Essential Guide To Madrid Spain Transport

On this page you can see at a glance all the different types of Madrid Spain transport options. You will learn about the pro’s and cons of each form of transport along with prices, discount tickets and links to official transport websites for up to date timetables.

Madrid Spain Transport Options

Metro Station Entrances Look Like This

There are 5 main ways of travelling around the centre of Madrid. The public transport system is excellent, and I would highly recommend using it.

Metro: (subway, tube, or underground)

In my opinion, Madrid Spain transport doesn’t get much better than the metro. The trains operate from 06:00 until 01:30 and during daylight hours you won’t have to wait more than 5 minutes for a train. From about 19:00 onwards trains are slightly less frequent, but even then the wait is a maximum of 15 minutes.

The metro is a clean, safe and efficient service that is easy to navigate. The coaches are air-conditioned, and spacious. Many also have seating reserved for the elderly and disabled. The metro is cheap, and you can buy a single ticket for just 1 euro. The cheapest option, is to buy a 10 journey ‘metrobus’ ticket that you can also use on the bus. This costs 6.40 euros.

To see more detailed information about the Madrid Metro, click here to go to our in depth metro page.

To see up to date information regarding timetables and any works on any of the lines, click here to go to the official Madrid metro site.

Madrid Taxi Service

Official Taxis Are White With a Red Stripe

Tel: (0034) 91 547 8200

There are other 24 hour. taxi companies recommended by the tourist information service:

Radio taxi – (0034) 91 405 1213 / (0034) 91 405 5500 / (0034) 91 447 5180 / (0034) 91 447 3232

Tele taxi – (0034) 91 371 2131 / (0034) 91 371 3711 / (0034) 63 090 7990
www.tele-taxi.es

A taxi is a great idea during the night time when the metro doesn’t run. Especially if you aren’t familiar with your surroundings. Official Madrid Spain transport taxis are white with a red stripe, and can be either stopped in the street, or you can wait at a taxi rank for one. The taxi ranks are indicated by a blue sign that contains a white letter ‘T’.

The taxi will display a green light when it is available. The charge for setting the metre going is 1.85 euros, and after that it’s 87 cents a kilometre in the city centre between 06:00 and 22:00.

Taxis for the disabled are available. You can call Euro-Taxi on (0034) 91 547 8200 – twenty four hours a day.

Car Hire

Another Madrid Spain transport option is to hire a car. Although it is great to be in control of your own timetable, and not have to worry about missing buses or trains – I’d advise only hiring a car if you need to travel out of the centre. Parking is not easy in Madrid, and neither is navigating. Even if you have a good map, you will find that many road works will take you diversions that can be confusing.

Click here to read more about hiring a car in Madrid

Public Buses

This is another clean, cheap and efficient means of Madrid Spain transport. You can buy a 10 journey ‘metrobus’ ticket for just 6.15 euros, that is usable on both the metro and the bus. The EMT buses are red and run from 06:00 until 23:30. Once you’re on the bus, just punch your ticket in the machine. There is also a bus service that runs at night, but unless you can recognise where you need to get off, I would recommend taking a taxi for night time trips.

If you buy a tourist travel pass you can get discounted travel on all types of public transport within the Madrid region. The pass is valid for either 1,2,3,5, or 7 days, and starts at 3.50 euros for a 1 day city centre pass.

Click here to see how to buy a travel pass

Walking Around Madrid

The main centre of Madrid is not really that big, and it is, in my experience, quite safe to walk around. Most points of interest are shown on special brown pedestrian signs with a picture of a walking man on them. As long as it’s not too hot, it’s nice to walk around as that way you can get your bearings better, and see some lovely sights en route.

There are lots of Madrid Spain transport options including walking! The city is easy to get around on foot. But you can also choose from regular metro trains and buses. The city transport is quite cheap and there are options for disabled people too.

The Good Points About Madrid Spain Transport

Travelling around Madrid is easiest on public transport. This page provides you with information about the bus and metro systems – how frequently they run and what it costs. Taxis in Madrid are also plentiful and good value. You can see on this page some contact details for official taxis.

Related Pages

Madrid Main Transport Index

Car Hire In Madrid
Car Parking In Madrid
Disabled Access in Madrid
Disabled Access on the Metro
Bus System In Madrid
Madrid Metro System
Madrid Spain Transport - Review of the different transport methods
Taxis in Madrid
Timetables - Links to official transport websites to look up timetable information

Madrid Airport -main information page to all pages on Madrid Airport

Madrid to Barcelona Via Train
Madrid to Barcelona Via Plane

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