PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN MADRID

How to use public transport in Madrid

(practical guide for visitors)


The Madrid Metro is fantastic because it's fast, cheap, and clean. There are also buses (the blue ones). Here's how to use them to get around Madrid or to the airport.



 1. METRO

 

The Madrid Metro is the fastest way to get around the city.



How much does the metro cost in Madrid? (fares in effect in 2026):


First of all, you need to purchase a Multi card, which you will then load with your tickets. It costs €2.50 and you can reuse it as many times as you like. If several people are traveling together, you can share the same Multi card. Once you have purchased the Multi card, you can load the following onto it:


 🎫 Individual tickets:

  • Single Metro ticket (urban areas): between €1.50 and €2.00, depending on the distance traveled.
  • Airport supplement (if you use the metro to/from the airport): €3 (added to the ticket).


 🚉 10-trip ticket (Metro EMT ML1): €7.30

  • You can use them both on the Metro and on city buses (the blue ones).
  • You can share the tickets with another person as long as you are traveling together.


 ✈️ Airport supplement: If you're arriving in Madrid by plane, you can take the Metro from the airport, but you'll have to add a supplement. Specifically: first, buy the Multi card (€2.50), then add either a single ticket (€1.50) or a 10-trip ticket (€7.30), and finally add an airport supplement per person (€3). The same applies if you want to go to the airport from the city.



How to use the metro in Madrid?

  1. Get off at any station.
  2. Buy the Multi card (if you don't already have one) and 1 single ticket or a 10-trip ticket from the automatic machines.
  3. Validate your ticket/pass at the turnstiles upon entry.
  4. You can change lines and travel to any station you want within Zone A, which is very large (the ticket is only more expensive when you leave Zone A).




2. BUS (the blue ones)

 

The blue city buses cover the entire city. They're usually slower than the subway, but they allow you to see the city, which is also interesting.


How to use the bus in Madrid?

  • Pay directly upon boarding with bank card or cash (bring change) or validate your Multi card if it has a balance (valid except on the Airport Express Bus).
  • You enter through the front door and validate your ticket upon boarding at the reader located next to the driver.
  • To see the stops and routes, we recommend using the public transport option in Google Maps.


Rates:

  • Single city bus: €1.50.
  • 10-trip ticket (Metrobus): €7.30 (valid on EMT bus   Metro Zone A   Metro Ligero line 1).


Airport Express Bus (line 203, Atocha-Airport):

Line 203 is a direct service between Atocha station and the 4 airport terminals.

  • The line runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year (with reduced hours on December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1) departing from Atocha station during the day (06:00 – 23:30 h) and from Cibeles at night (00:00 – 05:40 h).
  • The bus takes approximately 30 minutes to T1, 5 more minutes to T2 and another 5 minutes to T4.
  • It has a frequency of 15-20 minutes during the day and 35 minutes at night.
  • You can pay on the bus with cash (maximum change: 20 euros) or with a contactless card. Contactless technology is available for bank or mobile card payments.



Practical tips for getting around Madrid:

  • If you're in the city center, we recommend walking (like the locals do), because you can get to many places in 15 minutes.
  • If you have to make a journey of more than 20 minutes on foot, the subway allows you to skip the traffic.
  • If you're traveling with family or a group of friends, it might be more convenient to take a taxi or order an Uber. For example, to go to the Bernabéu stadium or the Las Ventas bullring.
  • In Google Maps, search for the route you want to take and compare how long it would take you to walk, take public transport, or take a taxi.
  • Google Maps is the clearest way to see subway or bus options and where the stops are.
  • Travel to the airport: combine metro   supplement or use the Airport Express Bus from Atocha (daytime hours) or from Cibeles (nighttime hours).