Getting around Madrid
The public transport in Madrid is perfectly organized. All interesting tourist sites are easy to reach. Also the prices for the public transport are very reasonable. The public transport system of Madrid exists of an extensive metro network and lots of bus routes during day and night.
Metro Madrid
The fastest and easiest way to travel around in Madrid is by metro. The network is so extensive, the bus routes can’t compete with the metro service. The metro network seems to grow every day! The network is spread over 171 kilometers and there are already more than 200 metro stations. Although the metro network is very extensive, you’ll easily get used to the system. The metro is also connected with the main train stations and bus services. From Sunday till Thursday the metros are operating between 06:00 and 01:30 and on Fridays and Saturdays from 06:00 till 02:30. But don’t worry, if you would like to enjoy Madrid’s nightlife a little longer the night buses will help you out.
Bus Madrid
The bus network of Madrid functions very well. The official bus service of Madrid is called EMT, which stands for Empresa Municipal de Transportes de Madrid. Your metro ticket is also valid in the EMT buses and vice versa. The bus is a good option if you want to combine travelling through the city with some nice sightseeing. The buses are also a perfect option if you want to travel from the city centre back to your hotel late at night after enjoying Madrid’s nightlife. Between 00:00 and 06:00 20 different night buses depart from the Plaza de la Cibeles to all corners of the city.
Getting from the airport to the city centre of Madrid
The Madrid Barajas Airport is located 13 kilometers northeast of the centre of Madrid. It’s very easy to travel from the airport to the city centre. The airport is directly connected to Madrid’s metro network. At the airport you just take metro-line 8. At Barajas Airport you can also take a bus to the city centre. Every 15 minutes a special airport bus service can bring you from the airport to the Plaza de Colón in Madrid. This trip will take about 30 minutes. Of course you can also take a taxi, but this will be much more expensive.