Getting there and around

By train
Madrid has an extensive railway network that enables access to the capital from all parts of Spain, offering the possibility to move around with ease and comfort within the national territory. Atocha and Chamartín are the two main railway stations as they receive short-haul, long-distance, high-speed and suburban trains. Furthermore, Chamartín also receives international arrivals from France and Portugal.

Public transport:

The underground (Metro) is the fastest, most efficient and most affordable way to move around in Madrid. This wide underground network, aside from running through the city’s historical quarters, shopping areas and financial districts, connects the capital with neighbouring towns. 

Madrid has an extensive city bus network, run by the company Empresa Municipal de Transporte (EMT), which covers practically the whole city. Certain areas are not served by the Metro, although the buses do go there.The Metrobús ticket can be purchased in Metro stations and at authorised newspaper kiosks and tobacco shops (‘estancos’). They are not sold on the buses themselves. The ticket should be validated for each journey made on boarding the bus.

Taxis in Madrid are white with a diagonal red band on their front door bearing the emblem of the city. They have a green light that is on when they are free. To hail a taxi all you only need to do is to raise your hand.

There are also several taxi ranks around the city, indicated by a blue sign with a white letter ‘T’. At railway and bus stations and at the airport taxis must be taken from the corresponding ranks. Throughout the rest of the city they can easily be stopped in the street.