Madrid’s public transport system is without a doubt, fantastic. It is fast, safe, clean and very reliable. In comparison with other European cities, Madrid’s public transport is also considered cheap and very efficient, which makes getting around Madrid very easy. Madrid’s public transport consists of the Madrid Metro (underground), day & night buses, the ‘Metro Ligero’ (Madrid light rail) as well as the regional train system known as the ’Cercanías’ which are the suburban trains that connect the city of Madrid with rest of the Madrid region. So, no matter where you are going, Madrid’s public transport system will get you there.
Are you moving to Madrid for a longer period and would like to get a monthly pass? Get ahead and order your personal public transport card in advance.
There are also great alternatives to Madrid’s public transport when it comes to getting around Madrid. Alternatives like, ridesharing apps and car sharing options as well as e-Scooters, e-Bikes & Motor scooter rental services. Since June 2014, Madrid has also been offering public, electric bikes that you can rent at your convenience all over the city.
To keep reading all about Madrid’s transport options, check out the content overview and feel free to click on the topics you are most interested in. Each chapter contains relevant information regarding getting around Madrid. From details on how to get from and to the airport, ticket options, prices, schedules & transport zones to details on the various means of transportation available and how use them.
Furthermore, in our FAQ section at the bottom of this ’Getting Around Madrid’ guide, we will clarify some of the most common questions and doubts regarding Madrid’s public transport.
Important: The Citylife team has collected & compiled the information on this page via intense research and investigation. It does not replace your own research!
Table Of Contents
- 1. Getting Around Madrid by Public Transport – Ticket Options & Prices
- 2. How to Get your Personal Public Transport Card
- 3. Madrid Transport Options – a Comprehensive Outline
- 4. Traveling Long Distance Around Spain
- 5. Private Transport & Alternative Transport Options
- 6. Make Your Transport Card Appointment with our Free Service
- 7. FAQ
1. Getting Around Madrid by Public Transport – Ticket Options & Prices
As previously mentioned, Madrid’s public transport system is very accessible and efficient. You can get all over the city centre by using just the Madrid metro and bus. The Madrid metro and bus systems are integrated, meaning that you can access the Madrid metro lines and the EMT bus lines with the same ’ticket’. Other available transportation means like the Cercanías and Renfre trains and the suburban buses which take you outside the city will have different ticket types and different tariffs. The beginning of this article will focus more on the main transport within the city center (metro & city bus), however if you wish to read more on Madrid’s Light Rail system, suburban buses and long distance options, you can skip ahead.
To start with, there are various ticket options available for the Madrid public transport system. Some of which are better for those staying in the city for mid to long-term periods while others are perfect for those visiting for a short-term period. In the section below we will explain each ticket option in detail.
1.1 Monthly Pass for Mid to Long-Term Stays
If you are coming to Madrid for a longer period – to study or work, for example – it is very likely that you will move around by public transport on a regular basis. In this case we highly recommend getting your personal public transport card. This card will give you access to the the monthly transport pass, known as the ’Abono’. Using a monthly pass is by far the cheapest and most convenient way as it gives you full access to all of Madrid’s public transport for 30 day periods.
When it comes to getting your public transport card, we highly recommend ordering it online in advance. Ideally about 15 days before you plan to arrive to Madrid. By doing this you will avoid long wait times to book an appointment as well as simply skipping the need to attend an appointment in the first place. By ordering online, your card will be delivered to you. For more details on how to order you public transportation card online either continue reading, or click here to skip ahead.
Download the Madrid Metro Map and check out various other maps for Madrid bus routes, light rail train lines and regional train lines in our chapter called Madrid Transport Options – A Comprehensive Outline, or skip ahead.
Monthly Pass – Prices & Where to Buy
As we mentioned above, to get the monthly pass you must first get your personal transport card. This card costs 4€ and once you have it in your possession, you can then top it up with the monthly pass (’Abono’). The price of your monthly pass depends primarily on your age and the transport zones of Madrid you would like to have included – there are no special prices for students. Finally, every 30 days you will need to top up your personal public transport card with your new monthly pass to be able to continue to use Madrid’s public transport system. You can do so conveniently at one of the many metro stations at the machines either with cash or credit card.
Abono Joven (Monthly Youth Pass)
Note: See prices below
If you are under 26 years of age, you will be able to use the youth pass, known as ’Abono Joven’. With this pass you will be able to use all of Madrid’s transport options between all transport zones! You can move freely by metro and bus all over the city, to its outskirts as well as to the airport without paying a supplement.
Abono Normal (Monthly Standard Pass)
Note: See prices below
If you are aged 26 or older you will have access to the standard monthly pass, known as ’Abono’. This pass requires users to pay per transport zone. If you need to include more zones, the price will rise. Click here for more information of each of Madrid’s zones.
The Madrid Transportation Office has officially reduced prices of all transport ticket types ! For a detailed look on prices please refer to the official page here.
If the monthly pass is what you need, you can skip ahead in this article for instructions on how to order your public transport card online.
Above you see a price chart per-zone, however there are also inter-zone packages which combine certain zones together under one price. This is a great option for those who don’t often visit the more central zones and therefore do not want to pay for access to them. For more details on all pricing options, click here.
1.2 Single & 10 Trips Tickets
If you happen to be visiting Madrid for only a few days or weeks, or if you don’t need to use the public transport system on a daily basis, you can use Madrid’s more short-term option known as the Multi Card. As with the personal public transport card, you will first need to purchase the card itself, then you top up the short-term pass of your choice onto the card. The Multi Card offers two options: Single tickets and 10 trip tickets.
