Lines Currently Closed

Madrid - Arriving & Getting Around

Madrid Airport Transfers

Metro
The extensive metro network can be safely used for travel beyond the central area. To get the right direction look for the name of the last stop on the line you are using, eg. to go north on line 10 look for dark blue signs for Fuencarral. To go south on line 10 look for dark blue signs for Aluche. The 10 journey ticket costs about € 5 and is also valid on all city bus routes.
Airport Bus
The special airport bus runs between all the Barajas terminals and the Plaza Colón, on the Castellana in the centre of the city. There are six stops en route. At Colón the bus terminal is underground, beneath the main plaza, and connects with the Colón Metro station. Buses run in either direction about every 10-20 minutes between 4.45am and 1.30am, daily, and the journey should take between 45 minutes and one hour, depending on the traffic. A single ticket costs about €2.50.
Taxis to/from the Airport
A taxi to/from the airport should cost around 20 Euros though taxi drivers are notorious for overcharging recent arrivals. There are also additional supplements at night, on Sundays and for each item of luggage placed in the car boot.

General Transport

• Central Madrid is served by a comprehensive network of more than 150 city bus routes, a modern and extensive metro system and local trains to the neighbouring cities and towns. The main hub is Puerta del Sol.



• The Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid metro system covers more than 230km (143 miles) and is good value, clean and efficient, although crowded during rush hour. Trains run every three to five minutes, daily 0600-0130. Each of the 11 metro lines are distinguished by a colour and number (at stations and on maps).



• EMT runs Madrid’s bus service. Night buses, known as buhos (owls), also depart from Plaza de Cibeles for the suburbs, between nightly 0000 and 0600, and cost the same as an ordinary day ticket.

Taxis

Oficina Municipal del Taxi is the governing body for taxis in Madrid. City taxis - white with a diagonal red stripe and a green light on the roof - are available for hire at ranks or on the street. Meters start at €1.35 and rates per kilometre are €0.63 before 2300 and €0.81 thereafter. When entering a taxi, travellers should always check that the meter is not already running, as this is an occasional scam to overcharge passengers. There are surcharges for additional passengers, luggage and telephone or airport pick-up. Taxi touts should be avoided. For tipping, rounding up to the nearest Euro is appreciated.

Driving in the City

Due to frequent traffic jams, aggressive drivers and problematic parking, driving in central Madrid is not recommended to tourists. Visitors who ignore this advice should make use of centrally located car parks - including Plaza Santa Ana, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Oriente - costing €0.80 per half hour (€15.20 for a full day). Parking meters now operate in the city centre. These take the full range of coins and have operational instructions in English and other European languages. Illegally parked cars might be towed away. Impounded cars should be recovered as soon as possible as the fines rise every hour.