Madrid's public transport is integrated under the regional transport consortium (CRTM): a dense Metro network (over 300 stations on its lines, per the city tourism board), EMT city buses, Cercanías suburban trains (to El Escorial, Aranjuez and the airport's T4) and BiciMAD e-bikes. The centre (Sol, Austrias, Letras, La Latina, Malasaña) is compact and best walked; the Metro covers everything else.
Paying: Tarjeta Transporte Público (Multi card), or the Abono Transporte Turístico (tourist pass)
How to buy
Buy the reusable Multi card at Metro ticket machines and load single or 10-trip tickets onto it; the tourist travel pass gives unlimited travel on all public transport for a set number of days and is sold at Metro machines and at the airport (details not verified 2026).
Fares
Check current Metro single, 10-trip and tourist-pass prices on metromadrid.es or crtm.es. Metro trips to or from the airport stations carry an extra airport supplement. The Airport Express bus costs EUR 5 (esmadrid.com).
Lines and services
- MetroMetro de Madrid
Over 300 stations; the most useful lines for visitors are 1 (Sol, Atocha), 2 (Sol, Retiro, Ventas), 3 (Sol, Lavapiés, Legazpi for Matadero), 5 (La Latina, Ópera), 6 (circular: Moncloa, Príncipe Pío, Usera), 8 (Nuevos Ministerios to the airport) and 10 (Plaza de España, Santiago Bernabéu).
- BusEMT city buses
Red/blue EMT buses cover gaps in the Metro (e.g. Retiro, Madrid Río). Night 'búho' buses run from Cibeles when the Metro is closed.
- BusAirport Express bus
Links Barajas airport with the city centre in about 40 minutes, runs 24 hours and accepts card payment (esmadrid.com).
- TrainCercanías (Renfe suburban trains)
Connect Madrid with El Escorial, Aranjuez and other towns; also a fast link between Atocha, Sol and Chamartín.
- TaxiMadrid white taxis (red diagonal stripe)
Hail on the street (green light = free) or at ranks; Uber, Cabify and FREE NOW also operate. Airport trips within the M-30 ring have a regulated flat fare (amount not verified 2026).
- BikeBiciMAD
The city's public e-bike system, part of Madrid 360; docking stations across the centre and along Madrid Río.
Common trips
Puerta del SolPrado Museum15 min
Walk down Calle de las Huertas through the Barrio de las Letras
- Metro L1 Sol to Estación del Arte (3 stops)
Puerta del SolRoyal Palace15 min
Walk along Calle Mayor or Calle Arenal
- Metro L2 Sol to Ópera then 5 min walk
Puerta del SolRetiro Park10 min
Metro L2 Sol to Retiro (3 stops)
- Walk via Calle de Alcalá (about 20 min)
Atocha stationPuerta del Sol10 min
Cercanías one stop Atocha to Sol, or Metro L1 (3 stops)
- Walk up Calle de Atocha (about 20 min)
Puerta del SolTemple of Debod15 min
Metro L3 Sol to Plaza de España then 5 min walk
- Walk via Gran Vía (about 25 min)
Puerta del SolSantiago Bernabéu25 min
Metro L1 Sol to Tribunal, change to L10 to Santiago Bernabéu
- Bus along the Castellana
Puerta del SolUsera (Chinatown)25 min
Metro L3 Sol to Legazpi, then L6 to Usera
- Metro L3 to Almendrales and walk 10 min
Puerta del SolMatadero / Madrid Río15 min
Metro L3 Sol to Legazpi (5 stops)
- Walk along Madrid Río from Príncipe Pío
Puerta del SolSan Antonio de la Florida20 min
Metro L2 Sol to Ópera, change to R line to Príncipe Pío, then 10 min walk
- Walk via the Royal Palace and Cuesta de San Vicente (about 30 min)
Puerta del SolFaro de Moncloa / Museo de América20 min
Metro L3 Sol to Moncloa (5 stops)
- Bus via Princesa
Puerta del SolEl Capricho Park45 min
Metro L2 to Ópera, then L5 to El Capricho
- Taxi (about 30 min)
Barajas AirportCity centre40 min
Airport Express bus (EUR 5, 24h)
- Metro L8 then change
- Cercanías from T4
- Taxi at regulated flat fare
To and from the airport
MAD
- Bus · 40 minEUR 5 (esmadrid.com, 2026)
Airport Express bus, 24 hours, card payment accepted; the fastest cheap option to the centre (Atocha/Cibeles).
- Metro · 45 minMetro fare plus airport supplement (amounts not verified 2026)
Line 8 from the airport terminals to Nuevos Ministerios, then change; cheap if you travel light.
- Train · 30 minCercanías fare (not verified 2026)
Cercanías from Terminal 4 to Chamartín, Nuevos Ministerios, Sol and Atocha (not verified 2026).
- Taxi · 30 minRegulated flat fare within the M-30 ring (amount not verified 2026)
Take only the official white taxis from the rank; refuse drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
Good to know
- The historic centre is small; walking between Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace and the Prado is often faster than the Metro.
- The Airport Express bus runs 24 hours and takes cards, so late arrivals don't need a taxi.
- Thieves work in teams in crowded places; keep phones and wallets in front pockets on the Metro.
- Tram-like 'Metro Ligero' lines are separate and serve the outer suburbs only.
Useful apps
- Metro de Madrid (official)
- EMT Madrid (buses, BiciMAD)
- Renfe Cercanías
- Citymapper
- Google Maps
- Uber / Cabify / FREE NOW