Dirt Cheap Madrid

Getting around Madrid could potentially be the easiest thing you’ve ever done. The city’s public transport system is top-of-the-line and very easy to use. Get yourself a Tourist Travel Pass (available for 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 day(s)), which will sort you out for unlimited journeys on both the metro and the bus. Prices range from 5 to 22 euro. You can buy them online (www.neoturismo.com), at the tourist office (Plaza Mayor 27, Metro Sol, L1, L2, L3) or the airport.

If you’re really counting your pennies and know exactly how many trips on the bus and metro you’re going to take, another option is an abono transporte, which is a 10-journey pass.  Single journeys on either mode of transport costs around 1 euro, and this ten-pass will set you back less than 7 euro. You can purchase it in any metro station at the window (cash only) or using the machines there (cash or card). Alternatively, you can pay for a single journey in cash when you get on (in change or small bills, so leave that 500 euro note back at the hostel).

Subway/Metro
When riding the subway, simply slip your pass in any of the ticket-punching machines in the entrance, and when riding the bus, slip your ticket into the ticket slot machine located beside the bus driver. It will be punched and regurgitated. Hold onto your tickets, because Metro security can be real sticklers, and being busted without a pass could result in a hefty fine.

Bus
Each bus stop has a poster indicating the bus route and number, and the latter is also visible on the front, back and side of the bus. Underground maps are available a every station.

Travelling outside Madrid
Travelling outside Madrid will require a journey on the local train (called Cercanias), and tickets can be purchased in any Cercanias station (check your Metro map). Longer-distance journeys will have you on the long-distance train (Renfe), and you can buy your tickets online (www.renfe.es) or at the ticket office in the main train stations (Atocha, Metro Atocha, L1; or Chamartín, Metro Chamartín, L1, L10; depending on where you’re going). If taking the bus is more your bag, tickets can be purchased at the bus station (Estación Sur de Autobuses, Metro Méndez Álvaro, L6) or online directly from the bus company, again, depending on where you’re going.

Visiting European cities on a tight budget? Check out our other dirt cheap guides!

Amsterdam budget travel guide.
Barcelona budget travel guide.
Berlin budget travel guide.
Birmingham budget travel guide.
Copenhagen budget travel guide.
Istanbul budget travel guide.
London budget travel guide.
Rome budget travel guide.
Vienna budget travel guide.