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Transportation in Madrid
Madrid continues to grow, with new suburbs springing up, and thanks to a well-planned metro, bus and train transport system, the city is easily accessible.
Most major airlines fly to Madrid any day of the week. Trains from Paris, or other parts of Europe are convenient, but may take time. Traveling by bus to Madrid is yet another inexpensive option. Buses leave the Madrid Barajas Airport every 15 minutes, traveling underneath the Plaza Colon in the city centre to the bus station, which is conveniently linked with the metro system. The trip takes 30 minutes and costs some 2,50 EUR.
The metro is quick, efficient and comfortable. Its station can be found in Terminal 2 of the airport. However, passengers must change trains twice to reach the city centre. Taxis are located outside the terminals. Depending on traffic, taxis to the city centre average between 20 and 30 minutes. The usual fare into the centre costs between 17 and 25 EUR. AeroCITY vans operate around the clock, with each van carrying up to seven passengers. Depending on destination, the van costs between 17 and 38 EUR. Reservations are encouraged but not required.
Bus
The easiest and less expensive way to move around Madrid is by purchasing a Metrobus card, with 10 tickets. The city provides an extensive bus system featuring more than 150 lines. Buses run until 1.00am and are very efficient because they travel along special lanes. Bus tickets can also be used for the metro and are available at most estancos (shops for tobacco and stamps) and in many newspaper kiosks.
| Fare Type: | Who? | Price: | Validity: |
| Metrobus card |
All |
5,80 EUR |
10 trips |
| Single ticket |
All |
1,00 EUR |
One trip |
|
Taxi
Oficina Municipal del Taxi is the main organisation for taxis in Madrid, which are white with a red stripe and green light on the roof. They are available at taxi stands and on the street. There are surcharges for additional passengers, as well as for luggage, telephone and airport pick-up.
| Fare Type: | Who? | Price: | Validity: |
| Initial price |
All |
1,35 EUR |
Fee must be paid |
| Per each kilometre |
All |
0,65 EUR |
|
| Surcharge for airport ride |
All |
4,00 EUR |
|
| Surcharge for railway station |
All |
2,00 EUR |
|
|
Car
Due to frequent traffic jams, impatient drivers and parking availability, driving in the centre of Madrid is not recommended to tourists. Visitors who want to use a car park should make use of centrally located car parks at Plaza Santa Ana, Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Oriente. Bays marked with green lines are available for residents, but non-residents can use them for up to one hour, by parking metre. Bays marked with blue lines are ideal for parking for a maximum of two hours, at the parking meter.
| Fare Type: | Who? | Price: | Validity: |
| Price for blue parking |
All |
0,95 EUR |
60 minutes |
| Price for blue parking |
All |
2,50 EUR |
120 minutes |
| Price for green parking |
All |
1,80 EUR |
60 minutes |
|
Train
The local train network, operated by Cercanías, consists of nine lines and provides a quick link between Charmartín Station and Atocha Station to destinations Toledo and El Escorial. Trains do not operate late in the night. The ‘suburb-to-Madrid’ lines (C-2, C-3, C-4, C-8) make a direct connection between the suburbs and the city centre; The ‘suburb-to-suburb’ lines (C-1, C-5, C-7, C-10) link two suburbs and ‘suburb-to-Madrid’ only; and C-9 line can be taken as well.
| Fare Type: | Who? | Price: | Validity: |
| Carnet |
All |
5,65–26,20 EUR |
Bonotren (10 trips) |
| Single ticket |
All |
1,10 EUR |
Single trip, Zone 1 and 2 |
| Single ticket |
All |
1,20 EUR |
Single trip, Zone 3 |
| Single ticket |
All |
2,25 EUR |
Single trip, Zone 5 |
| Single ticket |
All |
3,40 EUR |
Single trip, Zone 7 |
|
Metro
The metro system covers more than 227km and runs daily every three to five minutes, 6.00am–1.30am. The 12 metro lines are marked by colour and number. New Metro Sur lines travel to areas south of Madrid. Travel between the Metro and Metro Sur costs more than the standard ticket price. Single tickets for the metro can be purchased onboard and at stations. Metrobús tickets (a carnet of 10 trips) can be purchased from metro stations, estancos (tobacconists) and EMT kiosks at Plaza de Callao and Puerta del Sol.
| Fare Type: | Who? | Price: | Validity: |
| 10 trip ticket |
All |
6,40 EUR |
10 trips |
| Single ticket |
All |
1,00 EUR |
1 trip |
|