The quickest and easiest way to get to know the key places of the Spanish capital is to buy a ticket for the Madrid City Tour bus.
There are two ways to visit the sights of Madrid: by public transport or by sightseeing buses like Hop on - Hop off. It is definitely impossible to say which of the options is better - everyone chooses for himself. We already wrote about how, so now let's talk about tourist buses.
What are type busesHopon-Hopoff?
Similar sightseeing buses are found in many tourist cities. They transport passengers to all the key points that every tourist must see. At the same time, you can get off at any stop, take a walk, and then catch another similar bus and continue on your way.
In Madrid, these buses are called the Madrid City Tour. If you want to be in time for the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum, as well as the Retiro Park and in one day, then this is your option. No need to puzzle over how to get to each of these attractions. And if you sum up the cost of all transfers to the same cultural monuments by metro, then the Hop on-Hop off bus will also turn out to be profitable.
Where to buy a ticket for the Madrid City Tour?
You can buy a ticket for the Madrid City Tour bus at newsstands with the company logo. It is impossible not to notice them: they are located in popular tourist places and have bright red stripes on them.
For example, in Puerta del Sol you can find several of these stalls at once. You can also “hop-knock” the bus here: stop No. 17 on the blue line and No. 15 on the green line.
How to find a stop?
Madrid City Tour bus stops are marked with columns with information about the route. Sometimes they coincide with public transport stops, but can be located separately from them.
More detailed route map
Directions
When buying a bus tour at a kiosk, you get a ticket that will be picked up on the bus and exchanged for a check. The latter must be carefully stored all the time while you use this mode of transport. This is your bus pass and must be presented each time you board.
Also on the bus you will be given a route map and headphones. All this is given once, so do not lose anything and do not throw it away. The transport provides an audio guide service, which is included in the fare. Simply insert the earphones into the opening in the seat in front of you and select your language from 14 possible languages (Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Dutch, Chinese, Arabic, Catalan, Basque and Galician).
Why buy a bus ticket?
Using these buses is very convenient, especially if you are in Madrid for just a couple of days. If you have plenty of time, the Hop on – Hop off buses are still worth a ride. Firstly, the second floor offers a great view of the city. Secondly, with their help you can visit all the main attractions in a short time, and you will still have a lot of time to explore the non-tourist part of Madrid on your own.
Price
The cost of tickets depends on the age of the passengers and on how long they are bought (1 or 2 days). For example, 1 adult ticket for 2 days will cost 25 euros. If you buy tickets through the Madrid City Tour website, they will cost a few euros less.
Travel company Trael Plan "DSBW Travel Collections" offers a variety of sightseeing tours in Spain. In 2020, as a specialist in Spain, we made some improvements to our programs and now we are doing them in the format for mini-groups of up to 12 people, which provide the highest level of comfort on a sightseeing trip. Especially it is necessary to highlight such tours as: and Excursion tours to Spain allow our travelers to see all the diversity of this country. Our tours include not only visits to famous tourist cities such as Barcelona or Madrid, but also a large number of small towns such as Cadiz, Olvera or Ronda and others.
As a specialist in Spain, TraPla travel company offers in 2019 - 2020 not only tours in Spain itself, but also a program Spain - France - Catalonia, which allows you to understand the closeness of the history and culture of the South of France and Spain. The fortress of Carcassonne, Narbonne, Perpignan illustrate this perfectly. This sightseeing tour can be supplemented with a week-long vacation in the Spanish resorts of Costa Brava or Costa Dorada.
Our author's tours are of high quality not only in terms of the programs themselves, it is also important that we carry them out on our comfortable buses and you can choose in advance the place that suits you best, as well as see which guide will accompany your group.
The guides have been several dozen times on our routes in Spain and can provide a high class of service. Their buses also guarantee that all the announced dates will take place regardless of the number of tourists.
In addition to tours that include only Spain, we also have two great programs that combine two countries. This is the "Iberian voyage" - a wonderful tour of Spain - Portugal, as well as "Spain - France - Catalonia" - a trip that includes, in addition to Spain, French Provence and the Cote d'Azur with Nice. We wish you a real journey!
