Metro

Without a doubt, travelling by Metro in Madrid is the fastest form of transport. The continuity and consistency of the trains frequency along with the nonexistence of traffic jams makes this means of transportation the ideal when you're in a hurry.

The Metro lines grow almost every year, and we already have what many say is the best network in all Europe.

Would like to see the map? click HERE

When you enter the Metro, you can directly pay in the ticket office or (if already you have ticket) proceed to the turnstiles. We warn you that in many stations there are several entrances / exits but only one ticket office, and at times nobody is working in the booth. For in this case, you will find machines that, normally, work well enough to take care of your needs. These machines accept bills of one thousand and two thousand pesetas.

Moving about in the Metro, although it seems complicated, is quite simple in the beginning. Standing in front of the Metro map, look for the stations of your origin and destiny. Imagine the shortest route (some times it is worth the trouble to travel past more stations and have less transfers).

Now that you have figured out which line(s) you will travel on (marked by colours and numbers), check to see the direction which you want to go. The direction is marked by the final station. (For example line 1 has two end points "Plaza Castilla" and "Congosto" so if you want to head north, you will go upwards according the Metro map.) Do not worry about the transfers. Whenever you want to change lines you will see the indications in each station explaining everything that you need to do. In addition, you will find indicative arrows in each corridor. It's almost impossible to lose yourself in Madrid's Metro.

Moreover the Metro relies on some stations to house art exhibitions, particularly in the Retiro station (line 2). In the Plaza de Sol station you have a police station for any potential crimes committed within the Metro's confines.

In the lobbies of Atocha-Renfe, Chamartin and Avda. de América stations, there are information booths attended by workers of the Metro. In the rest of the stations you can go to any Metro worker and ask for information that you might need.

In addition, all stations have loud speakers that inform you of the possible incidences or changes in the Metro service. Also, precise information is available through the yellow intercoms in all stations.