Public Transport in Madrid: Apps, Tickets & Tips 2026
Last updated: June 2026
#6 most visited city in Europe
Best ticketTourist Ticket Zone A · 3 days €22,50 + €2,50 Multi Card = €25,00 total. Unlimited Metro + Bus including Airport Supplement.
How to payTap a contactless bank card or phone at the gate — live at all Metro gates since June 2026 (unlock your phone first; Express Mode isn't supported). A Multi Card (€2,50) is still needed for Tourist Tickets, the 10-trip Metrobús and discount fares.
Don't get caughtAirport Supplement (€3,00) expires same day (until 01:30). Buy it on the day of your flight — not in advance. Fine for no ticket: €100+.
1. The Airport Supplement expires after 1 day! The €3 Airport Supplement is ONLY
valid on the day of purchase (until 01:30). If you buy it on Monday for Friday, you'll need to purchase
it again on Friday. This is the #1 tourist mistake.
2. Contactless now works — but Express Mode doesn't. Since June 2026 you can tap a bank
card or Apple Pay / Google Pay at any Metro gate, and your fares are grouped into one daily charge. You
must unlock your phone before tapping — Express / Transit Mode is not supported yet. A physical Multi
Card (€2,50) is still required for Tourist Tickets, the 10-trip Metrobús and child / senior discounts.
3. No automatic fare capping! Madrid does NOT automatically calculate the best price
like London. If you take 5+ trips per day, manually purchase a Tourist Ticket (Zone A: €10,00 for 1
day).
4. Cercanías ≠ Metro. The Cercanías commuter trains (orange logo) are a SEPARATE
system operated by Renfe. Metro tickets do NOT work there. You need separate Cercanías tickets (€2,60
to the airport T4).
Quick Check before you board
Tap a contactless card or phone at the gate (unlock first), or buy a Multi Card (€2,50) for Tourist Tickets and passes
For 5+ trips a day or airport travel: load a Tourist Ticket / 10-trip Metrobús (€7,30) onto a Multi Card
For the airport: buy the Airport Supplement (€3) on the SAME DAY as your trip
Download the Official Metro de Madrid app for real-time info
Check lift status in the app if you have a wheelchair/stroller
Which ticket should you buy?
Roammate advice
For most 3–5 day trips: the Tourist Ticket Zone A (€22,50 for 3 days / €32,50 for 5 days) gives unlimited Metro and bus including the Airport Supplement — no separate airport ticket needed. For a single day with airport: the 1-day version (€10,00) still includes the airport — that alone is worth €3,00.
Free travel: Tarjeta Azul (Spanish residents with Blue Card) + companion free
in Zone A. Tourists: no special discount, but the Youth Pass (<26) is affordable (€10/month all
zones)
Service animals: Welcome on all Metro/Bus services at no extra charge
Route 1: Airport → Sol → The Prado Museum
Board Metro Line 8 (pink, fully accessible) → transfer at Sol → Line 2 (red) → Banco de España
(lift). The Prado has a lift + wheelchair-accessible entrance at Puerta de los Jerónimos.
Route 2: Atocha Station → The Retiro Park → Gran Vía
Atocha (lift) → Line 1 (blue) → Retiro (lift, park has paved paths) → Sol (lift) → Gran Vía
(lifts at all exits).
Route 3: Sol → The Royal Palace → Plaza Mayor
Sol → Line 2 to Ópera (lift, The Royal Palace 300m via paved paths) → back to Sol → Plaza Mayor
(5 min walk, elevation changes but smooth paving).
Stations without lifts (avoid these)
Antón Martín (Line 1) – stairs only
Lavapiés (Line 3) – stairs only
Tribunal (Line 1, 10) – stairs only
Chueca (Line 5) – stairs only
Visual Impairment
NaviLens app: QR-code navigation system deployed on all Line 8 (airport line) stations; provides spoken guidance to lifts, platforms and exits from up to 15 metres. Also installed at EMT bus stops across the city.
Audio announcements: Stop names broadcast inside all metro trains; EMT buses use the SIENA system (automatic voice + screen announcements of line, direction and next stop). Door opening/closing signals with sound and LED fitted on 62% of rolling stock since December 2023.
Ticket machines & stops: Existing fleet includes braille indicators and voice navigation — developed in partnership with ONCE (Spain's national blind organisation). Bus stop marquees have braille alarm buttons.
Night transport & late hours
When does regular public transport stop?
Metro: Last departure ~01:00–01:30 (arrival ~01:30–02:00)
Buses: Most routes until ~23:30
Weekends: Some Metro lines (1, 2, 3, 5) run until ~02:00 on Friday/Saturday
nights
Búho (Owl) Night Buses
Hours: 23:30–06:00
Routes: 27 (N1 to N27)
Hub: ALL routes start/end at Plaza de Cibeles
Frequency: Every 20–30 min
Fare: €1,50 at the driver (cash) or Multi Card
Recognition: Blue buses with owl logo, N-numbers
Key Búho routes for tourists
N1: Cibeles – Pinar de Chamartín (north)
N2: Cibeles – Atocha – Vallecas (southeast)
N3: Cibeles – Aluche (west)
N4: Cibeles – Moncloa – Pozuelo (northwest)
N5: Cibeles – Legazpi (south)
Express Bus 203 (24/7 to the airport!)
Route: Atocha → Cibeles → Airport (T1-T2-T4)
Hours: 24/7 (365 days)
Fare: €5,00
Ideal for: Early/late flights
Mobility as a Service (bikes, scooters, car sharing)
BiciMAD (Electric bikes)
Stations: 258 in the city centre
Bikes: 2,500+ electric bikes
Prices:
Casual 1 hour: €2,00
Casual 2 hours: €4,00
First 30 min: Free, then €0,60/30min
Note: Madrid is HILLY! E-bikes help, but The Retiro Park = flat and ideal
for cycling
E-scooters (Lime, Tier, Dott)
Price: €1 unlock + €0,20–€0,30/min
No-go zones: Gran Vía, Plaza Mayor, The Retiro Park (€200 fine!)
Parking: Only in designated spots (shown in app), not on pavements
Tip: Download the Lime app (most scooters in Madrid)
Car sharing
Emov: €0,24/min (electric Smart cars)
Zity: €0,26/min (Renault Zoe)
For tourists: Parking is DIFFICULT in the city centre. Public transport is
the better option.
Motorbike sharing
Cooltra: €0,27/min (electric scooters 50–125cc)
Requires: Motorcycle licence (A1 minimum)
Roammate Tip
Tip: All-in-one app for shared transport
In Madrid you can use the umob app. It lets you easily book and pay for all
shared transport (bikes, scooters, cars) from different providers in one convenient app. No
need for separate accounts anymore.
eSIM & Internet
Madrid has a very extensive and modern 5G network. An eSIM is handy for instantly checking your
balance on the Tarjeta Transporte app (iOS) or Mi Tarjeta Transporte (Android) and planning your route to Plaza Mayor.
Roammate Tip
Airalo eSIMFrom $4,50
Recommended for most travelers. Quick activation and reliable
coverage across Madrid.