Come and Discover how to get around Madrid

Getting around Madrid is easier than it seems. And that’s partly because the city has a very efficient public transportation network designed for all types of travelers. It doesn’t matter if you’ve just arrived and are looking for how to get your bearings, or if you’re a repeat visitor and already know the routes, we’re going to tell you how to get around Madrid in detail.

Don’t miss a thing!

A note before we tell you how to get around Madrid

If you’re preparing your trip and still don’t know how to get to Madrid, you have to start there! And then, it’s time to think about how you’re going to get around the city. Although we can already tell you that, with this guide and all the metro, train, and bus options that we are going to explain, it will be a piece of cake.

The city is perfectly connected. You can go from the Madrid de los Austrias —that charming historic center that transports you to the Golden Age— to the most modern neighborhoods in a matter of minutes.

And since getting around such a large capital can seem like a world, we are going to talk about four different ways to get around Madrid. This way you can choose or combine them according to your travel style and your plans.

Let’s get down to the first one!

#1 Metro and light rail

The metro is the fastest and most convenient way to get around Madrid, there is no doubt about that. It has more than 300 stations and twelve lines —plus three light rail lines (outside)— that reach all the points of interest and essential transit areas such as the airport or Chamartín —in case you come by plane or train—.

If it’s your first time, we recommend downloading the official Metro de Madrid map and getting a rechargeable Multi Card, also valid for buses, light rail, and commuter trains.

Getting it is very easy! You can buy it at any metro vending machine or at authorized tobacconists. It costs €2.50 and can be shared between several people. Once you have it, you only have to recharge it with the tickets or passes that you are going to use —for example, the 10-trip ticket or a tourist pass for days—. The best thing is that everything is done from the same machine, without complicating things in the slightest.

And if the question is how to get around Madrid by metro, the answer is —above all— to use lines 1, 2, 3, and 5, which will help you get around the center. If your idea is to explore the areas with the most history in the city, visit the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, the main museums, or even go boating on the Retiro Pond, these options will leave you one step away.

As for connections, line 8 reaches the Madrid airport, which connects directly with the center. Chamartín can be accessed by line 1 and line 10, while Atocha is reached by line 1, which connects you with key points such as Sol or Gran Vía.

#2 Buses and commuter trains

The EMT buses complement the metro and have stops in areas where the metro does not reach. In total, there are more than 10,000 shelters spread throughout the city. They operate from 6:00 in the morning until midnight, with night lines —the famous «búhos» (owls)— that run throughout the capital until 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning. Come on, a service that is not 24 hours… but almost.

Here are the maps, schedules, and routes of the Madrid buses.

Although if you prefer a more panoramic alternative, the Madrid tourist bus will allow you to get on and off whenever you want while the audio guide keeps you up to date on everything there is to see in Madrid with a fixed rate. It is an ideal option for the first few days, especially if you want to get your bearings quickly and make many visits in the same day.

And if you are going to travel between peripheral neighborhoods or through nearby towns, the Renfe Cercanías is the ideal option. It connects the center with towns in the metropolitan area and also with more rural destinations, perfect if you fancy a getaway near the city.

#3 Getting around Madrid sustainably is possible

Madrid is becoming increasingly green. And proof of this are all the alternatives it offers to move around without leaving a carbon footprint.

The BiciMAD network allows you to rent electric bicycles throughout the city, perfect for touring the Retiro, the Paseo del Prado, or the parks in the north. There are also bike lanes along the main avenues and routes that connect you with the most residential neighborhoods. Everything!

To this is added the expansion of shared electric scooters, which are easily unlocked from an app and allow you to move around the center of Madrid without polluting and without worrying about traffic.

In addition, the city is strongly committed to electric mobility and there are increasingly more ecological taxis, pedestrian zones, and spaces where public transport has priority. Everything is designed to say goodbye to traffic jams —in the future—, reduce emissions, and enjoy a cleaner and quieter city.

#4 How to get around Madrid by car

If you are traveling with your own car, the first thing you should do is check if it has a DGT environmental label. Vehicles without a badge and the oldest ones cannot circulate in the low-emission zones of the center unless they are registered as residents or are electric. Therefore, before leaving, take a look at which cars can enter Madrid. This will help you avoid fines and move around more easily.

And if your car does not meet the requirements, it does not matter. You can leave it in one of the car parks located on the outskirts , next to metro and commuter train stations, and continue the journey by public transport. It is practical, economical, and saves you the stress of looking for a place to park in the center —which is not easy at all—.

On the other hand, if you come by plane or train or simply prefer not to use your vehicle, renting a car in Madrid can be a great option, especially if you plan to take excursions around the surroundings or visit the most beautiful towns near Madrid.

Do you prefer something more comfortable? You can also get around by taxi or ride-hailing services such as Uber, Bolt, or Cabify. They are not the most eco-friendly, but they get you out of more than one predicament. Madrid taxis are easy to recognize —white with a red stripe— and have fixed rates.

If you are going out at night to enjoy a flamenco show in Madrid or another activity, a taxi is the most comfortable option to return to your accommodation. It will also be practical if you are staying outside the center or in one of the best neighborhoods in Madrid such as Chamberí, Chueca, or Salamanca, where you will be able to take a taxi or ride-hailing service in a few minutes.

Organizing a getaway to Madrid is much easier this way!

Come and discover and explore Madrid

That thing about how to get around Madrid wasn’t so difficult, was it? There are options for all budgets and thousands of routes to reach any point in the city, even if you decide to stay a little further from the center.

Although, to be honest, looking for where to sleep in Madrid in the heart of the center is always a success. You are going to save a lot of time and money on transportation and, in addition, you will be able to enjoy plans such as watching the sunset from the best rooftops in Madrid or having a few drinks in La Latina without worrying about the time to return to your accommodation.

And for that, nothing better than finding a central apartment. At WAOU RENTALS we have countless options for you to choose where to spend your holidays in the heart of Madrid, close to everything you want to see and do.

Because getting around Madrid is easy… but staying in the perfect place is even easier.