Madrid transport options & information- all in one place for you.
Taxi: This option is for those who have money to spare… or have packed enough for all four seasons in a week trip (you know, just in case).Taking a taxi is the most convenient, but also the most expensive option. Be prepared to pay around 20-60€ from the airport to the city, depending on your final destination.
Taxi drivers will add an airport surcharge, luggage surcharge, “surcharge just-because-they-feel-like-it” surcharge, the “you’re-a-foreigner-so-you-won’t-notice” surcharge, and the “oops-my-finger-slipped-on-the-meter-and-I-accidentally-pressed-the-surcharge-button” surcharge. Ok, maybe it’s not quite this bad, but you get the idea.
24 Hour-Airport Express Bus:
Frequency: Bus runs every 15 minutes during the day | every 35 minutes at night.
Price: One of the cheaper airport transportation options. For a single journey, pay the busdriver 5€ cash once you get on.
Duration: On their website they say the trip takes around 40 minutes depending on traffic.
In addition, get a quick quick preview of Madrid and some of its major landmarks: Puerta de Alcalá, Cibeles fountain, the Post Office, El Pirulí, Neptune Fountain, Atocha Train Station.
Bus timetables: http://www.emtmadrid.es/lineaaeropuerto/horarios.html
Information Sheet: http://www.gomadrid.com/transport/Airport-Express.pdf
Metro (Underground):
One of the cheaper transportation options. The price of a single journey to/from the airport 4.50€ (1.50€ single journey ticket + 3€ airport surcharge).
Madrid’s Metro is considered one of the best subways in the world. It’s extensive, clean, and extremely easy to follow. It’s color & number coordinated with arrows pointing you exactly where you need to go… which is perfect for those not blessed with a good sense of direction (like yours truly).
Here are PDFs of Madrid’s Metro Map: http://www.metromadrid.es/export/sites/metro/comun/documentos/planos/Planoesquematicoespanol.pdf
http://www.metromadrid.es/export/sites/metro/comun/documentos/planos/Planobasecartografica.pdf
Keep in mind, it might be a difficult journey if you’re lugging around several heavy suitcases. Also, you may need to change Metro lines a few times, and some metro stations don’t have elevators. A trip from the Airport to the center of the city will take about 45 minutes.
{Metro Passes are also valid for the local EMT Madrid buses.}
Single-trip = Riding from 1-5 metro stations: 1.50€.
6-9 stations: 1.60€-1.90€
More than 9 stations: 2€
10-trip pass = 12€
For more information on purchasing the pass, go here: http://www.gomadrid.com/transport/travel-pass.html
*Children under 11 pay half price.
Type of Tourist Travel Pass |
Price |
Zone A, 1 Day |
8€ |
Zone A, 2 Days |
13.40€ |
Zone A, 3 Days |
17.40€ |
Zone A, 5 Days |
25.40€ |
Zone A, 7 Days |
33.40€ |
Aerocity Airport Shuttle:
A specialized taxi service that operates 24 hours. They will pick you up/take you to the airport comfortably in a 7-seater, air-conditioned van. The prices are extremely reasonable. This is a great option if you’re traveling with your family… and you tend to overpack.
Aerocity Information: http://www.gomadrid.com/aerocity/
# of Passengers |
Total Price (weekdays) |
TOTAL Price (22:00h-6:00h), weekends, holidays. |
1 |
24 € |
27 € |
2 |
24 € |
27 € |
3 |
24 € |
27 € |
4 |
27 € |
29 € |
5 |
42 € |
45 € |
6 |
44 € |
48 € |