subject: Transportation In Madrid [print this page] When you arrive in Madrid, the highly developed pubic transport system will enable you to travel around the city conveniently. Good transportation and less waiting time will always make our trip more pleasant.
By metro
Madrid has the second largest metro network in Europe and the sixth longest in the world with more than 231 stations and 12 lines. It is quick, efficient, clean, safe and cheap. The first line was opened in 1919 by Alfonso XII. Later, the metro system kept being updated and expanded. Nowadays, it have been listed as one of the most fast growing underground systems in the world with the Shanghai Metro or the Beijing Subway.
Metro de Madrid operates from 6 in the morning and closes at 1:30 at night. One single trip only costs 1 and for 10 trips, you only need to pay 9.
As the traffic congestion in the city, metro will be the fastest way for you to reach any place in Madrid.
By bus
There are two important long-distance train stations in Madrid, namely Estacion Sur de Autobuses and Auto Res. The former one mainly serves the south part of Spain and connects many international destinations; the later focuses on the north and east part of Spain. Although during summer and national holidays, the heavy traffic will make your trip very time consuming, but the bus system is quite efficient and the buses are modern and comfortable.
Another bus net especially for the urban city of Madrid can be access to more places that the metro and it the only way you can go back to your hotel at night after 1:30.
By plane
Madrid-Barajas Airport is the main international airport serving Madrid, located around 15 km (9 miles) from the capitals city center. It is the largest and busiest airport in Spain. It is the gateway from Spain to South America. Nowadays, it has become the traffic hub handling 25 million passengers a year. Four ways you can use to go the city centre from the airport: by bus (bus 200 will wait for you outside terminals 1 and 2, while bus 204 stops outside Arrivals at Terminal 4), by metro (line 8 pink), by taxi or by car.
Car rental
As the public system is quite developed in Madrid, if you only plan to travel around the city or places nearby, you just need to use the public transport which will be convenient enough. More important, like other capital cities, Madrid also has heavy traffic, therefore, if you hire a car visiting inside the city, it is going to waste some time. By contrast, if you would like to settle down in Madrid first and then travel places which are far from the city with a large family or a bung of friends, hiring a car could be the cheapest and easiest way to know Spain.
Car rental companies like Avis, Sixt, Opodo, Enterprises, Europcar, Hertz, Holiday Autos, and CarHire3000 can fulfill your need any time.
