Guide · Madrid
Getting around Madrid: metro, Cercanías, tickets and walking
Madrid is compact in the center and spread out beyond it, with the best metro in Spain and trains that put three World Heritage cities under an hour away. Here is how to move without overspending.
The metro is fast and runs late
Twelve lines, trains every 2 to 4 minutes, from 6:00 to 1:30 every day. Sol (L1, L2, L3) is the hub. Prado and Thyssen from Banco de España (L2), the Reina Sofía from Atocha (L1), the Royal Palace from Ópera (L2, L5), La Latina (L5), the Bernabéu (L10). Stations are deep and most have lifts.
Which ticket to buy
Buy a Multi card at any machine and load a 10 journey ticket for zone A, which covers the whole city and the Cercanías inside it. The card can be passed between people. The tourist pass is only worth it if you ride more than 4 times a day. The airport needs a supplement on any ticket.
Cercanías for the day trips and Atocha
The suburban trains link Atocha, Sol, Chamartín and the airport's Terminal 4, and reach El Escorial, Aranjuez and Alcalá in under an hour. Toledo and Segovia are high speed trains with a reserved seat from Atocha and Chamartín, 33 and 27 minutes.
Walking distances
Sol to Plaza Mayor: 4 minutes. Sol to the Royal Palace: 10. Sol to the Prado: 15. Prado to the Reina Sofía along the Paseo: 12. Gran Vía end to end: 20. In summer the city empties from 14:00 to 19:00 for a reason: walk early and late.
Taxis, apps and bikes
White taxis with a red stripe are everywhere and metered. Cabify and Uber show a quote first. BiciMAD electric bikes are open to visitors through the app, and the Retiro and the river park at Madrid Río are the pleasant rides.
| Need | Best option | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 5 days, several rides a day | 10 journey ticket on a Multi card, zone A | metromadrid.es fares |
| Toledo, Segovia, Escorial, Aranjuez, Alcalá | Avant, high speed or Cercanías from Atocha and Chamartín | renfe.com |
| Night, luggage, 3 or more people | Taxi or app | madrid.es taxi |
Checked 16 September 2026. Fares are updated by the transport consortium, usually in January. The table links the operators instead of quoting a figure that expires.
Questions travelers ask
Which transport ticket should I buy in Madrid?
For 2 to 5 days, the 10 journey ticket loaded on a Multi card, valid on metro and EMT buses in zone A, which is the whole city. It can be shared: two people can use the same card one after the other. The card itself costs a small fee at any machine and lasts 10 years.
Is Madrid walkable?
Yes, the center is. Sol to the Prado is 15 minutes, Sol to the Royal Palace 10, Sol to La Latina 10. The Bernabéu and the airport are metro trips. Madrid sits at 650 meters and summer afternoons pass 35 degrees, so walk in the morning and after 19:00 from June to September.
How late does the Madrid metro run?
From 6:00 to 1:30 every day of the week, with trains every 2 to 4 minutes in the daytime. After 1:30 the night buses, called búhos, leave from Cibeles to every district until 6:00.
How do you get from Madrid to Toledo and Segovia by train?
Toledo: Avant train from Atocha in 33 minutes, 12 or more departures a day. Segovia: high speed train from Chamartín to Segovia Guiomar in 27 minutes, then bus 11 to the aqueduct. Both need a booked seat, so buy a day or two ahead in high season.
Are taxis in Madrid expensive?
No by European standards. A ride across the center in the daytime is a short metered trip, and 4 people in a taxi often pay less per person than 4 metro tickets. Official taxis are white with a red stripe and always use the meter. Cabify and Uber show a fixed quote first.
Can visitors use BiciMAD bikes in Madrid?
Yes. BiciMAD, the city's electric bike scheme, sells occasional passes in its app to anyone with a card, no residency needed. The center is hilly in places, so the electric assist matters. Helmets are not mandatory in the city.