If you are a student and you are thinking about doing your Erasmus, Bachelor or Master in Madrid, you are probably thinking about how you are going to get from one place to another, from your apartment to the university and to the tourist sites that Madrid has to offer.
One of the best things about Madrid is its transportation system. To be able to use it without any problem and in an easier way, we recommend you to get a transportation card and in this post we show you how.
There are two types of cardsThe Multi Card (2,50 euros) is a Non-personal contactless Public Transport Card, rechargeable, with a duration of ten years and that serves to contain titles that you can obtain in any vending machine inside the Metro, with which you can recharge the following trips
- Single valid on Metro, TFM, Metro Ligero 1 and Metro Ligero Oeste.
- 10 trips valid on Metro, TFM, Metro Ligero 1, Metro Ligero Oeste and urban and interurban buses.
- Airport Supplement, necessary to enter or exit the Airport T1-T2-T3 or Airport T4 Metro stations if traveling with a Single or 10-Ride ticket.
- Tourist Titles.
Titles not available on the Multi card:
- 30 Day Subscriptions
- Annual Subscriptions
The other is the transport pass card or personal card (TTP). It is a personal and non-transferable card, expires 10 years after its date of issue and is used to charge personal and non-personal transport tickets. The name and photograph of the cardholder and a card identification number are printed on the card.
This card gives you access for 30 days to all transport systems in Madrid, Metro, Metro Ligero, bus, Renfe Cercanías (regional train) … Depending on your age and the area, you will pay more or less.
Important: since 2023, transport in Madrid is receiving government subsidies to promote the use of transport, which has brought great discounts on all types of season tickets that are currently available. Below is a list of the current discounted prices VS the previous ones.
| Fertilizer | Price | Price without discount |
| Zone A | 21,80 euros | 54.60 euros |
| Zone B1 | 25,40 euros | 63.70 euros |
| Zone B2 | 28,80 euros | 72 euros |
| Zone B3 | 32.80 euros | 82 euros |
| Zone C1 | 32.80 euros | 82 euros |
| Zone C2 | 32.80 euros | 82 euros |
| Zone E1 | 44,20 euros | 110.60 euros |
| Zone E2 | 52.72 euros | 131.80 euros |
| 30-day young man | 8 euros | 20 euros |
| Senior Citizens | Free | Free |
| Children’s | Free | 12,20 euros |
In the case of Metro, Metro Ligero and EMT 10-trip passes, the price of 8.5 euros in Zone A will remain unchanged.
Also, some of you may have heard that the Government has proposed to leave the Youth Pass free of charge and extend the age range up to 30 years old, but we are still waiting for this news to be confirmed and to explain how this can be accessed free of charge. We will be reporting on this.
Obtaining the Personal Card is easy, just follow the steps below:
You can do this in two ways:
- Through the Internet, in which case you will receive the card at the address indicated in the application within approximately 7 to 15 working days. You can do it in this link.
- In person, requesting an appointment by calling 012 or on the official website, in the Appointment section, at the Public Transport Card Management Offices. On the day of the appointment, the cardholder to whom the card is to be issued must go to the corresponding office with the indicated documentation (except for the photo, which will be taken at the office itself). The card will be given to him/her on the spot.
If you decide to do it in person, you must bring
- ID card, passport or residence permit.
- Application.
Important: Cards requested by new users will have a cost of 4 euros.
To get your in-person appointment
- Enter the official website of Public Transportation.
- Click on “New Appointment”.
- Click on “New Card”.
- Select your document type and fill in the data, then select “OK“.
- After filling out the identification form, you must select “Individual” and you will be given a list of available appointments and office locations. Choose the place, day and time available.
- On the day of your appointment, bring the required documents and your Transportation Card will be delivered to you on the spot.
¿Which card do I select?
The transportation system in Madrid works by zones: A, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, (E1, E2, outside the Community of Madrid)
Depending on where you live or are going to live, select the one that suits you better.
* Note : You can also process your card online and it will be delivered to your address after 7 days. Only addresses in Spain are allowed.
With this, we hope that you can begin to move freely around Madrid and begin to enjoy its advantages.
We organize hiking routes every week, all accessible by public transport and we go to the most wonderful places in the entire Community of Madrid and its surroundings. Check out our upcoming routes HERE
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