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Transportation Around Madrid
If you want to explore the center of town, most places can be reached on foot; this is a great way to see the city. Public transportation in Madrid is inexpensive and useful for short trips around town. Visitors have the option of metro, bus, or taxi. The metro system in Madrid has several lines, over 120 stations, and runs throughout the day. The cars are air conditioned, clean, and comfortable. Be careful to make sure you are getting on the line in the direction you want. There are several signs to point you in the right direction. You can buy single-trip as well as multi-trip passes, and tickets can be purchased at any metro station at either the ticket window or from the vending machines. Most of the buses in Madrid run from six in the morning until midnight. A few buses, called buhos (owl), run after midnight and go from Plaza de Cibeles to most districts in the city. You can pay a flat fare per trip or you can use a ticket, which you insert into the ticket-reading box. You can buy a ticket for one trip or a ten-ride Bonobus ticket from EMT kiosks from major transportation hubs. Before your bus stop, press the “stop” button, and exit through the rear doors of the bus. Do not try to exit from the front. Buses are sometimes more convenient than the metro and are, generally, safe and clean. Madrid taxis are always white and have a diagonal red strip on the side. A green light and a “libre” sign indicate that a taxi is available. Taxis are easily found throughout the city at most times, and although they are the most expensive form of public transportation, they are still relatively inexpensive. If you decide you must rent a car, driving is comparatively less stressful than in some other European cities, and rental agencies range from small, local operators to large agencies, such as Hertz and Avis. Although a car may be a good option for day trips from Madrid, it may be more trouble than it’s worth for travel within the city. Madrid traffic can be very heavy depending on the time of year, and aggressive drivers can make driving a frightening experience. There are also numerous people on mopeds to watch out for. Street parking can be very difficult to find. There are underground parking garages, although these tend to be expensive. hotels in Madrid | visit Madrid | Restaurant in Madrid |
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