The tourist bus in Madrid is an attractive system for organizing excursions around the Spanish capital for many tourists. Such a system of working with tourists is used today not only in, but also in many other European cities. Madrid City Tour allows travelers to get acquainted with the most famous places of the Spanish capital in a short time. The person who bought the ticket gets on the bus, puts on the headphones that come with the ticket, and then enjoys the magnificent views of Madrid. We also recommend that you read the article about, which will save you a lot of money.
Tourist bus route in Madrid
There are two different, independent tour bus routes in Madrid. Both of these routes start opposite the Prado Museum, on the street. Philip IV:
The first (blue) route covers the historical center of the capital of Spain: the Prado Museum, the Gates of Toledo, Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace of Madrid, Pl. Cibeles (the duration of the route is approximately eighty minutes). There is also an extended version of this route (the departure of such buses is twice a day: at 16:40 and at 20:40), with a stop in the Moncloa area and in the recently opened Madrid Rio Park.
The second (green) route is slightly shorter than the first route (it takes about 65 minutes to travel). It covers the modern center of the Spanish capital: b. Paseo de Recoletos, Santiago Bernabéu stadium, Nuevos Ministerios area, railway Atocha). Taking the extended route (at 16:50 or 20:50), you will be able to see Plaza Castile (from here you can walk to the four famous towers of the business center of Madrid), as well as the famous Las Ventas arena, where the bullfight takes place .
Madrid City Tour ticket price
There are 2 types of tickets for the Madrid sightseeing bus: for 1 or 2 days. During this time, you can enter the bus at any of the stops an unlimited number of times, as well as get off at any stop, changing the route at your discretion. Thanks to this, by purchasing a ticket for Madrid City Tour, you will be able to get to know both the modern and the historical part of the Spanish capital equally well.
When buying a ticket, you will also be given headphones to listen to the audio guide (the following languages are available: English, French, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, Danish, Galician, Basque, Catalan, Arabic), a detailed map of both routes, as well as a discount book with discounts on various events and tours of the Spanish capital, this is a little different from the usual.
Where to buy a ticket for the Madrid City Tour
Buy tourist bus tickets in madrid can be done in the following ways:
Madrid City Tour - information center located opposite the Prado Museum;
www.madridcitytour.es - website on the Internet;
Kiosks;
Travel agencies;
Information desk in the hotel;
Inside the tour bus itself.
Tourist bus in Madrid: timetable
March-October (high season) - 9:00 - 22:00 (bus frequency - every 8-10 minutes);
November-February (low season) - 10:00 - 18:00 (bus frequency - every 15 minutes).
Now I will tell you about the types of public transport in Madrid, about fares and discounts on tickets. You just have to choose the most convenient option for moving around the city.
Madrid, like any major city, has a well-developed transport network. Urban transport is represented by buses, trams, metro and commuter train network. In addition, public transport in Madrid includes a funicular, taxis, rental cars, motorcycles and bicycles.
Separately, it is worth noting the tourist bus Madrid City Tour. It allows, in a short time, to see the main sights of the capital of Spain and at the same time completely abandon other public transport.
Types of public transport in Madrid:
- Madrid city buses, EMT
- metro, L1–L12
- light metro (Metro Ligero, LRT) - lines ML1, ML2, ML3
- tram (Tranvía de Parla) – ML4 circular line
- electric trains, C1–C10
- other city buses
- intercity buses
Now about everything in order.
Fare payment
Metro trains and buses are combined into one system and operate on the same tickets. The fare depends on the zones, there are eight of them - A, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, E1 and E2 (scheme).
The center and most of the city is in zone A.
Fares for metro, EMT buses and ML1 light rail:
- 1 trip - €1.50.
- 10 trips - €12.20.
- 10 trips with transfers within 1 hour - €18.30.
Tickets are sold at vending machines at all metro stations, at newspaper and tobacco kiosks, at ticket offices at railway stations, major bus stops, and information centers.
