Madrid, the bustling capital of Spain, is one of the largest cities in the European Union, covering over 600 square kilometers. For expats settling into life here, one of the first items on the agenda is finding the right balance between where you live and work. Whether commuting from the suburbs to the heart of the financial district or traveling between neighborhoods, there are plenty of reliable and affordable options for getting around.
Check out Madrid's neighborhood guide to help narrow down which part of the city is right for you. Additionally, use Google Maps to compare commute times between driving, walking and public transport.
Public transport options in Madrid
Madrid's public transportation system comprises local trains, the metro and buses. Most expats living in the city center or one of the well-connected suburbs will find this network more than enough to cover their daily needs. It's clean, safe, extensive and efficient. Compared to some other European cities, it's also quite affordable.
Trains
Cercanías commuter trains serve the capital and its wider metropolitan area. Ticket prices range from 1.70 euros to 5.50 euros depending on how many zones you'll cross during your trip. The green zone (C-9 line) has a flat fee of 8.70 euros for a one-way ticket.
Metro
The metro comprises twelve metro lines, three metro ligero tram lines, a special Ramal line and more than 300 stations. These run between 6:05 am and 2:00 am. The frequency depends on the day, time, and metro line. For example, the average time interval between trains on Line 5 between 06:05 and 06:35 is five to nine minutes from Monday to Thursday. The interval is seven to nine minutes on Sundays at the same hour. A single ticket in zone A (city center) costs between 1.50 and 2.0 euros.
Buses
Urban EMT buses are also well connected, with more than 2,000 vehicles and a network of 227 lines (196 daytime, 30 nighttime, and Airport Express). Daytime buses typically run every day of the year from 6:00 am to 11:30 pm. There is also a night bus service. Single bus tickets are 1.50 euros and purchased on board. Multi-trip or monthly travel passes can be shared between the bus and metro systems.
Good to know:
Madrid's bus and metro systems are integrated, meaning you can access both with the same ticket. Buy a reusable Tarjeta Multi, a contactless smart card, and top it up as needed. If you plan to use public transport for your daily commute, look into getting a monthly travel pass.
Personal vehicles, parking and carpooling in Madrid
You may choose to drive your car or motorcycle to the office each day. If you're traveling to or from an area with limited public transport options, driving is convenient and, even with traffic, can save time. When deciding whether or not to drive, use an interactive map like Google Maps or HERE WeGo to check traffic conditions before you head off.
Parking is another thing to consider when driving to work in Madrid. Check with your office to see if parking is provided. If not, there is ample public parking in paid garages where you pay by the hour or lease spaces by the month. Regulated parking zones have blue, green, white or orange road markings. To park on the street in Madrid, simply look for the nearby ticket machine, pay for the desired amount of time, and display the ticket on your car's dashboard.
Carpooling and ridesharing are other possibilities for your work commute in Madrid. Ask around the office to see if there are co-workers in your area open to the idea, or register on a website like Carpool World. BlaBla Car is a fee-based ridesharing service where you set up and pay for your trips through their website.
Good to know:
It is now compulsory to display an eco-sticker in your car to visit low-emission zones of the city. Failure to do so can result in a fine.To obtain a sticker for your car, visit the website of the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico). You can also get one from any post office.
Useful links:
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