Madrid has a great public transportation system: modern, integrated, and constantly improving. In 2025, many of the economic benefits introduced in recent years have been maintained, although some fare adjustments were applied starting in July. This guide summarizes all available modes of transportation in the city, updated prices, schedules, and some useful tips to move around both Madrid and the surrounding region.

‍

Changes in 2025

‍

During the first half of the year, transportation fares included a 60% discount on monthly passes and 50% off 10-ride tickets. Starting July 1, 2025, a new national subsidy system went into effect, reducing these discounts to 40% for standard passes and 50% for youth passes.

‍

This means that:

‍

• The Abono Joven (Youth Pass), which used to cost €8, now costs €10 per month for people aged 15 to 25.
• The standard monthly pass for Zone A increased from €21.80 to €32.70.
• The 10-ride ticket (MetroBus) rose from €6.10 to €7.30.
• Children aged 7 to 14 and people over 65 still travel for free.

‍

The free annual pass for children under 15 has also been maintained, and free Cercanías passes remain available for frequent users.

‍

In addition, in April 2025, Metro Line 3 was extended to El Casar (Getafe), significantly improving connections in the southern area. And since January, the entire city of Madrid is classified as a Low Emission Zone, meaning that vehicles without an environmental label can no longer circulate.

‍

Available modes of transportation

‍

Metro de Madrid
‍

Madrid’s metro system has 13 lines and over 300 stations. It operates every day from 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. It’s one of the fastest ways to move around the city. Since April 2025, Line 3 reaches El Casar, offering a direct connection with Metrosur and Cercanías.

‍

EMT Buses
‍

These blue buses cover the entire city with over 200 daytime routes and 35 night routes (known as “búho”). Daytime service runs from 6:00 a.m. to around 11:30 p.m., and night buses run between 11:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. All buses are accessible and allow payment by contactless bank card.

‍

Cercanías Renfe
‍

A suburban train network connecting central Madrid with nearby towns and cities. It has 10 lines and operates from 5:00 a.m. to around 11:30 p.m. In 2025, the free travel program for frequent users is still active. To use it, you must request a monthly or quarterly pass (via the Renfe app, website, or at ticket machines) and pay a €10 deposit. The pass allows unlimited travel, but to get the deposit back at the end of the period, you must complete at least 16 trips (for example, 8 round trips). If you don’t meet this requirement, the deposit is not refunded. This system is mainly intended for people who use Cercanías regularly for work or study.

‍

Intercity buses
‍

These green buses connect Madrid with towns across the region. They depart from major hubs like Moncloa, Plaza Castilla, and Avenida de América. Some routes also offer night service from Cibeles. Fares are based on zone distance and are compatible with the Tarjeta de Transporte Público.

‍

BiciMAD
‍

Madrid’s public electric bike-sharing system includes more than 7,500 bikes and 630 docking stations across all districts. It operates 24 hours a day. You can either pay per ride (€0.50 for every 30 minutes) or get a monthly flat rate of €10, which allows unlimited 30-minute trips at no extra cost.

‍

Taxis and VTC
‍

Available 24 hours a day. Taxis are white with a red diagonal stripe and can be hailed on the street or requested via apps. The base fare is €2.55 during the day and €3.20 at night or on holidays. Some routes, such as between the city center and the airport, have a fixed fare of €33. VTC services like Uber and Cabify also operate in Madrid via app, with dynamic pricing.

‍

Fares (as of July 2025)

‍

• A single ticket costs between €1.50 and €2.00 in the Metro (depending on the number of stations traveled), and €1.50 on EMT buses if you pay by card.
• A 10-ride MetroBus ticket costs €7.30.
• The monthly Zone A pass costs €32.70.
• The Abono Joven (ages 15 to 25) costs €10 per month and allows travel throughout the entire Madrid region.
• Children under 15 can get a free annual pass.
• People over 65 and children under 7 travel for free.
• Cercanías service is free for frequent users, as long as they meet the travel minimum and pay a refundable deposit.

‍

General schedules

‍

• Metro: 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
• EMT (daytime): 6:00 a.m. to ~11:30 p.m.
• EMT (búhos): 11:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Cercanías: 5:00 a.m. to ~11:30 p.m.
• Intercity buses: vary by route, generally 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., with night buses from Cibeles
• BiciMAD, taxis, and VTC: available 24 hours

‍

Accessibility

‍

The vast majority of metro stations are already accessible or are in the process of being upgraded. All urban and intercity buses are equipped with ramps and wheelchair spaces. Cercanías trains (especially the Civia model) are accessible, although not all stations have elevators.

‍

Useful apps

‍

• Madrid Mobility 360: multimodal route planning, real-time info, BiciMAD availability, and balance top-ups
• Metro Madrid: line status, travel times, and route planner
• EMT Madrid: real-time bus arrivals and route info
• Renfe Cercanías: train schedules and digital passes
• Tarjeta Transporte Virtual: recharge your public transport card directly from your phone