Getting around Madrid by Metro

Please keep in mind that when travelling by Metro you must wear a face mask at all times and maintain social distancing where possible.

You can read more about the safety and hygiene measures adopted by Metro here.

The Metro is the fastest, most efficient and reliable way of getting around Madrid. It is one of the largest metropolitan networks in Europe, connecting the entire city and a large part of the suburbs. Undoubtedly the most practical and economical option to move from the airport to the center and vice versa.

Boasting over 300 stations, the Madrid Metro currently comprises twelve metro lines, three Metro ligero tram lines and a special Ramal line connecting Ópera and Principe Pío stations. Particularly useful for people visiting Madrid is Line 8 which goes from Nuevos Ministerios in the centre to Adolfo-Suárez Madrid Barajas Airport (20 mins to T4 and just 12 mins to T1, T2 and T3). It also goes to the capital’s trade fair centre Feria de Madrid.

The Metro runs from 6am to 1.30am, with trains departing every 2 minutes in the morning rush hour and every 15 minutes in the early hours (after midnight). At weekends, trains are less frequent during the day. Pitis station (Line 7) and stations between Puerta de Arganda and Arganda del Rey station have different opening hours to the rest of the network. When lines suffer closures due to engineering works, alternative bus services are usually availabe at no extra cost.

Maps

Download the Metro map (1.7MB)
Download the Tourist Metro map (2.3MB)

Planned closures

This summer, Metro de Madrid will undertake an improvement and renovation plan on four lines, which will involve the closure of some of their stretches. The work, which seeks to enhance security and the quality of the installations, will be carried out on lines 6, 7, 9 and 12 (Metrosur). While these stretches are closed, the Regional Transport Consortium has scheduled different alternative and free bus services for Metro users to guarantee the mobility of travellers on these lines. The buses will cover the journeys of the stretches affected by closures. More info

Tickets

All pay-per-ride tickets must be loaded onto the Tarjeta Multi, a contactless, transferable plastic smartcard that is valid for up to 10 years.

You can purchase it for 2.50€ at all Metro and Metro ligero stations from ticket machines that have a red sticker saying Tarjeta MULTI Disponible AQUÍ, as well as from Estancos (tobacco shops) and other authorized retailers. It is free if you purchase the 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7-day Tourist Travel Pass, and once the pass expires, you can top up the smartcard with pay-per-ride tickets (single or 10-ride tickets).

Fares

The current fares are as follows:

SINGLE TICKET

• Metro ticket (Metro Zone A and ML1) (*): 1.50€ - 2.00€

10-TRIP TICKET

• Metro Zone A, EMT (bus) and ML1 ticket (Metrobús): 12.20€

TICKETS TO/FROM THE AIRPORT

• Single ticket (*) + Extra Airport Fee: 4.50€ - €5.00€
• Extra Airport Fee: 3.00€

(*) Journeys of up to 5 stations: 1.50 €.
Journeys between 6 and 9 stations: extra 0.10 € per station.
Journeys of 10 stations or more: 2.00 €.
When you purchase your single ticket from the ticket machine, simply select your destination and it will automatically calculate the shortest route.

For fairs that apply to less commonly used tickets (such as those for Metro ligero or Metro lines that go to the suburbs), check out this section on Metro's website.

Accessibility

Many of Metro's stations, especially the busier ones, have one or more lifts. The official Metro map clearly marks which stations are accessible.                               

Useful tips and information

• Single Metro tickets expire on the day they are purchased.
• Single bus tickets cannot be loaded on to the Tarjeta Multi smartcard, they must be purchased on the bus.
• Tickets for the Airport Express shuttle cannot be loaded on to the Tarjeta Multi, they must be purchased on the bus.
• Metro's website offers an online journey planner that helps you find the fastest route to your destination.
• If you are planning on using public transport a lot during your stay, consider purchasing the Tourist Travel Pass which entitles you to unlimited travel over your selected time period.
• Children under the age of 4 travel for free.
• Dogs are allowed to travel on the Madrid Metro. Only one dog is allowed per passenger, and it must have a lead and muzzle, and travel in the last coach of each train. They are allowed at any time, except during the morning and afternoon rush hours. More info about travelling with dogs.
• Bicycles can be folded on the platform and can be used all day at weekends and at different times during the week. More info about carrying bikes.

Travelling around the Comunidad de Madrid

If you wish to travel to towns in the Region of Madrid you can do so by Cercanías. This Renfe service has nine train lines that leave or pass through Atocha station and go to towns and villages in the region, including World Heritage sites such as Alcalá de Henares, the Monastery of El Escorial and Aranjuez. It also stops at T4 of Adolfo Suárez-Madrid Barajas Airport.