As someone that grew up in London using the tube, the Madrid Metro, or the Madrid subway depending on where you are from, is a luxury experience. If you have ever been on the London tube on a hot day, the only salvation was getting to stand by the one window that opened, otherwise it’s just a hot and sticky trip.
In comparison, the Metro network in Madrid is one of the best you will ever use. The large majority of the stations are spacious and they are continuously upgrading everything. The trains themselves are all air conditioned, have loads of sitting and standing space and come very frequently.
I walk a lot, but I also use the Metro to get around because the network is very extensive. There are Metro stations all over Madrid, it even feels like one on every corner. You never have to take any large detours because there are lines going in every direction to every neighborhood.
Add to all of this the fact that it is very cheap, you feel like you have to use it. The same way you can rely on a car for quick trips, you do the same with the Metro in Madrid. It’s just so comfortable and convenient that I don’t ever think of anywhere being too far away to get to.
You might look at the seats and see they are plastic and would be uncomfortable, but they are shaped in a way that they are actually very comfortable. And don’t worry about the heat. On a hot summer’s day, you actually want to get on the Metro because they have the Air Con blasting through not just the trains, but the stations themselves.
I can’t say enough good things about the Metro in Madrid. Maybe it’s because the London tube traumatised me, but I really recommend it, and I will try and give you as much information and tips on using the Metro when you are in Madrid.
If you are travelling to Madrid and coming into Barajas Airport and only want to use the transport system to get from the Airport to the center of Madrid, then you can check out this article on all the transportation options to and from Madrid Barajas Airport.
All about the madrid metro system
1 The Network
The Madrid Metro system has 12 lines, and each one has its own color making it easy to identify. Most of the lines run through and intersect at more than one point in the city center. This gives you many combinations of getting to the same place.
There is also the Metro Ligero, 3 smaller lines that serve certain points in the suburbs, and I will mention those as well.
The Metro lines and where they start end and are:
-Line 1 (light blue) runs from Pinar de Chamartín in the north to Valdecarros in the southeast, passing through key stations like Sol, Gran Vía, and Atocha.
-Line 2 (red) runs from Las Rosas in the southeast to Cuatro Caminos in the northwest, passing through Goya, Retiro, and Callao.
-Line 3 (yellow) runs from Villaverde Alto in the south to Moncloa in the northwest, passing through Legazpi, Sol, and Callao.
-Line 4 (grey) runs from Argüelles in the northwest to Pinar de Chamartín in the northeast, passing through Goya, Velázquez, and Colón.
-Line 5 (green) runs from Casa de Campo in the west to Alameda de Osuna in the northeast, passing through Ópera, Gran Vía, and Callao.
-Line 6 (light grey) is a circular line that runs through the city center, connecting key stations such as Cuatro Caminos, Plaza de España, and Diego de León.
-Line 7 (orange) runs from Pitis in the north to Hospital del Henares in the east, passing through Gregorio Marañón, and Avenida de América.
-Line 8 (pink) runs from Nuevos Ministerios in the city center to Aeropuerto T4, serving the airport as well as stations such as Mar de Cristal and Campo de las Naciones.
-Line 9 (purple) runs from Arganda del Rey in the southeast to Paco de Lucía in the southwest, passing through Príncipe de Vergara, Colombia, and Plaza de Castilla.
-Line 10 (dark blue) runs from Hospital Infanta Sofía in the north to Puerta del Sur in the southwest.
-Line 11 (light green) runs from Plaza Elíptica in the south to La Fortuna in the southwest.
-Line 12 (dark purple), also known as MetroSur and MetroNorte, serves the suburbs of Madrid, running from Hospital de Móstoles in the southwest to Hospital Infanta Sofía in the north.
The Metro Ligero Madrid
A light rail system that currently consists of three lines. Here’s a brief overview of the three:
- Line ML1: Runs from Pinar de Chamartín in the north to Las Tablas in the northeast, passing through Plaza de Castilla, Fuencarral, and Montecarmelo.
- Line ML2: Runs from Colonia Jardín in the southwest to Estación de Aravaca in the west, passing through Ciudad de la Imagen, Somosaguas Centro, and Pozuelo Oeste.
- Line ML3: Runs from Colonia de los Ángeles in the south to Puerta de Boadilla in the west, passing through José Hierro, Colonia Jardín, and Pozuelo Sur.
The frequency of the trains are similar to the main lines, with the majority of the network being above ground as they are serving more suburban areas of Madrid
Tickets For The Madrid Metro
Tickets for the Madrid Metro can be bought at all stations from either a self service machine or ticket booth. You can get a single, 10 trips, or a multi card. If you don’t plan on using the Metro, and find yourself using it a couple of times in a rush then a single trip is easy enough to buy from a machine.
If you have your whole trip planned though, and you know where you will be visiting and using the Metro more often, then I would say get a Multi Card or a Madrid Tourist Travel Pass.
