Madrid travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain.
Madrid has one of Europe's most complete urban transit systems. The Metro (13 lines, 302 stations) is fast, clean, and safe, running 06:00–01:30 daily. EMT city buses cover every corner of the city 24 hours a day. Cercanías commuter trains reach surrounding towns and connect all mainline rail stations. The city is also flat and walkable in the centre — most key sights are within a 30-minute walk of Puerta del Sol.
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
| Option | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 8 | €4.50–€5 (~$4.90–$5.45) including airport supplement | 12–30 min to city centre | Most convenient; buy a 10-trip card (abono) at the airport machine and add the supplement separately |
| RENFE Express Bus 203 | €5 (~$5.45) | 35–40 min | Stops at Avenida de América and Nuevos Ministerios; buy ticket from driver or machine; runs overnight when Metro is closed |
| Airport Taxi | €33 flat rate day (~$36); €35–€40 night/weekend (~$38–$44) | 20–45 min depending on traffic | Official white taxis with a diagonal red stripe; flat rate from/to the airport — no meter; tip not required |
| Rideshare (Uber/Cabify) | €25–€45 (~$27–$49) | 20–45 min | Book via Uber or Cabify apps; compare fares before booking; surge pricing during events |
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Overview
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Madrid's Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) is 12 km northeast of the city. Metro Line 8 links Terminal 4 (via T4 satellite) and Terminals 1–3 to the city; journey to Nuevos Ministerios takes 12–15 minutes. A €3 airport supplement applies on top of standard metro fare (Zone A ticket ~€1.50–€2, so total ~€4.50–€5, ~$4.90–$5.45). RENFE Express bus 203 departs Atocha and Nuevos Ministerios every 15–25 minutes; €5 (~$5.45), 35–40 minutes. Taxis from the airport to the city centre cost a flat rate of €33 (~$36) day and €35–€40 (~$38–$44) at night/weekends.
Airports
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy a 10-trip abono card (€12.20, ~$13.30) immediately — single tickets cost €1.50–€2 but the abono saves money from trip 1
The Metro Airport supplement (€3, ~$3.27) must be purchased separately at Barajas; ask at the machine
Night buses (Búho, labelled N) run midnight–06:00 from Plaza de Cibeles — useful after clubs close
Avoid taxis without meters or those that don't display an official taxi licence plate sticker
Cercanías trains require a separate ticket from Metro — though some stations share the same gate