Tourist tickets
Another option is to purchase a ticket not for the number of trips, but for the validity period: 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days. Such a ticket is called Abono Turistico or Tourist Travel Pass. Sold at the subway ticket office.
Tourist pass price:
Children under 11 years old - 50% discount.
Abono Turistico tourist passes are for zone A - the center of Madrid, and zone T - suburbs (Toledo, El Escorial, Guadalajara, Chinchón, Aranjuez, Alcalá de Henares, Colmenar de Oreja ...)
The Tourist Travel Pass Zone A is valid:
- metro zone A, including transportation to the airport
- all EMT city bus lines except Airport Express
- Renfe trains included in zone A ()
- light rail ML1
The T zone Tourist Travel Pass is additionally valid for:
- in all metro lines
- all urban and intercity bus lines of the Community of Madrid (except Airport Express)
- throughout the Renfe commuter rail network
- high-speed metro Ligero ML2 and ML3
- tram ML4.
The Abono Turistico tourist pass is personal: the passport number and full name are entered into it. Multi-day passes are valid for the specified number of days 2-3-5-7 (in a row) from the date they were first used.
Madrid Card
In addition to the travel card, you can buy. This card provides a number of benefits and discounts.
You get free entry:
- more than 40 museums in Madrid, for example,
- visiting the planetarium
- funicular ride (Teleférico de Madrid),
- discounts in some shops, restaurants and nightclubs.
Madrid Card prices:
Upon purchase, you will be given a detailed map of the city with all the Madrid Card freebies. Full list .
The card can be ordered online at blancas.neoexperience and can be picked up at the tourist center in Plaza Mayor, Atocha station (L-1) or Plaza de Oriente.
Tourist double-decker bus
Another convenient way to get around the city is the Madrid City Tour bus. If you are in the Spanish capital for 1 or 2 days, then by purchasing such a ticket, you can generally do without other public transport.
With a ticket for the Madrid City Tour double-decker bus, you get a sightseeing tour of the city with an audio guide in Russian, and the opportunity to get off and on an unlimited number of times at any stop you like.
The bus follows two routes:
- Historic Madrid
- Modern Madrid
From June 16 to September 15, you can ride the Madrid City Tour night bus through historic Madrid. But it follows two routes non-stop: from the Prado Museum to the Royal Palace and from Cibeles Square to the Gates of Toledo. All routes are included in the ticket price.
Ticket price:
Teleférico Madrid cable car
Another transport in Madrid that is of interest to tourists is the cable car. Teleférico Madrid stretches for 2.5 kilometers and connects the city center with the park.
The cabanas leave from the Teleférico en Rosales station, near which bus 74 (stop Pintor Rosales - Fco. J. Alcantara) and bus 24 (stop Mques. Urquijo - Ferraz) stop. And the nearest metro station is Argüelles, lines L3, L4, L6.
Ticket price:
- One way - €4.20.
- Both ways - €5.90.
- Free with Madrid Card.
- Combined ticket for Teleférico + zoo: adult €24.45; children (up to 7 years old) - € 20.75.
- General ticket for funicular + amusement park: adult - €33, child (below 1.4m) - €26.50.
Metro
The Madrid metro operates from 06:00 to 01:30. Consists of 13 lines. Trains run every 3-5 minutes. See metromadrid.es for more information.
Light metro and tram
Since 2007, the light metro network (metro ligero) has been operating in the capital. Most of the light rail is above ground. In appearance, these are modern low-floor high-speed trams.There are only three lines in Madrid. On the urban transport scheme, they are designated - ML1, ML2, ML3.
Line ML1 operates from 06:00 to 01:30, lines ML2, ML3 - from 06:00 to 02:00. More details on the official website melimadrid.es.
A particularly high-speed line with a roundabout is called a light rail (Tranvía de Parla S.A.) and is designated ML4. Parla tram runs from 04:45 to 00:45. See viaparla.com for more information.
Buses
Madrid's bus network is well developed. This type of transport is operated by EMT. There are 3 types of buses: day, night and airport buses.
