Getting Around Madrid: Metro, Trains & Airport Connections

Welcome to Madrid!
The Spanish capital has one of Europe’s most efficient public transport systems. Whether you’re arriving at the airport, commuting to work, or exploring the city, Madrid’s Metro, Cercanías (commuter trains), and bus network make it easy to move anywhere quickly and safely.

Metro de Madrid

Madrid’s metro network has over 300 stations across 12 main lines and connects the city centre with suburbs and the airport.

Key facts:

  • Total length: 294 km (one of Europe’s largest networks).

  • Frequency: every 2–5 minutes during peak hours.

  • Operating hours: 6:00 AM – 1:30 AM.

  • Website: https://www.metromadrid.es/en

Airport connection:

  • Line 8 (Pink) connects the airport with the city centre.

    • Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 Station and Aeropuerto T4 Station are both on Line 8.

    • From Nuevos Ministerios, you can transfer to Line 6 (Grey circular line) or Line 10 (Dark blue) to reach other districts.

    • Approximate travel time: 15 minutes from the city centre.

Popular connections:

  • Atocha ↔ Airport: Line 1 → Line 10 → Line 8

  • Chamartín ↔ Airport: Line 10 → Line 8

  • Sol ↔ Airport: Line 1 → Line 10 → Line 8

Cercanías Madrid (Commuter Trains)

Operated by Renfe, the Cercanías network links Madrid’s centre with nearby cities and towns.
It’s ideal for daily commuters, day trips, and reaching main train stations.

Main lines:

  • C1: Chamartín ↔ Atocha ↔ Príncipe Pío ↔ Aeropuerto T4

  • C2: Guadalajara ↔ Chamartín ↔ Atocha ↔ Humanes

  • C3: Aranjuez ↔ Atocha ↔ Chamartín ↔ El Escorial

  • C4: Parla ↔ Atocha ↔ Chamartín ↔ Colmenar Viejo

  • C5: Móstoles ↔ Atocha ↔ Fuenlabrada ↔ Humanes

  • C7 / C10: Circular lines connecting outer zones and airport transfers.

Tickets:
Valid with the same contactless card used for the metro.
Schedules and routes: https://www.renfe.com/es/en/cercanias/cercanias-madrid

Major Stations & Transport Hubs

Atocha Station

  • Main hub for high-speed (AVE) and regional trains.

  • Connected to Metro Line 1 and Cercanías lines C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C7, C10.

  • Location: Glorieta del Emperador Carlos V.

Chamartín Station

  • Northern terminal for long-distance trains to the north of Spain and Cercanías services.

  • Connected to Metro Lines 1 and 10.

Príncipe Pío Station

  • Mixed-use hub (metro, Cercanías, intercity buses).

  • Ideal for connections toward western Madrid.

Estación Sur (Méndez Álvaro)

  • Main bus station for long-distance routes to Andalusia, Portugal, and other regions.

  • Connected via Metro Line 6 and Cercanías Line C1.

Avenida de América Interchange

  • Major hub for airport buses, intercity routes, and metro Lines 4, 6, 7, and 9.

Maps of Madrid Metro & Cercanías

Below are direct links and preview images you can embed or download:

Metro Map (official):
Download PDF – Metro de Madrid Map

Cercanías Map (Renfe official):
Download PDF – Cercanías Madrid Map

Interactive transport planner:
https://www.crtm.es/en/home

Useful Travel Apps

  • Metro de Madrid App – routes, timetables, real-time updates.

  • Renfe Cercanías App – live train times and fares.

  • Moovit – multi-modal journey planner for metro, train, and bus.

  • Cabify / Uber – for quick connections from airport or train stations.

Tips for Newcomers

  • Keep small change or a contactless card (Tarjeta Multi) for easy metro and train access.

  • Avoid peak hours (8:00–9:30 and 18:00–19:30) if travelling with luggage.

  • All major stations have lifts and escalators for accessibility.

  • For long-distance trips (e.g., Seville, Valencia, Barcelona), book AVE tickets in advance at https://www.renfe.com. or https://thetrainline.com