Overview
The Madrid Metro is one of Europe's largest rapid transit systems, serving Spain's capital and its metropolitan area. The network comprises thirteen conventional heavy-rail lines totalling 296.6 kilometres and three light-rail lines (Metro Ligero) adding a further 27.8 kilometres. As a visitor, you'll find the system straightforward to navigate: you purchase a reusable contactless card (Multi Card) for €2.50, load it with a ticket type of your choice at vending machines or authorized retailers, and tap it at the gates to enter stations and on buses when boarding. The system runs daily from 06:00 to 01:30, giving you extended access to the city. All of Madrid's public transport—metro, buses, suburban rail (Cercanías), and trams—operates on a unified fare system managed by the CRTM (Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid), so a single card works across all modes.
The network
Heavy-rail metro lines
The thirteen conventional metro lines are numbered 1 through 12, plus line A (known as Línea A). These lines cover the central city and expanding outwards. Line 1 connects Pinar de Chamartín in the north to Vallecar in the south. Line 8 (pink) is particularly important for visitors, as it connects the airport terminals to Nuevos Ministerios station in the city centre. Line 10 serves the northern and eastern suburbs. All conventional lines operate with left-hand running, a legacy of the system's design since its opening in 1919.
Light-rail lines (Metro Ligero)
Three light-rail lines supplement the heavy-rail network, operating at street level in peripheral areas. These lines serve outlying districts and towns including Rivas-Vaciamadrid and Arganda del Rey. Unlike the conventional metro, these lines run on the right side of the track.
Suburban rail (Cercanías)
The Madrid Cercanías system, operated by national rail company Renfe, provides commuter and regional connections. Key lines for visitors include C-1 and C-10, which connect Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (Terminal 4) to Atocha station in the city centre without requiring a separate airport supplement ticket. Cercanías tickets are issued on reusable "+renfe & tú" cards.
Buses
A large network of urban bus lines operated by city-owned EMT Madrid covers central Madrid. Express bus 203 (Exprés Aeropuerto) connects the airport to the city centre. Bus 200 runs from Avenida de América transport hub to the airport. Night service is provided by bus N27 from Cibeles to the airport terminals. These buses accept the same unified transit tickets and cards as the metro.
Tickets & fares
Multi Card and ticket types
You must first purchase a Multi Card, a reusable contactless card costing €2.50. This card is anonymous and can be shared among travellers. Once you have a Multi Card, you load it with one of several ticket types.
Single journeys and short trips
A single ticket for Zone A (central Madrid) costs approximately €1.50 for journeys of up to five stations, rising to €2.00 for longer journeys of more than ten stations. These tickets can be purchased from metro ticket vending machines or directly from bus drivers. Single tickets do not allow transfers between metro and bus; if you need to switch modes, purchase a 10-trip ticket instead.
Multi-journey tickets
A 10-trip ticket (Metrobús) costs approximately €10.90 in January 2026 and allows transfers between metro and buses. From July 2025 onwards, the Spanish government is offering temporary fare reductions of 40 per cent on 10-trip tickets and 30-day passes for adults aged 26–64. Children under 4 travel free; children under 11 receive a 50 per cent discount. Children aged 7–14 travel free under the government scheme running through December 2025.
Tourist tickets
If you plan to use public transport extensively, Tourist Tickets offer unlimited travel across Zone A and discounted admission to some attractions. Prices are approximately: 1 day €10.00, 2 days €17.00, 3 days €22.50, 4 days €27.00, 5 days €32.50, and 7 days €42.00. These tickets allow unlimited transfers between all modes and can be purchased at any metro station or the CRTM headquarters.
Where and how to buy
Purchase Multi Cards and load tickets at automatic red vending machines in metro stations, at the airport, and at other authorized sales points. You can also buy Metro and bus tickets at tobacco shops (estancos), though these typically sell cards only, not top-ups. No paper tickets remain in use; all transactions are card-based.
Validity and zones
Tickets are priced according to zones. Zone A covers central Madrid and is sufficient for most visitors. Cercanías suburban trains operate on a separate zone system but are included in the unified CRTM fare scheme; Cercanías tickets are issued on "+renfe & tú" reusable cards and do not require the Multi Card. Note that Tourist Tickets are not valid on the Airport Express Bus.