Night and day buses do not differ much from each other. They are blue. The fare is the same - €1.50.
Day buses run from 06:30 to 23:45 with an interval of 10-15 minutes.
The rest of the time there are 25 night routes. They all start from (Plaza de la Cibeles). In their designation, the letter “N” is in front of the route number. Night buses "búhos" run at intervals of 15-60 minutes. Look at the schedule at the stops, otherwise you will have to sleep on a bench for an hour.
Buses to the airport
Trains
To move around Madrid, it is sometimes more convenient to use the Renfe commuter trains. The railway network consists of 9 lines. On the transport map of Madrid, they are designated as C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5 ... Each suburban line has its own schedule, but mostly trains run from 06:00 to 11:30.
A one-way ticket for 1-2 zones costs €1.7, for 10 trips - €10.
Renfe trains are valid with Tourist Travel Pass for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days. The zone A ticket is valid only in the center of Madrid (for example, for 3 days - € 18.40). Zone T Tourist Travel Pass is valid for the entire suburban rail network of Madrid (for 3 days - € 35.40).
Taxi
In the Spanish capital, taxis are painted white with the city's coat of arms and a red diagonal stripe on the front doors. On the body you will find a sign with fares. The fare will depend on the time of day, holidays or working days. Taxi services are paid in cash, credit cards are rarely accepted.
You can order an individual transfer to another city or to / from the airport using the service.
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Buy tickets for one or two days and go out, return to the tour bus as many times as you like.
Video Madrid City Tour:
Buses are double-decker - closed lower and open upper floors. Equipped with free Wi-Fi and an information board showing stops.
Audio guides are offered in 14 languages, including Russian.
From experience, let's say that the quality of the Russian audio guide in Madrid bass tourism is at its best.
Working hours
Routes:
Historical and Modern.
Summer: 01/03 - 31/10. From 09:00 to 22:00 every 8 - 9 minutes.
Winter: 01/11 - 28/02. From 10:00 to 18:00 every 14-15 minutes.
Extended Historical.
Summer:
01/03 - 31/10 at 10:05 and 18:05.
Winter:
01/11 - 28/02 at 10:10 and 14:30.
Advanced Modern.
Summer:
01/03 - 31/10 at 12:15 and 16:05.
Winter:
01/11 - 28/02 at 12:00 and 16:30.
Night
16/06 - 15/09. Two night tours from 22:00.
At the stops there are special signs with the Madrid City Tour logo. They indicate the time of arrival of the sightseeing bus, the number of the stop. If the routes intersect at this point, make a transfer.
The cost of tickets for bass tourist
Tickets for tourist hop on hop off buses are sold in two types: for one and two days. Children under 6 travel for free. However, a ticket must be purchased for a child.
Ticket prices are without discount.
One ticket is valid for all routes, including night, without restrictions.
Tour bus tickets
Tickets are sold directly from the conductor on the bus.
For those who want to save 10% of the cost, purchase tickets for the Madrid City Tour via the Internet. Buy for rubles on the official service in Russian.
Present the printout at the entrance to the bus tourist. In return, you will receive headphones (take it with you), a booklet with advertising and a map of stops.
We offer to buy tickets to museums and attractions via the Internet.
Below we give a photo of queues for sightseeing buses and once again remind you - save time and money!
Routes Madrid City Tour
Number of stops - 52.
Three options are offered: Historical (No. 1), Modern (No. 2) and Night.
Please note that routes 1 and 2 have extended options. In this case, the bus, in addition to daily traffic, travels to monuments and attractions located far from the city center.
No. 1: Historical (blue)
Start of movement: 10:00
End of movement: 18:00
Bass Tourist Madrid City Tour starts from the Prado Museum:
Bus stops
Prado Museum (Museo del Prado)
The Prado Museum is visited by millions of tourists every year. The museum's collections include works by Spanish and Italian artists, including The Maid of Honor by Velázquez and The Third of May 1808 by Goya.
The Museo del Prado collections include 9,000 paintings and 700 sculptures.
