How to get around Madrid – A quick guide for travelers

Madrid is a walkable city with an excellent public transport system, plus plenty of convenient private transport options for every need and budget. Here’s how to get around efficiently:

1. Public Transport

A. Metro and Light Rail

• Fast, clean, and connects nearly every part of the city.

• Runs from 6:00 am to 1:30 am.

• Single ticket: €1.50 to €2.00

• 10-trip pass (valid for metro and buses): €12.20

• Airport supplement: €3.00 (applies to lines 8, 10, and R)
  

B. EMT Buses

• City buses in Madrid are modern and frequent.

• Single ride: €1.50

• Airport Express bus: €5.00 (24-hour service from Atocha/Cibeles to terminals)
  

C. Cercanías Trains

• Ideal for day trips or getting to suburban areas.

• Single ticket: €1.70 to €5.50 depending on zones

• Operated by Renfe (Spain’s national rail service)
  

D. Transport Card – Tarjeta Multi

• Rechargeable card required to use metro, buses, and trains.

• One-time cost: €2.50

• Available at metro stations, tobacco shops (estancos), and tourist offices
  

E. Tourist Travel Pass

• Unlimited travel on all public transport for a fixed number of days.

• Available for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days

• Prices for Zone A (central Madrid):

  • 1 day: €8.00

  • 2 days: €13.40

  • 3 days: €17.40

  • 5 days: €25.40

  • 7 days: €35.40

• No need for Multi Card—comes on its own

• Children under 11: 50% discount
  

2. Taxis

• White with a red diagonal stripe

• Available 24/7 and regulated by the city

• Meter starts at around €3.50, then around €1.10 per km

• Flat rate to/from the airport: €30 (to/from inside M-30 zone)

How to get one:

• Hail on the street, go to a taxi rank, or use an app like Free Now or PideTaxi
  

3. Ride-Hailing Services

Uber

• Widely available in Madrid

• Similar pricing to taxis, sometimes cheaper

• App-based, card payment only
  

Cabify

• Premium alternative to Uber

• Offers clean, quiet rides with driver info in advance

• Can be booked in advance or on-demand

• Often includes in-app promotions or flat rates
  

4. Carsharing and Scooters

For short city trips, Madrid offers several car- and scooter-sharing services:

Car-sharing options:

• Emov / Free2Move: Small electric cars, parkable anywhere in the city zone

• Zity: Similar service with a slightly wider range

• Wible: Larger vehicles, good for airport transfers or trips with luggage
  

How it works:

• Download the app, register with ID and license

• Pay per minute or per hour

• Parking, insurance, and fuel include
  

E-scooter and e-bike options:

• Lime, Bird, Bolt: Scooters

• BiciMAD: Public electric bikes (requires card or app)

Note: Always park in designated areas to avoid fines.

Summary

• Walking: Best for exploring central Madrid

• Public transport: Ideal for efficient city and airport connections

• Taxis/Uber/Cabify: Great for comfort, off-hours, or group travel

• Car/scooter sharing: Flexible and eco-friendly for short distances