Madrid City Guide - Getting Around

Central Madrid is served by a comprehensive network of around 200 city bus routes, a modern and extensive metro system and local trains to the neighbouring cities and towns. The main hub is Puerta del Sol.

The Consorcio de Transportes de Madrid (tel: (91) 580 4260; website: www.ctm-madrid.es) offers maps and information on Madrid's metro and buses.

The metro (tel: 902 444 403; website: www.metromadrid.es) system covers more than 227km (141 miles) and is good value, clean and efficient, although crowded during rush hour. Trains run every 3 to 5 minutes, daily 0600-0130. Each of the 12 metro lines is distinguished by a colour and number (at stations and on maps).

EMT (tel: 902 507 850; website: www.emtmadrid.es) runs Madrid's bus service. Night buses, known as buhos (owls), depart from Plaza de Cibeles for the suburbs, between 2330 and 0600. A new service known as buho metro, replaces the metro by night. Although the timetables depend on the line, in general it runs between 0045 and 0545.

The local train network, operated by Cercanías (tel: 902 240 202; website: www.renfe.es/cercanias/madrid), comprises 12 lines in the Madrid area and provides a fast link between Charmartín Station and Atocha Station - as well as to destinations such as Toledo and El Escorial (see Excursions).

Single tickets for the metro and city buses are available for purchase on board and at stations. Metrobús tickets (a carnet of 10 tickets) are available for purchase at metro stations, estancos (tobacconists) and EMT information kiosks at Plaza de Callao and Puerta del Sol. The abono transportes pass, for which a passport photo is required, offers unlimited trips on any combination of public transport (metro, bus and train) within the zone and period of time (month or year) chosen. Tourist passes, which allow unlimited travel on all public transport, are also available (concessions are available for both). Passes are also available for one, two, three, five and seven days.

Oficina Municipal del Taxi (tel: (91) 588 9632) is the governing body for taxis in Madrid. City taxis (white with a diagonal red stripe and a green light on the roof) are available for hire at ranks or on the street. When entering a taxi, travellers should always check that the meter is not already running, as this is an occasional scam to overcharge passengers. There are surcharges for additional passengers, luggage and telephone or airport pick-up. Taxi touts should be avoided. For tipping, rounding up to the nearest euro is appreciated.

Major private taxi companies include TeleTaxi (tel: (91) 371 2131 or (902) 501 130; website: www.tele-taxi.es), Radio Taxi Independiente (tel: (91) 405 1213/5500) for long-distance trips and Radio Teléfono Taxi (tel: (91) 547 8200; website: www.radiotelefono-taxi.com), which also provides a service for the disabled, offering wheelchair ramps and spacious interiors.

Due to frequent traffic jams, aggressive drivers and problematic parking, driving in central Madrid is not recommended to tourists. Visitors who ignore this advice should make use of centrally located car parks (including Plaza Santa Ana, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Oriente).

The city centre is subject to the Servicio de Estacionamiento Regulado (SER) (Regulated Parking Service) (Mon-Fri 0900-2000, Sat 0900-1500, not applicable Sun). This means that bays marked by green lines are for residents (whose car will bear a badge), and non-residents for a maximum of one hour and paying at the parking meter. Bays marked with blue lines are fine for parking for a maximum of two hours after paying at the parking meter. Parking meters take the full range of coins and have operational instructions in English and other European languages.

Illegally parked cars might be towed away by the grúa municipal. Impounded cars should be recovered as soon as possible as the fines rise every hour (tel: (91) 345 0666).

Cars can be hired by drivers aged 21 years and above, on presentation of a passport and valid driving licence held for at least one year. A valid international insurance policy is also necessary and full insurance is advised. Providers include Avis, Gran Via 60 (tel: (91) 548 4204; website: www.avis.es), Europcar, Paseo de la Castellana (tel: (91) 559 886; website: www.europcar.es) and Hertz, Plaza de España 18 (tel: (91) 542 5805; website: www.hertz.es).

There is no better way for one to get around Madrid than by bombing along on a moped, thus avoiding the parking problems that car drivers often suffer. Blafer Motos, Calle Clara del Rey 17 (tel: (91) 413 0047; website: www.blafermotos.com), offers a choice of vehicles. Bicycles are best reserved for trips out of town. Karacol Sport, Calle Tortosa 8 (tel: (91) 539 9633; website: www.karacol.com), hires out mountain bikes (a returnable deposit is required) and organises excursions into the surrounding countryside.