Puerta de Alcala
The Puerta de Alcala was built by Sabatini in 1778 during the restoration of the city scenery promoted by Charles III. Made of granite and is an example of proportion, harmony and elegance.
Barrio de Salamanca
Salamanca is a district of the capital. Don José de Salamanca y Mayol, Marquis of Salamanca, gave his name to the area due to his participation in the project of the area in 1860.
Nowadays, the Salamanca area is the district of the rich and streets such as Goya or Serrano are part of the most expensive streets in Spain.
We recommend you get off the bass tourist and take a walk around the area.
Plaza de Colón
The statue in honor of Christophe Columbus was built between 1881 and 1885 to celebrate the marriage between Alfonso XII and Maria de las Mercedes of Orléans. This monument fits perfectly into the area on which it is located, with a beautiful grassy area, ponds and a large waterfall.
Plaza de Cibeles
It is a lively square and home to monuments such as the Fuente de Cibeles and the Palacio de Cibeles. Fuente de Cibeles, the symbol of Madrid, stands in the middle of the square.
Gran Via, 14
One of the most important and emblematic arteries of the center of Madrid. Thousands of residents and tourists fill the sidewalks every day. Being located in the bustling center of Madrid has many souvenir shops. Driving down the street on a sightseeing bus, you can see everything and outline the places where to return later.
Gran Via, 30
Gran Vía is a highway offering leisure, tourism and shopping.
Gran Via, 54
Madrid's Gran Via was planned as a recreation and entertainment area. In the segment between San Luis and Plaza de Callao, there are old buildings that house fashion stores of world famous brands.
Plaza de España
Plaza de España is a large square and a popular tourist destination located in the center of Madrid. In the center of the square is a monument to the Spanish novelist, poet and playwright Miguel de Cervantes.
Templo de Debod
This design dates back to the 2nd century BC, brought to Spain as a gift from Egypt. The monument is surrounded by gardens with a fountain and is considered the oldest in Madrid.
Opera Teatro Real
Located in the Plaza de Orient. Appreciated by connoisseurs of opera music for unsurpassed acoustics. The building was begun by Ferdinand VII in 1817 on the site of the old theatre, work was completed in 1850.
Palacio Real
Palacio Real was built in the 18th century by order of Philip V on the site of the old Alcazar fortress, a former Moorish castle. Sacetti began work in 1738 and the building was completed in 1764. Sabatini designed the southeast wing and the grand staircase. Don't forget that the sightseeing bus operates on the principle of hop on hop off - make a stop and see the palace.
Puerta de Toledo
19 meters high, opened in 1827, this is a modern monumental gate built in the city. The magnificent granite structure was begun in 1812 by order of Joseph Bonaparte.
San Francisco el Grande (San Francisco El Grande)
The Basilica of San Francisco El Grande, an 18th-century classicist building, is built on an old monastery that, according to legend, was founded by San Francisco de Assisi in the 13th century. A notable feature of the appearance of the building is a dome with a diameter of 33 meters.
Catedral de la Almudena
At the end of the 19th century, building work began on the Catedral de la Almudena, which was built on the site of the old church of Santa Maria la Mayor to commemorate the virgin of Madrid.
In 1883, the first stone of this monument was laid, but the construction process was slow. In 1993, the cathedral was consecrated to worship Pope John Paul II.
Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is the symbol of Madrid. The square was opened in 1620 and has a rectangular shape, with arcades around the edges. Previously, social events such as bullfights, processions and festivals took place on the square. Below the arcades are traditional shops, as well as bars and restaurants. Don't forget that bass tourists run every 5 to 25 minutes. Walk slowly through the symbol of the capital of Spain and continue your journey through the city.
Puerta del Sol
The Puerta del Sol is not to be missed. Several attractions in one place, such as the statue of the Bear and the Stem Trees. Near Alcala Street and the equestrian statue of Charles III, standing at a height of nine meters.
Circulo de Bellas Artes
This impressive building on Alcalá Street was designed by the architect Antonio Palacios and is a prime example of cultural life. The distinctive ornamentation includes sculptures of the goddess Minerva and others.