The Multi-Card
The Madrid multi-card is a rechargeable transport card you can use on the Madrid transport system including the Metro, buses, light rail network, suburban trains and even the cable cars at Casa de Campo. You can get the card from any Metro station machines or ticket office, and recharge it at will for single or groups of 10 journeys.
The benefits of having a multi-card are discounted fares compared to buying a single ticket, you move through stations quicker and you don’t need to buy different tickets if you are transferring between different types of transport. If you are going to be using transport in Madrid frequently, it’s a great choice.
The card is not personalized and can be used by anyone, so you can preload and share tickets if you need to take a trip alone. There is also an initial cost of €2.50 to buy the card, but this is a one time fee.
How much does it cost to recharge a Madrid Subway card:
Currently in 2023 the price of a single journey can be between €1 – €2, and 10-tickets cost €6.70. There is a current discount in place that will stop in July, and the price will go up, but even then 10 trips will be around €11. This is still very cheap at €1.10 a journey and still well worth it.
The Madrid Tourist Travel Pass
The Madrid Tourist Travel Pass, also known as the Madrid Tourist Pass, is a transport card that offers unlimited use of public transport within Madrid for a specified period of time, typically 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days. The card is designed for tourists who plan to use public transport extensively during their stay in Madrid.
This solves the problem of needing to constantly recharge your travel pass, you pay one fee and you can use the card an unlimited amount of times for that time period.
Here’s how the Madrid Tourist Travel Pass works:
Purchase: The pass can be purchased online, at tourist information offices, at the airport, or at selected metro stations. It is important to note that the pass is activated when you first use it, not when you purchase it.
Validity: The pass is valid for consecutive calendar days, starting from the first day of use. For example, if you activate a 3-day pass on Monday, it will be valid until Wednesday, inclusive.
Coverage: The pass covers all modes of public transport within Madrid, including the metro, buses, suburban trains, and light rail (Metro Ligero).
Unlimited use: The pass offers unlimited use of public transport within the covered period, allowing you to take as many trips as you like.
Convenience: With the pass, you don’t need to worry about buying individual tickets or calculating fares. Simply show the pass to the ticket inspector when required and enjoy unlimited travel within Madrid.
Unlike the multi-card, the Madrid Tourist Travel Pass is not transferable and can only be used by one person.
How much is the Madrid Tourist Travel Pass?
Map of Madrid Metro Downloadable
There are maps plastered all around the Metro in Madrid, and you can pick up a leaflet too, but you know it’s going to be much easier if you just have a map of Madrid metro you can download and have on your phone. Just map-of-madrid-metro-pdf, free of course.
Frequently Asked Questions
So I have told you about the Madrid Subway network, how it works, where to buy your tickets, but you still may have a few unanswered questions. Here are some questions and answers I would have liked to know when I first moved here.
How often do trains run and what is the schedule?
During operational hours, trains come at a maximum of every 7 minutes, but are often much more frequent. During rush hour, expect a train to come by every 3-4 minutes.
Are there any maps or resources available to help navigate the Madrid metro?
Yes, as soon as you land at the airport there is a Metro station. You can purchase your tickets, get your maps and any other information you need right here at the station.
Is the Madrid metro safe to use?
The Madrid Metro is very safe, and they have their own security personnel that travel around on the trains all day and you see them very frequently. But the people in the city are nice anyway, you should just be careful as always.
How much does a ticket for the Madrid metro cost?
Depending on the ticket choice, a multi card gives you the option to recharge at €1-2 per journey, or €6-7 for a bundle of 10 trips. Or you can get a tourist travel pass, pay for a certain amount of days and use the pass an unlimited amount of times. Prices range from €8-36 euros depending on the number of days.
What is the process for entering and exiting the metro in Madrid?
This one used to catch me out. When you go in to the Metro, you tap your card on a sensor and the gate opens. When you come out though, you don’t have to validate and the gate will wither open itself, or you will see a little gate you have to push open. Look above the exits and you will see green arrows at the gates you are allowed to exit from.
Can you take pets on the Madrid Metro?
If you don’t know, Madrid is a very pet friendly city. Bars, Shops, Markets, almost everywhere allows you to have your pet, and this included the metro. If it is a dog you will need to keep it muzzled though, and you probably don’t want to walk through the metro with a snake draped over your shoulders.
Conclusion
The Madrid Metro is the easiest and most convenient way to move around the city. If you are here to travel, see the sights, you are going to walk a lot to see the most and that’s great. If you want to see more of the city, and don’t want to spend too much time walking and more visiting, then this is a gateway to all of the best landmarks of Madrid and getting there quickly.
Next time you are in Madrid, be sure to take advantage of the system, especially on the hot days, you will thank me for that I promise. Let me know how your trip went, I would love to hear from you in the comments.