The transportation in Madrid is excellent, similar to Barcelona. You can easily reach important places, almost exclusively by using the metro. Here you’ll find everything about public transportation!
Table of Contents
Airport and city center transportation
The Barajas Airport (Aeropuerto de Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez) is located in the northeastern part of Madrid, from where it’s easy to get into the city center.
It has four terminals, but terminals 1, 2, and 3 can be accessed from one location. So essentially, there are two main areas to exit the airport.
Metro
Line 8 stops at both main areas (T1-T2-T3 and T4 terminals). In the city center, the final stop is Nuevos Ministerios station, where you can transfer to other metro lines (6 and 10).
Public transportation tickets and passes are valid (the airport belongs to „A” zone), but an additional ticket, Billete Suplemento Aeropuerto, is required (3 €). The tourist ticket (Abono Transporte Turístico) is an exception, with which you can travel without an additional ticket.
The ticket price is 4.50-5 € depending on the number of stations (this includes the supplementary ticket). The ticket machine will ask for the destination and calculate the price.
You can find metro prices here!
Buses
Several buses can take you to the city center, connecting to transfer points.
Bus 203 (Exprés Aeropuerto)
Runs from T1, T2, and T4 terminals to Atocha Station.
Travel time is only 30-35 minutes, and it operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Tickets can be purchased on the bus and public transportation passes are not valid.
Ticket price is 5 €.
Bus 101
Runs from T1, T2, T3 terminals to Canillejas stop, where you can transfer to Line 5 metro.
Tickets can be purchased on the bus, public transportation passes are valid (except metro tickets).
Ticket price is 1.50 €.
Bus 200
Runs from all four terminals to Avenida de América stop, where you can transfer to metro lines 4, 6, 7, and 9.
Tickets can be purchased on the bus, public transportation passes are valid (except metro tickets).
Ticket price is 1.50 €.
You can find all information about these buses here!
Public transportation in Madrid city
Madrid’s transportation is eerily similar to Barcelona’s. The numerous metro lines cover the city, allowing you to reach almost every important location.
Madrid’s transportation system is divided into urban („A” zone) and suburban areas. What interests us, tourists, is that the main attractions are located in the „A” zone.
Public transportation is free for children under 4 years old!
Multi Card
Transportation can only be used with a Multi Card. This is a magnetic card that can be purchased from an automatic machine and must be loaded with tickets or passes. There’s a one-time issuance fee of 2.5 €.
To validate, the magnetic card must be touched to the sensor at the metro entrance and on the bus.
Bus ticket (Billete EMT)
This exists only for buses and can be purchased from the bus driver.
Ticket price is 1.50 €.
Metro ticket (Billete Metro)
As the name suggests, it can only be used on the metro. Valid only for one trip on the day of purchase.
The metro ticket price depends on the number of stations! The ticket machine will ask for the destination and calculate the price. This is valid within Madrid’s boundaries („A” zone), outside of which a uniform price ticket is required (Billete Combinado).
Ticket price is between 1.50-2 € depending on the number of stations.
Collective ticket (Metrobús 10 trips)
This means 10 tickets valid for both bus and metro. For the metro, the number of stations within the „A” zone doesn’t matter. Can be used by multiple people.
The collective ticket price is 12.20 € (station number is irrelevant).
Day passes / Tourist ticket (Abono Transporte Turístico)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7-day passes can be purchased, providing unlimited travel in the purchased zone. If you only want to see attractions within the city, the „A” zone tourist ticket is sufficient.
Each pass is valid for calendar days, meaning it’s valid until midnight on the last day of the period!
With this pass, no additional ticket is needed for the airport metro!
Passes for children under 11 years old are half-price!
Prices:
- 1 day: 8.40 €
- 2 days: 14.20 €
- 3 days: 18.40 €
- 4 days: 22.60 €
- 5 days: 26.80 €
- 7 days: 35.40 €
Madrid transportation in maps
You can find maps of the public transportation network and lines on this website, which are downloadable!
Best museums in Madrid
Spain is also a country rich in art. As a result, Madrid has a wealth of museums.