Madrid Hop on Hop off Tourist Bus Guide

If you want to visit the capital of Spain and don’t want to miss anything, the Madrid Hop On Hop Off tourist bus is your best bet. This double-decker bus, with its open top, will take you through the best of the city without having to worry about how to get from one place to another.

You can hop on and off as many times as you want, at your own pace, and with the added bonus that an audio guide tells you everything you’re seeing. Want to know more?

What is the Madrid Hop on Hop off Tourist Bus?

It is a bus created by and for tourists… designed to make you forget about maps, the subway, and long walks between neighborhoods.

And no, it’s not a closed route, you decide when to get off. Among all the available routes, more than 25 stops are covered that will bring you closer to all kinds of monuments. It’s a great option if it’s your first time in the city or if you want a general overview before you start exploring it on foot.

And be aware that there are three routes—and one more at night—but only one ticket: you can change itineraries whenever you want.

Route 1 – Red – Historic Madrid

Route 1 focuses on the most classic Madrid: Cibeles, the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor… the entire heart of the capital is on this route. It lasts about 80-90 minutes and has 16 stops designed to showcase the essentials of the city.

Route 2 – Green – Modern Madrid

Route 2, on the other hand, takes you through contemporary Madrid: the Salamanca neighborhood, the Four Towers, the Bernabéu, and through financial and commercial areas. It is somewhat shorter, about 65-70 minutes, but just as useful if you want to see how Madrid mixes its most historic and classic side with its most modern facet.

Extended Route

If you’ve already done the basic tour and are left wanting more, you have the option of getting on the extended route with the same ticket. This adds some lesser-known but equally interesting corners such as the Segovia Bridge, the Toledo Bridge, or the Cable Car.

It leaves from the Prado Museum stop twice a day: at 10:05 AM and 6:05 PM in summer, and at 10:10 AM and 2:30 PM in winter. The complete tour lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes, so if you have time and feel like seeing a less touristy side of Madrid, this extension is worth it.

Night Route

If you’re more into tours when the sun goes down, then you can book the panoramic night tour. It has no stops, lasts just over an hour, and shows you how beautiful the city becomes when all its lights are turned on, following the itinerary of Route 1.

It is usually active from June 16 to September 15, with one or two departures a day, at 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM.

How much Does it Cost and What Types of Tickets are there?

The ticket for the Madrid Hop On Hop Off bus for one day costs about €22. With that you can hop on and off all day, change routes, and take advantage of the extras that are included : headphones, map, audio guide, and discounts on museums or shows.

The two-day ticket costs about €27 and allows you to explore the city more calmly. It’s perfect if you’re in Madrid for a weekend or if you prefer to dedicate one day to each route.

There is also a family pack—two adults and two children—for about €90, although children under 7 do not pay and those over 65 have a discount.

What about the schedules? The service runs every day. In summer, it runs from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and in winter from 10:10 AM to 6:00 PM. The frequency is around 15-30 minutes in high season and about 20-35 in the quieter months.

All tickets include the audio guide, which is available in 14 languages: Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Dutch, Chinese, Arabic, Catalan, Basque, and Galician.

What are You Going to See from the Madrid Hop on Hop off Bus?

The best thing about the Hop On Hop Off is the views and the freedom. From the top floor you will have one of the best panoramic views of the city—and from many perspectives—.

You will see the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral, the Puerta de Alcalá, the Metropolis Building, the Cibeles fountain, and the Gran Vía. You will also pass through the Paseo del Prado, El Retiro Park, the Prado Museum, and the Reina Sofía.

The KIO Towers, the Bernabéu… and also parks, squares, and even small details that are not appreciated from the ground, such as tiled facades, statues, and hidden terraces.

Tips to get the most out of the Tour

Ideally, start early. The first bus usually leaves at 9:00 AM, so if you get on at that time you can go through everything calmly. And although it sounds strange, the smartest thing to do is to take a complete lap—without getting off—to then decide where to stop.

And of course, the best place to sit is upstairs, but bring a hat, sunscreen, or a jacket depending on the weather, as the climate is more noticeable up there. Also, don’t forget to keep your ticket handy: you’re going to need it every time you get on the bus.

Is the Hop on Hop off Tourist Bus in Madrid Worth it?

Yes, very much so. It is a very comfortable way to get to know the city, especially if you have little time or want to get a general idea before exploring it on foot and delving deeper.

From the Madrid Hop On Hop Off Tourist Bus you can visit several neighborhoods without getting tired, go from museum to museum without worrying about the subway, and discover places that you might not have found on your own.

In short, the Madrid tourist bus is a complete, accessible, and very practical option for exploring the capital with freedom.

And what gives your trip even more freedom? Staying with WAOU Rentals. We have the best apartments in the center of Madrid, so you have your bed as close as any of the tourist bus stops.

So now you know: prepare your camera, sit on the top floor, and let yourself be carried away by the streets of Madrid… because our accommodations await you to rest.