Madrid transportation

By improving their public transport conditions, nowadays El Metro de Madrid (Subway) is among the best in Europe. The metro is an efficient and easy way to get around the city, providing some shade in hot summer days. Metro stations, news-stands, and estancos (tobacconists') are the best places to get metro ticket, single for €1,00 or 10 rides for €6.40 (Metrobús).

The tickets are also valid on EMT city buses (red ones); including the night bus network ("Búhos" - night owls). You might consider buying a tourist pass (Abono Turístico) if you are a true adventurer, and not only, cause it might reduce you expenses on transportation( choose from five versions: lasting 1-7 days, between €3.80-€19.80).

Especially in summer/winter, it is not a wise decision to take the Madrid Tourist Bus, as it has no air conditioning/heating and the temperatures inside can get pretty unbearable.

Some cities are fun to be discovered by bicycle, but in our case, in Madrid it can turn out to be quite dangerous, because there is no separate road for bikers, and drivers are not used to seeing them either. However, Madrid is not totally against biking, people can often be seen cycling in El Retiro, the cities largest park besides "La Casa de Campo". So if you are into sports or simply want to enjoy nature, this is the prefect place for it, but be careful as the parks are considered dangerous after Sunset.

Traveling by taxi can also be a convenient way; it is cheaper than in other European cities but much more expensive than the Metro. Official Taxis are white, white red stripe and the flag of Madrid on the front door.
Mainly they are available at every hour, except Friday and Saturday night due to party-ers "fighting" for them. Available taxis have a green ‘Libre’ sign in the windshield and a green light on top.

Like every major city, the Spanish capital also suffers from the typical problem of too many cars and not enough space, so traveling by car can be quite difficult. Finding a parking place can turn out to be total waste of time, also your car might get blocked or hit by locals whose only goal is to fit in even in the smallest available parking place. If you value your car, than do park underground and use public transport to travel in the city.

Madrid get around