versión español  >home

Useful Information

PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN MADRID

HOW TO GET AROUND BY BUS

A network around the whole city

Madrid has an extensive city bus network, run by the company Empresa Municipal de Transporte (EMT), which covers practically the whole city. Certain areas are not served by the Metro, although the buses do go there. In the main streets there are bus lanes, though we should bear in mind that in moments of heavy traffic the buses can also be affected by the traffic jams, which means they can be slower than the Metro.

Most lines operate everyday between 6 am and 11.30 pm, with buses leaving at intervals between 4 and 15 minutes, depending on the time of day. The buses are less frequent during weekends. There is also a bus line (200) connecting every day the Barajas Airport with Avenida de América (T1, T2 and T3) and another one, the 204, connecting Avenida de América with the T4, at the same price as a single bus ticket (1 €). On the other hand, the Line 201 links Barajas to the T4 and the Line 101 connects Canillejas to T1, T2 and T3.

RATES

The Metrobús ticket can be purchased in Metro stations and at authorised newspaper kiosks and tobacco shops (‘estancos’). They are not sold on the buses themselves. The ticket should be validated for each journey made on boarding the bus, and should be made available to any EMT staff members that request the ticket during a journey.

Related links:
www.emtmadrid.es

HOW TO GET AROUND BY METRO

The fastest way to move around

The underground (Metro) is fastest, most efficient and most affordable way to move around in Madrid. The city has a vast metropolitan network, one of the most comprehensive in Europe, and covers almost all the points in the capital and many of the neighbouring cities.

Currently, there are twelve metro lines, three metro ligero (tramway) lines and the branch line connecting Ópera to Principe Pío. Out of all these, line 8 (Nuevos Ministerios – Airport T4) is particularly noteworthy. This modern line connects the capital to Barajas international airport, arriving in T4 in less than 20 minutes and in only 12 minutes to the rest of terminals, and to Madrid’s Trade Fair grounds (Ifema). Also notable are the lines connecting the city to the new urban developments, such as line 11 to the PAU (Urban Development Plan) in Carabanchel and metro ligero line 1 to Sanchinarro and Las Tablas.

The underground is a fast means of transport that is operative from 6 am to 1.30 am, with trains leaving every 2 minutes in the morning rush hour and every 15 minutes in the small hours (as of midnight). At weekends, trains are less frequent during the day. Pitis station (line 7) and those between Puerta de Arganda and Arganda del Rey station have different opening hours.

PRICES

TOURIST TRAVEL PASS

The Tourist Travel Pass is the most economical and practical way to get to know Madrid. It can be used on all public transport in the Region as many times as necessary within the valid dates. There are five passes valid for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days.

The card can be purchased at all stations in the Metro network, at the Centro de Atención al Viajero (Passenger Assistance Centre) at both airport stations (line 8), at Tourist Offices, Offices of the Regional Transport Consortium, tourist attractions and over the interne; it’s also on sale at some tobacconists and newspaper stands. Children under 11 years old get a 50 per cent discount.

Users can choose between two areas: A, comprising the services of Metro, EMT de Madrid (buses) and Cercanías-Renfe (local train system); and T, which includes the aforementioned services plus the intercity buses in the Region of Madrid and the towns of Guadalajara and Toledo, Metro Sur, TFM (Puerta de Arganda- Arganda del Rey), Metro Ligero (light rail train) ML2 and ML3, and Parla's tramway.


AREAS 1 day 2 days 3 days 5 days 7 days
A 5,20 € 8,80 € 11,60 € 17,60 € 23,60 €
T 10,40 € 17,60 € 23,20 € 35,20 € 47,20 €

HOW TO GET AROUND BY TAXI

15,600 vehicles move around the city

Taxis in Madrid are white with a diagonal red band on their front door bearing the emblem of the city. They have a green light that is on when they are free. To hail a taxi all you only need to do is to raise your hand.

There are also several taxi ranks around the city, indicated by a blue sign with a white letter ‘T’. At railway and bus stations and at the airport taxis must be taken from the corresponding ranks. Throughout the rest of the city they can easily be stopped in the street.

There are more than 15,600 taxis in Madrid, so it is not usually difficult to find one available in the city’s main thoroughfares. Journeys are usually paid for in cash, though more and more taxis accept credit cards.

FARES

The following taxi fares have been in force since 9 December 2008:

SUPPLEMENTS

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES

DEPARTMENT OF MADRID CITY COUNCIL TAXIS

RADIO TAXIS
There are several private companies that can be called to order a taxi. You should bear in mind that in these cases the taxi meter starts running at the point where the taxi driver is when (s)he picks up the call.

More information