Transport in Madrid

Getting here

By plane
Madrid’s Barajas Airport, code MAD, is located around 15 km (9 miles) from the capital’s city center. This airport is fast developing into a major hub on an international scale and handles over 25 million passengers a year. There are several convenient connections from the airport into the city:

• Hopping on a bus: every 15 minutes a number 89 bus leaves the airport headed for Plaza de Colón. The trip lasts for an approximate 30 minutes and the fare is around € 2.40.- Another option is taking a number 101 bus to the Canillejas station.
• Flagging a taxi: depending on the traffic, the taxi ride into town will last you between 20 to 40 minutes. Fares are charged using a taximeter and will cost you around € 20.-
• Taking the metro: the airport terminal has direct access to the Madrid metro system. There is also a METRO Information Stand where any questions or doubts you may have will be cleared up and where you can obtain a map of the metro system. The service runs continually and the ride into town lasts around 12 minutes.
• Renting a car: at the terminal are various car rental agencies, such as Budget, Europcar, Nacional, Internet and Herz. From the airport you’ll have to take the nacional motorway N100, then the N2 access and finally the M30 or M40 motorways to reach Madrid’s city center.

By car
The most common access by road into Madrid is from France with the main access route at the eastern end of the Pyrenees. Two options are available: the express highway, the E-15, or the more scenic costal road.

By train or bus
an interesting option for those interested in enjoying the Spanish and French countryside on the way. The train is still the more comfortable and faster option. Many private companies offer services from Madrid to other European cities although usually connections are required in France.

Getting around:

In Madrid there are several means of transport to get you around town, namely the subway network, the bus service and the train. Taking a taxi or renting a moped is also an option. Bikes are not that common here as in other European cities...and given the chaotic traffic it is really no wonder.

Metro: In total, the metro network connects 161 stations. Trains run every 3 to 5 minutes from 6 am to 1:30 am. The fare costs around €1.15.

Bus: Madrid has a total of 170 bus lines servicing the city and the outer suburban areas. Schedules and frequency vary according to times and areas being serviced. Buses generally run between 6 am and 11:45 pm. Around 25 bus lines run during night hours.

Trains: The commuter trains are another transport option. Run by the state company RENEFE, trains run from Atocha and Chamartín stations and reach many great sightseeing destinations as well as the airport. The service runs every 3 to 5 minutes from 6 am to 11 pm.

If you’re keen on using the public transport system more frequently, it may be a good idea to get a “Diez Viaje“ or a ten-ride ticket for around €5 that is valid for both buses and the metro. Another possibility is purchasing an „Abono Turístico“ – with this special ticket you will have access to various means of transport for a certain period of time without having to pay the fare each time you climb on a bus or take the subway.

Taxi: Official taxis in Madrid are white with a diagonal red stripe and the city shield on the door. Taxis are very convenient to get around town in but remember that the meter keeps running!

Rental cars: many important rental car companies have agencies in Madrid. Having a car at your disposal is a convenient option although you may have to get used to the somewhat chaotic traffic behaviour. Parking can also be an issue.

Roller Blading: a fun way of getting around Madrid if you have the time and the energy is sporting a pair of roller blades...you’ll get plenty of exercise and at least parking won’t be a problem! But hectic traffic conditions don’t really make this the best option.

Our Spanish Language School in Madrid is ideally situated so that students are just minutes away from the city's means of public transport.