely frequent:
- Every 3–5 minutes during the day
- Every 10–15 minutes in the evening
It’s our best friend during summer thanks to its full air-conditioning!
- 300 stations
- 12 lines, including 1 circular line (Line 6)
- Operating hours: 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., daily
Airport Supplement
If you take the metro to or from the airport, a mandatory €3 airport supplement applies.
You can download:
- Metro de Madrid App
- Citymapper App
Both are excellent for planning routes.
Buses in Madrid : routes, schedules & tips
If you prefer to admire the city from above ground, buses are a fantastic option. They cover the entire city and run frequently.
- Operating hours: 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Night buses (“búhos”) operate after midnight
You can pay with :
- Multi Card
- Credit card on board
- Cash (exact change recommended: €1.50–€2 or max €5 bill)
Two free bus lines to know :
- Line 001: Atocha – Moncloa
- Line 002: Argüelles – Puerta de Toledo
In Madrid :
- Blue buses operate within the city
- Green buses serve the suburbs
They are fully accessible, stroller-friendly, and electric.
Transport from Madrid Airport
No stress upon landing! Here are your options to reach the city center :
| Transport | Time | Price | Key Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro (Line 8) | 20–25 min | ~€5 | €3 airport supplement |
| Express Bus | 30 min | €5 | Day & night, luggage allowed |
| Cercanías (C1) | 25 min | €2.60 | From T4 only |
| Taxi / Uber | 25–35 min | €33 | Fixed fare |
| Private driver | 20–30 min | From €36 | Ideal for families |
Read our full article on how to get from Madrid Airport to the city center.
Tourist travel pass & long-term subscriptions
For short stays, the Tourist Travel Pass is ideal:
- Valid 1 to 7 days
- Covers Zone A (city center) or Zone T (including suburbs)
- Available at the airport and metro stations
- Also available for online purchase
For longer stays, consider the monthly pass (Abono):
- Adult version
- Youth version under 26
- Senior version over 65
The Youth Pass costs only €10/month for unlimited travel across the entire region.
Getting around by electric bike with BiciMAD
Want a relaxed ride in the Madrid sunshine? Try BiciMAD, Madrid’s electric bike service:
- 165 stations across the city
- €2 for the first hour, €4 for each additional hour
- App to locate and unlock bikes
Our favorite routes:
- Retiro Park
- Along the Manzanares River
Driving & car-sharing in Madrid
Our advice: avoid driving in the city center if possible. Parking is difficult and restricted zones (Madrid Central) are strictly controlled. If you want to know everything about parking and traffic in Madrid, read our article dedicated to parking in Madrid.
If needed:
- Use Parclick, Aparca&Go or Parkimeter to reserve parking.
- Try car-sharing services like Zity or Emov for short trips.
- Fines are issued very quickly, speaking from experience!
To hire a car at the right price, we recommend comparing offers on DiscoverCars for the best deals. We explain everything in our article: How to hire a car in Madrid.
Exploring the surroundings by Train
The Cercanías Madrid network lets you explore beautiful destinations nearby :
| Destination | Line | From |
|---|---|---|
| El Escorial | C3 | Atocha, Sol, Chamartín |
| Alcalá de Henares | C2 or C7 | Atocha, Recoletos |
| Aranjuez | C3 | Chamartín |
| Toledo / Segovia | Renfe trains | Atocha or Chamartín |
Tickets are available at stations or online via Renfe.
Getting around with children
Not all metro stations have elevators or escalators. If traveling with strollers, plan your route in advance.
Buses are fully adapted with stroller spaces and access ramps.
For a fun alternative, try the tourist bus:
- Free for children under 7
- Perfect for sightseeing without exhausting walks
FAQ
Can several people use the same Multi Card? Yes, it is non-personalized and can be used multiple times consecutively.
Best transport app ? Metro de Madrid, Citymapper and Tarjeta Transporte.
Can I buy tickets at the airport ? Yes, both at ticket counters and machines.
Does the metro run at night ? Yes, until 2:00 a.m. every day.
Ready to explore Madrid?
As you can see, getting around Madrid is incredibly easy. And with this Madrid public transport guide, whether you prefer the fast metro, relaxed cycling, night buses or train excursions, the city is designed for smooth, stress-free mobility.
What we love most is the daily fluidity of life without a car. You can cross the city, go out at night, reach the airport or explore nearby historic towns effortlessly.
So let’s go! And if you have any tips or experiences to share, feel free to leave a comment.
To prepare for your trip to Madrid, these articles may help you:
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