Getting around, Madrid

We had not seen anything of Madrid on our first pass through the city, so we were determined to at least make a foray of some sort on the return leg of our trip to Spain! The staff at our hotel gave us a few clues on how to best get to the downtown area, starting from a city bus stop near our hotel that would connect us with the closest Metro (subway) station. We were fortunate to strike up a conversation on the bus with a Spanish lady who was also planning to catch the Metro - she told us to stick with her at the transisition point and all went well after that.

The Metro system is quite modern, clean and very efficient. For only a few Euros each, we ended up taking the Green Line from Canillajas station into the centre of Madrid, emerging just before noon from the Gran Via station in the bustling core of the city. The subway itself was an enjoyable ride, just watching everyday life of the passengers take place around us!

After a few hours of exploring the city on foot, we used the Callao station (near the Cathedral and Royal Palace) to begin our return trip - which went smoothly except for a slight glitch in trying to find the correct bus to finish the trip of. Definitely the Metro is the way to go if you want to explore various parts of Madrid. The photo shows our first view of Madrid as we surfaced from underground.

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There are 3 major ring roads circling the city – M-30, M-40 and M-50, and 3 smaller main ones – M-45, M-31 and M21. The M-30 is the closest to city centre and was built prior to the city expanding and incorporating it and so it is probably the busiest in the country. Rush hour can be a nightmare on any of these main routes. The toll roads are more expensive but less congested. They are marked by an ‘R’.

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There are seven main highways that travel into Madrid and are easily marked as to where their destination is. Highway A-2 is the route from Barcelona, A-3 travels from Valencia, A-4 travels from Andalucia, A-5 from Extremadura, A-42 from Toledo. All end up in the centre of Madrid on the M-30 or Calle 30 – a ring road which travels for 33kms.

2008 Pricing

Taking a taxi between the two depends a lot on the timing:

If between the hours of 0700 and 1000 or 1700 and 2000 it can take up to 50 minutes to an hour in a taxi.

Outside that time you are talking 20 minutes with a clear run.

Pricing: Daytime 20€ plus 7€ supplement (5€ airport 2€ train station)
Nightime and adaytime weekends 23€ plue the 7€ supplement
Weekend nightime and public holidays 25€ plus 7€ supplement

If you are arriving to Terminal 4 add another 1,15€ for the toll road and another 3€ for the extra distance.

I would seriously advise anyone arriving in the congested hours as stated above to do the Metro to Nuevos Ministerios via metro (departs from Airport Terminals 2 and 4) and then Cercanias (two tickets, total cost 2,30€) as it will not be subject to delays due to weather, traffic, accidents etc.

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At www.ctm-madrid.es you can find many info (in English too) about the public transportation and a great option with a recommended path between two points of Madrid, including metro, bus, trains etc You just put the name of the street or the name of the attraction!!

metro
I think the Metro network of Madrid is very useful and probably the most convenient way to move around the city. The only problem is that sometimes you need to change line more than once so you loose some time. The metro runs daily 06:00-01:30 and the ticket costs 1euro. I always buy a metrocard which costs 6.70euro and gives you 10 rides (every time you validate it there is a marking at the back). There are also 1day passes for 4euros, 2days(7euros), 3days(10euros), 5 and 7 days. http://www.metromadrid.es
There are 11 lines, each one has different color and number so it’s easy to check the map (free maps provided at the stations). Just check the direction of the train, usually written at the front panel of the train or somewhere on the platform. You can easily buy your tickets/metrocards from machines with touch screens (with menu in Spanish/English/german).

walking
Although the metro is very useful for some spots the center of the city can be easily done by walking. Madrid is a big city, with traffic, pollution and kind of dirty but it’s the only way to “see” a new city. Take a good map, make a plan of the sights you want to visit and follow your itinerary. What I always love in Madrid is the Tapa bars in every corner where you can drink your beer and eat something light before continue. Some times we stop in so many of them that there’s no need for lunch till late at night! :)

Car/buses
I don’t think it’s a good idea to rent a car in Madrid because of the traffic. The metro runs 6:00-1:30am and the local buses till 23:30. After that hour there are 20 night buses departing from Cibeles square. And there are also many taxis of course, they are painted white with a red stripe, If you the lam on top lighted just raise your hand.

Bikes
I noticed some bike rental shops around but for the same reason (traffic) I was afraid to use any but I guess it will be nice in less busy streets or at Retiro Park. The cost is about 12-15 euros per day.
BIKE SPAIN TOURS is at Plaza de la Villa 1 (Sol/Opera metro stations), tel:+34 915590653
TRIXI MADRID is at Calle de los Jardines 12 (Sol/Gran Via metro stations) tel:+34 915231547
OTERO is at calle Segovia 18, tel:+34 915473225
One of the funniest moments was back in 2005 when a bike protest took place in Madrid. I was in Gran Via and I saw hundred of naked bikers protesting for letting the cycles allowed in the metro!

Tourist buses
Another way to see Madrid is to take a tourist bus(pic 1). There are three of them Red(historical madrid), Blue(modern city) and Green(monumental Madrid). The tour is audio guided (in several languages). It costs 16euros for a day or 21e for 2 days and you can ride them as much as you want. Check their site at www.madridvision.es for discounts.

I found this tool while planning how to go from point A to point B on my Madrid trip and I found it extremely useful. You have several ways to choose the best way for you: either metro, bus or suburban trains, choose by the name of an attraction or sight or by street address. Very good!

Travel planner: Consorcio Transportes Madrid - in English.

Update: for some reason the link above, which I got from their English version, sometimes ends up loading a page in Spanish. If that happens to you, click on the English flag.

I see this type of transport more and more around Madrid. If you don't have much time to walk around the city, but you also don't feel like getting into a bus or subway, you can choose to rent a Segway for the day. There are guided tours of different areas of the city for you to choose, or if you just want to try them out you can do it at the Retiro Park. I guess it could be an interesting way to see the city!

Walking on the streets of Madrid is a fantastic option, there are so many places to see and visit, have a drink or some food. There are walking tours where you´ll learn more about the history of Madrid

Caminar por las calles de Madrid es una de las mejores opciones, hay tanto por ver y visita o incluso para tomarte algo. También hay visitas guiadas donde te cuentan mogollón de cosas sobre la ciudad de Madrid.