Public Transportation in Madrid

The capital of Spain is known for having one of the best European public transportation system. It’s affordable, expansive, and efficient. Moreover, it’s kept quite clean and pretty safe.

Even the estranged locations can be reached by a combination of bus and metro, and transport usually won’t take longer than forty minutes. The tren de cercanías can also be taken as an extension to more rural areas. Madrid has 170 bus lines, 13 metro lines, and 10 long distance trains.

Citylife Madrid is a company that has written extensive information on how to settle in the city even beyond the public transportation system. Their website is a good reference for step-by-step guidance on the formal process of getting set up in Madrid, but they also organize trips and give information on fun things to do.

Traveling by Metro

Photo sourced from esmadrid.com

The city of Madrid is connected by over 300 metro stations, so it’s an efficient way to travel throughout the city. You can first hop on the metro just after 6:00 am and the last train will run just after 1:30 am, so the metro is closed by 2:00am.

A single trip on the metro will cost you two euros or less, but this doesn’t apply if you choose to purchase the monthly subscription. The first time you buy a pass in Madrid, you will also need to buy the plastic card so that it can be scanned for entrance to the metro, bus, and tren de cercanías. But not to worry, the card only costs 2.50 euros.

A unique feature of Madrid’s metro system is the Bibliometro, or libraries within the metro where you can rent a book at one stop and drop it off at another. Reading a book is one of the best ways to pass the time during transportation.

In order to use this great service, you’ll have to become a member. To sign up, you have to either be a Spanish citizen or to have a valid residence card. Even if you’ve yet to receive your card, you can bring the document that says you’re in the process and you will still be accepted to the Bibliometro.

Once subscribed, you can take out up to seven books at a time. Then, you’ll never have a boring metro ride again. There are 17 libraries in the metro system, and the sixth line has four book vending machines.

The Bibliometro stocks the shelves with titles on everything from physical health to philosophy. What more could you ask for to make your travels through Madrid pleasurable?

Traveling by Bus

Photo sourced from Scania News

Did you know there are over 10,000 bus stops in Madrid? Surely, you’ll find a way to get where you need to go with this efficient system.

The bus can also come in handy during the four hours that the metro is closed. Of course, the frequency of the trips is reduced, but it’s not so bad to wait 10 minutes. The night bus runs from around midnight to 6am.

Each trip by bus costs 1.50 euros, and should be paid  to the driver in coins, as no more than 5 euros in change will be given.  However, if you choose to sign up for the personal card, you can just scan this upon entrance for free.

Traveling by Tren de Cercanías

Photo sourced from Alerta Ecónomia

The Tren de Cercanías is Madrid’s commuter rail for Madrid and its metropolitan area. It is owned by Renfe, the state-owned enterprise that can take you to and from all the best destinations in Spain.

This line of trains takes you to the suburbs of Madrid with no extra hassle. The personal card also gives access to the Tren de Cercanías, and it’s included in the monthly price.

These long distance trains are used frequently by students whose universities are located outside the city center, and by those who live in an urban area but work in the center. However, they are there for you to use no matter what your travel plans are.

What is the Multi Card?

Photo sourced from Metro de Madrid

The Multi Card is the red plastic card that can be purchased at metro stop machines and loaded with single journeys or 10-trip passes. It’s the quickest and cheapest way to get where you need to go when you’ve just arrived in Madrid.

The card will be valid for 10 years after you buy it since it’s reloadable. Then, you’ll just touch your card to the machine at the entrance whenever you’re going somewhere, and reload it at the machine when it runs out.

The best thing about this card is that it can be used for everything while you’re in Madrid. But it can be a hassle to reload it every few trips. The Multi Card is best for those who will only be spending a weekend in Madrid. For long-term residents, it’s better to get the Personal Public Transport Card.

What is the Personal Public Transport Card?

Photo sourced from Metro de Madrid

The monthly, yearly, and other discount rates must be used with a PPTC. This is the reason for setting up for an appointment, getting your photo taken, and paying four euros for processing.

The Personal Public Transport Card is the multi-use, subscription-based transportation card. It looks like a red credit card with your photo on it and you’ll be using it as often as you use your debit. It’s the most convenient way to get around the city, and with it, you will hardly ever need to call a taxi or an Uber, which can get pricey.

The price of a car ride to the MAD airport is roughly the same as the price of the monthly abono card. When trips in the car start piling up, you might wish you could just hop on the metro. As you can see, it’s a good idea to do just that.

The Personal Public Transport Card also serves to provide reduced fares for large families and individuals with disabilities of at least 65%. If this applies to you, make sure to set up an appointment.

How do you sign up?

In order to take advantage of the reduced fare for students, one must set an appointment at one of the many metro station offices. Upon arrival, certification of studies is confirmed, a photo is taken, and the card is provided to the student.

Unfortunately, some students don’t take advantage of this opportunity. Whether they are too lazy to set up an appointment, or they figure the discount is trivial, it actually causes more hassle in the future.

By setting up an appointment at tarjetatransportepublico.es and bringing the necessary documents, you can set yourself up for simple transportation for the remainder of your studies. From then on, you’ll simply have to recharge the card on a monthly basis.

There are offices with appointments available at major stations such as Airport Terminals 2 and 4, Moncloa, Sol, and Atocha Renfe. A list of every office can be found at the following link.

What are the costs?

Neighboring metropolitan cities like Amsterdam and Berlin have steeper fees for daily and weekly passes. Madrid is more affordable by comparison,  offering a fairly priced monthly pass to its locals.

Students pay an amazing price of only 20 euros per month. This subscription discount is called the abono. The red card can be refilled as needed in front of the metro entrance by cash or card. The only catch is that a student card cannot be obtained from the machine.

What does the ticket include?

A purchased ticket works for the bus, metro, and tren de cercanías, so that you can access the entire public system with one pass. Bus trips can be paid in cash when getting on. Otherwise, you just tap your card.

Madrid is a large city that covers an extensive amount of land. That’s why you’re really getting the most for your money when you pay for the monthly fee. The daily cost equates to less than a euro and gives access to the whole package.

What if you’re 26 years old or older?

Unfortunately, Madrid’s public transportation system only has age discounts for young people, for the purpose of assisting students who may be on a tight budget.

For adults, the only reduced fares are those for large families and disabilities. Though there is usually a smaller fee for senior travelers of 65 years and older. Beyond that, the prices are standard and vary depending on which zones you will be utilizing and how many of them you will travel in.

The great thing about Madrid is that you can access the whole system with one pass. After properly setting up to be able to buy the abono, you’ll be ready to enjoy unlimited travel across the city.

The plenitude of stops around Madrid make it accessible to get to wherever you want to go. Whatever can’t be accessed by metro can be accessed by bus, and the rest can be accessed by tren de cercanías if it’s farther from the center.

If you are adventurous enough to figure out the system,  you will never need to call a taxi or Uber. As with most other European cities, traveling by car can sometimes be less direct than public transportation. Madrid has you covered when it comes to transport so that you can get where you need to go and enjoy the city.