Metro Essentials
Lines: 13 lines, 302 stations, 294 km of track
Hours: 6 AM – 1:30 AM (2 AM Fri/Sat)
Single fare (Zone A): €1.50–2.00
10-trip card: €12.20 (best value for short stays)
Airport supplement: +€3 on Line 8
Tourist pass (1 day): €8.40 (unlimited trips)
Buying Tickets
All metro tickets are purchased at automated machines in stations — available in English, Spanish, French, and other languages. You need a reloadable Tarjeta Multi (Multi Card) — a blue plastic card that costs €2.50 and is rechargeable. It cannot be purchased at the ticket window; you get it from the machines. Keep it for the duration of your trip — it's rechargeable and lasts years.
Best ticket option for most tourists (3–7 days): Load 10 journeys (€12.20) onto your Tarjeta Multi. Each of the 10 trips costs €1.22 versus €1.50–2.00 for single tickets. For longer stays or heavy users, the 7-day tourist card (unlimited trips, Zone A, €35.40) is worth it.
Contactless payment: Since 2024, most Madrid metro gates also accept contactless credit/debit cards directly for single fares (at the higher single-trip rate). Useful for one-off trips without queuing for a machine.
Most Useful Lines for Tourists
Line 1 (Light Blue): The tourist backbone — runs north-south through the city center. Key stops: Gran Vía, Sol (Puerta del Sol), Atocha Renfe (for trains to Toledo, Seville; and the Reina Sofía). Connects to most other lines.
Line 2 (Red): East-west through the center. Key stops: Sol, Banco de España (for the Prado and Thyssen), and Retiro Park. Short but essential.
Line 5 (Green): La Latina (tapas), Chueca (LGBTQ+ neighborhood), Callao (Gran Vía shopping). Good for evening bar-hopping.
Line 10 (Dark Blue): Connects airport hub (Nuevos Ministerios) to central stations. If arriving from Barajas, you'll use this.
Line 8 (Pink) — Airport Line: Runs from T2 (Terminals 1, 2, 3) and T4 directly to Nuevos Ministerios. Add the €3 airport supplement when paying. Journey time: 15–25 minutes to Nuevos Ministerios.
Getting from the Airport to Central Madrid
For most visitors, the metro is the best airport transfer. Take Line 8 from your terminal to Nuevos Ministerios, then Line 10 toward Tribunal or Alonso Martínez, or Line 6 (Circular) around to other central points. The total journey from T4 to Sol takes about 40 minutes.
Alternative — Airport Express Bus (Exprés Aeropuerto): Runs 24 hours between T4 and Atocha, Cibeles, Colón, and Plaza de España. Cost: €5 flat, no supplement. Slower in traffic (40–60 min) but runs all night when the metro is closed. Useful for very early morning or late-night arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Madrid Metro cost?
A single trip within Zone A costs €1.50–2.00. A 10-trip Tarjeta Multi card costs €12.20 total (~€1.22 per trip). Airport supplement adds €3 for Line 8. Tourist cards: 1-day €8.40, 7-day €35.40 (unlimited Zone A).
How do I get from Madrid Airport (Barajas) to the city center?
Take Line 8 (pink) from T2 or T4 to Nuevos Ministerios, then transfer. Total: 30–40 min to Sol. Cost: ~€5–6 including airport supplement. Trains run 6 AM–1:30 AM.
Which metro lines are most useful for tourists?
Lines 1, 2, and 5 cover 90% of tourist destinations. Line 1 (light blue) for north-south center. Line 2 (red) for Prado/Retiro. Line 5 (green) for La Latina and Chueca.
Does the Madrid Metro run all night?
No — hours are 6 AM to 1:30 AM (2 AM on Fri/Sat). After hours: night buses (Búho) or taxis/Uber/Cabify in central Madrid.
