How Much Is the Bus Fare in Madrid?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re planning a trip to Madrid, one of the most important things to consider is transportation. While the city has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, it’s essential to know how much you’ll need to pay for your ride. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the bus fares in Madrid and provide you with all the necessary information.

Bus Fares in Madrid

Madrid’s bus fare system is relatively straightforward. The price of your ticket will depend on how many zones you travel through during your journey. The city has five fare zones, with Zone A being the smallest and Zone E being the largest.

Single Ticket

If you’re only planning on taking one trip on a bus within the city limits of Madrid, then a single ticket is what you need. The price for a single ticket within Zone A is €1.50, while for Zones A and B, it costs €2.00. For Zones A to C, it costs €2.50; Zones A to D cost €3.40, and Zones A to E cost €4.50.

Ten-Journey Ticket

If you’re going to be using Madrid’s buses more than once during your stay, then consider purchasing a ten-journey ticket (in Spanish: “billete de diez viajes”). This type of ticket allows you to take ten rides on any bus within any zone in Madrid at discounted rates.

For Zone A alone, a ten-journey ticket costs €12.20 while for Zones A and B it costs €18.30; Zones A to C cost 24.20€; Zones A to D cost 33€ and Zones A to E are priced at 45€.

Tourist Travel Passes

Tourists who plan on using public transportation frequently during their stay in Madrid can opt for tourist travel passes. These passes are valid for one, two, three, five, or seven days and allow unlimited travel on the city’s buses, metro, and other forms of public transportation.

A one-day tourist pass costs €8.40, while a two-day pass costs €14.20. Three-day passes are available for €18.40, five-day passes cost €26.80 and seven-day passes cost €35.40.

How to Purchase Bus Tickets in Madrid

There are several ways to buy bus tickets in Madrid:

  • At ticket vending machines at bus stations.
  • From authorized resellers such as tobacconists.
  • Online through the official EMT website or mobile app (only for single tickets).

Keep in mind that if you’re buying your tickets from a reseller or at a vending machine, you’ll need to have exact change as they don’t usually give back change.

Conclusion

Madrid’s bus fare system is easy to understand once you know how it works. Whether you’re only taking one trip on a bus or planning on using public transportation frequently during your stay in the city, there are several options available to suit your needs and budget.

Remember that ticket prices may change over time so always check with official sources for up-to-date information before making any purchase. By being informed about Madrid’s bus fares, you can ensure that your trip is smooth and hassle-free!