Thyssen-Ornemisy Museum (Museo Thyssen)
The architect Rafael Moneo rebuilt and renovated the palace at Villahermosa, an early 19th century building, for the museum. The museum is said to be an addition to the Prado and Reina Sofía as it bridges gaps in their respective collections.
Reina Sofia Center for the Arts
The Museo Reina Sofía opened its doors to the public in 1990 with a collection of Spanish and international art spanning the late 19th century to the present day.
#2: Modern (Green)
Movement interval: 10 - 15 minutes.
Start of movement: 10:00
End of movement: 18:00
The start of the bass tourist movement from Neptune Square:
Bus stops
Neptune Square (Plaza de Neptuno)
The Fuente de Neptuno are located on the Paseo del Prado. By order of King Charles III, Juan Pascual de Mena began building this marble statue in 1780. In 1786, student José Rodriguez completed the project.
Plaza de Cibeles, Plaza de Colón
See blue route.
Sculpture Museum (Museo de Esculturas)
The Museo de Arte Público is the former Museo de Esculturas. Located under the overpass connecting Juan Bravo and Eduardo Dato streets, it displays a fine collection of Spanish abstract sculpture.
Museum of Natural Sciences (Museo de Ciencias Naturales)
The museum hosts events aimed at raising awareness of the diversity of the natural world. The collections number more than six million pieces, making the museum one of the main reference centers not only for the Spanish fauna, but also for other Mediterranean areas. Most likely, in the discount booklet of Madrid City Tour there will be a discount coupon for this museum.
Nuevos Ministerios (New Ministries)
Where the Hippodrome was once located, the Nuevos Millioris architectural complex is now located. In 1929, Secundino Zuazo y de Jansen began construction on the Nuevos complex, but construction was not completed until the 1940s.
Santiago Bernabéu (Real Madrid Stadium)
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is the home stadium of the Real Madrid football team. Named after the man who was the president of the club for 35 years.
After various remodeling projects, today it is classified as an elite stadium and has the highest five-star rating from UEFA.
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (Superior Council for Scientific Research)
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas is the largest public research institution in Spain and the third largest in Europe.
Museo Lázaro Galdiano (Lazaro Galdiano Museum)
The works presented in the museum were collected by Jose Lazaro Galdiano, a passionate collector. The collection includes over 12,600 paintings, sculptures, silver objects, precious stones, enamel and marble items, fabrics, weapons… from the 6th century BC.
Serrano, 61
Serrano Street takes its name from Francisco Serrano y Dominguez, a Spanish soldier and politician.
The building looks more like a palace than a factory. Now this building is a commercial and cultural center.
Serrano, 66
Serrano Street is known for its luxurious boutiques. One of the most expensive in the capital. Do not forget to check in when you drive through it on a comfortable bass tourist from Madrid City Tour. Let them envy.
Museo Arqueológico (Museum of Archeology)
The museum originated at the end of the 19th century and aims to bring together and exhibit objects related to archeology, ethnography, decorative arts and coins from different institutions.
Puerta de Alcala
See blue route.
Alcala, 17
Alcalá Street is the longest street. Along this street you can find attractions such as Banco Bilbao Vizcaya at number 16, the former discotheque Alcalá 20 at number 20, Edificio Metrópolis, the Unión y el Fénix Español building at number 23.
Puerta del Sol
The Puerta del Sol is not to be missed. It has several attractions, such as the statue of the Bear and the Stem Trees, next to Alcalá Street, and the equestrian statue of Charles III, standing at a height of nine meters.
Plaza de las Cortes
This is one of the most famous squares as it consists of the Congresso de los Diputados, the Palace Hotel and the magnificent statue of Cervantes.
On the main façade of the Congreso de los Diputados, a staircase rises to a neoclassical portico.
Night
The night line operates from June 16 to September 15. You can see the beauty of Madrid at night. The bus will take you along the Historic Madrid route, but without stops.
Good impressions!
We remind you, buy your tickets online and skip the lines for the Madrid City Tour!
Text: (c) Oleg Koloshin
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