Madrid has excellent public transport; bus, metro and taxis are a nice price and user friendly. It is the best way to get around. Rightly so, Madrid is very proud of their public transport system.



BUS
This transport is efficient and far-reaching with regular scheduled services to every corner of Madrid and its suburbs. Most bus stops have detailed city maps posted (useful even if you're not planning to take a bus), which include the various bus routes. In terms of accessibility, most urban buses nowadays have a special ramp for elderly and disabled people; and ( important!) they are air-conditioned in the summer.

Night buses “Buhos” starts from Plaza de Cibeles at midnight, circulating on weekdays every 25 minutes until 3.20 am. and then every 70 minutes all night long. At weekends and Fridays they run all night long every 20 minutes.

Just like anywhere else in the world, bus stations are popular spots for pickpockets.

Information about tourist travel pass, ticket price, lines, destinations, schedules, etc. Good web in English at:
http://www.emtmadrid.es/index.html?lang=eng

under services, you will find a link “our bus services”
http://www.emtmadrid.es/services/index.html
unfortunately the choice is in Spanish....

the “buho” or night bus is called the “lineas nocturnas”
and then it comes back into English




METRO
Madrid’s metro network is one of the longest and most modern in the world. It is the best and fastest way of getting around Madrid. There are 12 lines, each one with different colors and numbers. It is very safe but watch those wallets and handbags.
The metro runs from 6.00 am to 1.30 am. The frequency of trains is high, even at the rush hour it’s a fast and comfortable way to travel. Especially if you are on a long route.

There is also a metrobúho service at weekends and Fridays, as the same frequency as the “ bus buhos”
Be warned - busy metro stations are popular spots for pick-pockets. Even though the metro has a good security system, it is always a good idea to be watchful in the underground. All stations are equipped with interphones at the platforms, should you need to contact the metro personnel.
There are Tourist information offices at the metro stations of the Barajas airport terminals T2, and T4, at Nuevos Ministries, Avenida de América and the Atocha train station. There you can get a lot of information about Madrid transport and maps of the metro, the city, etc.
As we mentioned in useful info, the best thing to do is buy a bono metro bus at a newspaper stand, which allows for 10 trips and can be used by everyone.

For full information in English http://www.ctm-madrid.es/index.jsp
MAP METRO



TAXIS
Though slightly more expensive than once upon a time, Madrid Taxis are still reasonably priced. The drivers are honest and safe. The Madrid taxi driver is his own boss; he generally owns his cab and the business. This makes them safer than the majority of taxis in the world. In spite of a couple quirks we’ve mentioned in “useful info”, Madrid cab drivers are honest and very good news.

Madridisuserfriendly GIVE THE MADRID TAXIS five stars *****!!!

You can flag a cab anywhere, and often, there are cab stops around the city. They are generally full of private cars or motorcycles… Nor are they very operative. You have to take the first cab and you can’t flag a cab in the immediate area. So if you are tired, lame or loaded with children or packages, hope there isn’t a cab stop or you will have to walk to the cab…

The meter starts at a set minimum price. There are different fees for day, night, weekdays, holidays and depending on the area of the city. The extras are added onto the meter by punching a few buttons, all of which are controlled by City Hall, another reason for the excellence in Madrid cabs.

Make sure the meter is running, otherwise you risk being overcharged. ONLY PAY WHAT IS ON THE METER.

When taking taxis from the airport, train and bus stations, it is advisable to use the official taxi ramps as roaming touts who offer lifts are often on the look out for an easy rip-off.  NEVER USE AN UNOFFICIAL CAB- not that there are many. The cab drivers being their own boss make sure of that!

They are many different taxi companies: Teletaxi, Radiotaxi, Taxi Mercedes… All of them give you the same service with the exception you can ring them by phone.

There are supplements for:

These are on a card the cab driver has, but if he punches his buttons on the meter, it will show!

Taxi booking telephones:




MADRID BY BIKE
Not a good idea! Madrid is still not a bicycle friendly city…
It is a pity but we have to say that Madrid is not a cycling-friendly city. Only a few adventurous cyclists dare circulate the traffic packed city center, there are few bike lanes and most Spanish people consider bicycles a non-serious means of transport -for children, teenagers and freaks. But Madrid City Council is decidedly committed to the promotion of cycling as urban transport, and there is a project of a network of 274 kilometers of bike lanes, which will link together all Madrid districts.

There are quite a lot of 'madrileños' fond of cycling as a sport, though. For them there is the anillo verde ciclista (green cycling ring), which circles Madrid along 60 kilometers.

Cycling could be a great way to get to know the center of Madrid, avoiding traffic jams, going up and down the metro and covering distances, which would be very difficult to do on foot. The best idea is to let yourself be guided by one of the agencies in Madrid that organize bike guided tours, they will take you along safe and charming paths, away from the mad drivers. In the summer you'd better wear good sun protection, but the routes are not too demanding, anyway. Some of the agencies also organize cycling tours in Madrid's countryside and in other parts of Spain --a country with beautiful areas for cycling off the beaten track.
 
Bike tours agencies:


Bike shops for renting or repair:


NEWS AND OPINION ALL ABOUT MADRID
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