Madrid, Spain Travel Guide
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Madrid Metro System Ticket Purchase & Process
Madrid metro kiosk
Metro tickets are sold and dispensed from blue and white metro ticket kiosks. The kiosk will have the blue and white metro label surrounded by a red diagonal. Suburban and regional tickets are sold from the white and red ticket kiosks with the label, “Renfe,” in purple. Renfe tickets are sold at the main stations where the cercanias/suburban trains connect. These lines are above ground and thus leave from different ports. The metro line tracks are underground and leave from a different section of the stations.
Renfe ticket kiosk
For the metro, purchase a ticket, read the signs overhead, find the ascensor (elevator) signs leading you to the metro lines. At every stop or station, there are turnstiles with ticket validators that you must feed your ticket through for access. The major stops have turnstiles at the front or entrance of the metro sections. Then, you have to read the signs, determine your course and find the right elevators to take. At smaller stops with lifts, the turnstiles will be immediately places just outside the lifts when you descend.
There are gates for handicap access next to turnstiles. There are security cameras everywhere, especially for surveillance of the turnstiles. Most of the time, you wait until a guard unlocks electronically the gate next to the turnstiles. If some time passes, then you can communicate with security through the phones or buzzers next to the turnstiles. Of course, it’s better to know Spanish. Sometimes, the gates are open so you just have to go through. It can be frustrating waiting at the turnstile gate. Most of the time if the gate is not unlocked electronically, a Spanish speaking person will offer assistance and call security. This has happened many times to me.
Ticket counter at Madrid metro
Once you’re in the hallways leading to the various metro lines, you’ll see the signs along the walls for the lines and stops. You will become familiar with the direction of these lines, so the signs will be clearer. Carry a metro map with you always if you’re just starting out with the Madrid metro system.
Local metro: 1 eur, one way stop to zone A, 1.5eur for zone A and B. There is also an option to purchase a 10 in 1 ticket for 6.40 eur. This means that you can ride the metro 10 times or to 10 destinations through the the meter validator using 1 tickets. Other tickets include 1 Day for 3. 80; 2 days for 6. 80; 3 days for 9; 5 days for 4. 20.
Suburban, Commuter (Cercanias): You’ll be using the Renfe. The general cost for suburban lines, C7, C10, say to Villalba, is 1,80 eur.
Tickets are also sold at estancos, little stand alone shops selling tobacco.