Madrid has one of Europe's most extensive metro networks, but the historic centre is compact enough that many visitors barely use it.
For a first trip, Madrid is easier on foot than the size of the map suggests. Sol, Plaza Mayor, Barrio de las Letras, Gran Vía, La Latina and much of Malasaña form a walkable central cluster. Use public transport for cross-city jumps, the airport and days when heat or tired legs make a 25-minute walk less appealing.
Metro is the simplest way to cover distance inside Madrid. Stations and lines are clearly numbered/colour-coded, and the network connects the central districts with major rail stations, stadium areas and the airport. For occasional rides, use the normal ticket products loaded onto Madrid's transport card system rather than buying a tourist pass automatically.
Visitors can use the anonymous Tarjeta Transporte Público Multi for eligible non-personal tickets. The separate Tourist Travel Pass provides unlimited trips for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 consecutive calendar days and is loaded onto a Multi card; when you buy the tourist product, the physical Multi card is included.
For most city-only trips, Zone A is the relevant tourist pass. Current CRTM prices are €10.30 for 1 day, €17.50 for 2, €23.10 for 3, €27.80 for 4, €33.40 for 5 and €43.20 for 7 days. Children under 11 receive a 50% reduction. Do the maths before buying: if you mostly walk and take only a couple of rides each day, unlimited travel may not be the cheapest option.
The Zone A Tourist Pass is valid on Metro within Zone A and does not require the separate Metro airport supplement. It also covers EMT city buses except the dedicated Airport Express. That distinction matters when comparing a tourist pass with pay-as-you-go airport travel.
EMT buses are useful when a surface route is more direct than changing Metro lines, and they are often easier for travellers who prefer to see where they are. Night buses keep the city connected after the normal daytime network winds down. Google/Apple Maps and Madrid's official transport apps are good for route planning, but check live service notices when a route matters for a timed booking.
EMT's Exprés Aeropuerto runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The current flat fare is €5, payable in cash, by bank card or mobile device. It is a separate product from the Zone A Tourist Pass, so do not assume an unlimited city pass covers it.
Renfe Cercanías suburban trains are useful for Atocha, Chamartín and some cross-city or outer-area journeys. The Zone A Tourist Pass includes Cercanías stations within that zone, while the wider Zone T pass covers the full Cercanías network included by the tourist product. Tourist passes are not valid on Renfe Regional services.
Official Madrid taxis are white with a red diagonal stripe and are easy to find in central areas. Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Cabify also operate. For short central trips, walking or Metro is usually faster once traffic and pickup time are considered; taxis become more useful with luggage, late at night or when several people can split the fare.
Do not assume every historic Metro station has identical step-free access. If mobility matters, check the current station accessibility/lift status for the exact route before leaving. Buses can be a useful alternative when a particular interchange would involve stairs or a long underground transfer.
Bank-card contactless is widely useful in Madrid, but the public-transport ticket system still has its own ticket/card products. The Airport Express explicitly accepts bank cards and mobile payment; for Metro and integrated CRTM tickets, follow the current ticket-machine/card instructions rather than assuming you can simply tap the same bank card through every gate.
A car is usually a liability in central Madrid: parking is limited, traffic can be slow and environmental access rules matter. Rent only when your itinerary genuinely requires driving beyond the rail/bus day-trip network, and check the current low-emission rules for your vehicle before entering restricted areas.
Stay central, walk whenever the route is under about 20–25 minutes, use Metro for longer hops and buy the Tourist Pass only if your planned number of journeys makes unlimited travel worthwhile. Keep the €5 Airport Express and other special airport products separate in your comparison. That approach is usually simpler than trying to optimise every fare before you arrive.