Getting Around in Madrid

Getting around in Madrid is easy and efficient, largely thanks to the city’s excellent metro system. Add Spain’s famous high-speed train network to the mix, and you can easily travel to the wider region and the country as a whole.

Best Places to Live in Madrid

Public transport in Madrid

Metro

Madrid’s metro reaches from the city centre into the outskirts and is one of the largest of its kind in the world, with 12 lines and over 280 stations well distributed around the city and surrounding areas. There’s also a light rail system called the Cercanías, which works in conjunction with the underground metro but is a quicker option for getting around outside the city centre. To move around the city on the metro, you can cheaply buy a Madrid Multi Card to top up as you travel, and multiple people can also share one top-up card.

Train

There is a highly effective system of trains in Madrid that extends all the way to the country’s extremities, but also to closer areas and suburbs. These local trains are often quicker than the metro.

When it comes to longer journeys, living in Madrid puts you at the epicentre of domestic travel. One advantage of this is the AVE, Spain’s high-speed train, which travels to and from several of the country’s largest cities.

The trip isn’t cheap, but the amount of time saved from not having to check bags or go through security lines makes it a sensible alternative to flying.

Bus

The bus network is a great alternative for getting to destinations the metro doesn’t cover. Metro and bus tickets are interchangeable in the city centre and, similar to the train system, buses depart from Madrid’s centre and head in all directions. Madrid also has an extensive night bus network with 30 lines that cover most of the city and run right through the night.

Single-ride tickets can be bought on the bus, but multiple-ride tickets are only available at metro stations. While they might be the most economical means of travelling outside of Madrid, buses often aren’t as comfortable or efficient as other options.

Read more about Getting Around in Spain.

Useful links

• Metro de Madrid
• EMT Madrid
• Renfe: Spanish national railway

Taxis in Madrid

Taxis in Madrid are a popular way to get around the city. They are reasonably priced, but to avoid getting ‘taken for a ride’, it is important to know where you are going and the best way to get there. While most taxi drivers do their job with integrity, by law, a taxi is only obliged to take the cheapest route if the passenger indicates which route that is.

There are multiple taxi ranks in the city, but taxis can also be hailed on the street. Alternatively, you can book taxis in advance.

Ride-hailing applications such as Uber, Cabify and Bolt are also widely available in Madrid. Cabify, a Spanish company founded in Madrid, is particularly popular and well-established in the city. These may be the best option for expats who cannot speak Spanish or any of the local languages, as they mitigate the language barrier.

Useful links

• Uber
• Cabify
• Bolt
• Radio Teléfono Taxi

Cycling in Madrid

Madrid may not be quite as bike-friendly as other European destinations, but some things are changing to make commuting more comfortable for cyclists. Parts of the historic centre have become mixed-traffic spaces where pedestrians and cyclists have priority over cars. There is also a growing network of cycle paths running along the river and through the city’s parks.

Despite some restrictions during rush hour, bikes are generally also allowed on public transport.

BiciMAD, Madrid’s electric bike-sharing service, has expanded significantly and is one of Europe’s largest bike-sharing networks. There are also traditional bike rental shops throughout the city.

Useful links

• BiciMAD

Walking in Madrid

Walking is one of the most pleasant ways to get around the city centre in Madrid. The historic core is compact and pedestrian-friendly, with wide boulevards and plenty of plazas where you can rest and people-watch. Many of the major attractions are within walking distance of each other, particularly around the Golden Triangle of art museums.

The city has been investing in pedestrian infrastructure, creating more car-free zones and improving crossings. You’ll find that locals are enthusiastic walkers, and the mild climate makes it comfortable for most of the year.

Useful links

• Madrid Tourism: Walking routes and maps
• Madrid City Council: Pedestrian areas

Driving in Madrid

Driving in Spain can be harrowing, as many local drivers don’t follow the rules of the road very closely and drive quite aggressively. There’s also limited parking, and you’ll probably find it far easier to get around on public transport.

Madrid has implemented a city-wide Low Emission Zone (ZBE), restricting access for the most polluting vehicles throughout the entire municipal area. You’ll need an environmental sticker (distintivo ambiental) to drive in many parts of the city.

If you do choose to drive and buy a car in Madrid, expect to deal with mountains of paperwork. Spain is infamous for its bureaucracy, and you’ll need to secure an NIE number and driving permit or licence before hitting the road to enjoy your new set of wheels.

When parking, drivers might bump their way into parking spaces and generally care less for the condition of their car or others’ than you might expect. Expect scrapes, scratches and dents.

Spanish driver’s licences

If you’re moving to Spain from an EU or EEA country, you can exchange your current licence for a Spanish one without taking any tests, although you must register with the traffic authorities after six months. Non-EU residents will need to take both theoretical and practical driving tests.

Transport, Driving and Driver’s Licences in Spain

Useful links

• DGT: Spanish traffic authority
• Madrid City Council: Driving licences