Fares and prices listed are approximate and subject to change; the government's 40 per cent reduction scheme for multi-journey tickets is scheduled to run through December 2025.
From the airport
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport lies 13 kilometres north-east of the city centre and has two terminal complexes: Terminals 1, 2 & 3 and Terminals T4 & T4S. To transfer between complexes, use the free inter-terminal shuttle bus (running 24 hours, every 5 minutes daytime, taking 10 minutes between T1 and T4), or the automated train between T4 and T4S.
Metro Line 8
Metro Line 8 (pink) is the most popular option for reaching the city centre. It runs from Nuevos Ministerios station to Terminals 1, 2 & 3, and T4, operating from 06:00 to 01:30. Journey time is approximately 15–20 minutes from the airport to Nuevos Ministerios in central Madrid, with an additional 5 minutes to T4. The fare is approximately €5.00, which includes a €3.00 airport supplement. Trains run every 4–8 minutes. You will need to purchase a Multi Card (€2.50) and load it with a single ticket (€2.00 approx.) or Tourist Ticket if you plan further travel.
Cercanías suburban rail
Cercanías lines C-1 and C-10 provide a direct connection from Terminal 4 to Atocha station without requiring a separate airport supplement, making them cost-effective for those without a Multi Card. Tickets are issued on "+renfe & tú" reusable cards available at T4 stations. You can transfer to other terminals using the free inter-terminal bus.
Airport Express Bus
The Exprés Aeropuerto bus 203 runs from Atocha station and Cibeles to Terminals 1, 2 & 4, operating 06:00–23:30 and stopping every 15–20 minutes. Journey time is approximately 30–40 minutes. Bus 200 runs from Avenida de América transport hub to the same terminals, 05:00–23:30 every 10–20 minutes. At night, bus N27 is the only public transport option, running every 35 minutes from Cibeles to Terminals 1, 2 & 4. The Airport Express Bus fare is approximately €5.00.
Taxis and other options
Taxis are readily available at the airport with a fixed fare of €33 for trips to anywhere in central Madrid (defined as inside the M-30 expressway). Various long-distance bus operators (Alsa, Avanza, Socibus) also serve the airport, connecting to destinations across Spain and Europe.
Etiquette & customs
Queuing and boarding
Madrid commuters generally queue for trains and buses. Allow people to exit before boarding, especially during rush hours.
Escalators
When using escalators, stand on the right and walk on the left to let others pass, following the pattern used in much of continental Europe.
Priority and reserved seating
Seats marked or designated in blue are reserved for elderly passengers, pregnant women, disabled travellers, and those with small children. Offer your seat if you see someone who needs it more.
Eating, drinking, and noise
Eating and drinking are not permitted on the metro or buses. While the system is generally less strictly enforced than some other European networks, discretion is appreciated. Speak quietly on platforms and trains, especially in the evenings and during off-peak hours, and avoid loud phone conversations.
Rush hours
Peak travel times are typically 07:00–09:00 in the morning and 17:00–20:00 in the evening on weekdays. During these periods, trains and buses are crowded; expect close quarters and delays. Plan your journey accordingly, and allow extra time if travelling during these windows.
Official links
- Metro de Madrid (English)
- CRTM – Regional Transport Consortium (unified fare system and journey planning)
Survival terms
- Metro / Metrô (Spanish: metro) – subway or rapid transit system
- Billete / Tarjeta (Spanish: billete for ticket, tarjeta for card) – ticket or reloadable card
- Línea (Spanish: línea) – line (e.g., Línea 1, Línea 8)
- Entrada (Spanish: entrada) – entrance
- Salida (Spanish: salida) – exit
- Transbordo / Cambio (Spanish: transbordo or cambio) – transfer between lines or modes
- Billete sencillo (Spanish: billete sencillo) – single journey ticket
- Bono de 10 viajes (Spanish: bono de 10 viajes) – 10-trip ticket
- Tarjeta turística (Spanish: tarjeta turística) – Tourist ticket or pass
Download the official Metro de Madrid app or use Google Maps before your trip to plan your route, as the system's layout can seem complex at first, but with a bit of preparation you'll navigate it confidently.