Madrid is a big city. So there are a lot of things that you should know. That is why we listed the best tips for you. Enjoy reading the best tips for your visit in Madrid.

Tip 1: From the airport to the centre

If there is one thing that characterizes big cities, it is the variety of options available in any situation. In this case, how to get to the city centre from the Adolfo Suárez – Madrid Barajas Airport or vice versa should not be a problem. One of the best tips is the easier and cheaper alternative is the metro but you can also choose the taxi or the bus.

• Metro: both to get out of the airport’s metro station and to get in, you will be charged a supplement of 3 euros; you will have to add the price of the single ticket, which ranges from 0.50 to 2 euros depending on the area you are going to. The best option to go to the city centre is to take the pink line to Nuevos Ministerios and there make the necessary transfer.

Important: the subway is closed from 1.30 a.m. to 6.00 a.m. approx.

• Taxi: The fixed price for the trip from/to the airport is 30 euros, regardless of the distance, if it is a holiday or at night. There is no supplement for luggage.
• Bus: Fast and comfortable, there are several options: you can take the line 200 that takes you to Avenida de America for 1.50 euros, this being the cheapest option; option 2 is the special express service, active for 24 hours, every day of the year, from the airport to Atocha for 5 euros. The journey takes 40 minutes under normal conditions and the frequency of the buses varies from 12 to 20 minutes during the day and 35 at night.

Important: from 11.30 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. the buses do not leave from Atocha but you will have to go to Plaza Cibeles.

Tip 2: How to move around in the centre

Subway, bus, taxi, car, bike or walk? The fastest way is perhaps the metro, which is easy to use and whose frequency is very good, it is valued as one of the best in Europe. You will find a stop at any corner.

Taking the bus can be a bit of a hassle if you’re not familiar with the capital and a taxi is the more expensive alternative. Beware of rush hour, traffic can be terrible (applicable to the car as well, where you have to add the impossible mission of finding a parking space).

Biking or walking are the best options if you have time. Despite the fact that Madrid is a city that is becoming more and more prepared for the use of the bicycle, we must not forget that it has many difficulties. Bici Mad, the electric bikes, are a good choice not to die trying 😉

Tip 3: Exchange offices

Where to change money or get money? Don’t worry, as we’ve told you before, the options are diverse:

The opening hours of banks are Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 14:00 and Saturdays from 8:30 to 13:00, except in summer.

The exchange offices in Madrid are open until 10pm. They are located in the city centre, the main tourist sites, bus terminals and train stations.

Some exchange houses in the center are: Bandivisas (Gran Vía, 26), Maccorp Exact Change (Alcalá, 2) and World Currency (Sevilla, 2).

ATMs are all over town. Usually with commission.

Tip 4: Tourist offices

• The general telephone number of the Madrid City Council tourist information service is 902 10 00 07 and the e-mail address is: turismo@madrid.org.
• The capital’s tourist offices are located at: Barajas airport (terminals T1 and T4), Chamartin station (lobby, gate 16), Atocha station (AVE lobby), and the Feria de Madrid or IFEMA (central corridor).
• The ones in the city centre are: Plaza del Emperador Carlos V, s/n (91 528 46 30); Casa de la Panadería-Plaza Mayor, 27 (91 701 22 10); Claudio Coello, 22 (91 781 55 14); Serrano, 16 (91 548 97 40), and Lagasca, 88, 4º (91 761 72 30).

Tip 5: Emergency

The 112 line (free) is a priority and exclusive for the communication of dangerous situations. You can access the services of Local or National Police, Guardia Civil, Fire Department, Samur-Protección Civil… Any request is referred to the corresponding body from 112.

Tip 6: Precautions

Although Madrid is not an unsafe city, as in any big city it is advisable to take extreme precautions in very busy areas and large conurbations. Put your belongings and backpacks in front of you and avoid carrying ostentatious objects in certain places such as the Rastro, the underground or the bus. Watch out for busy zebra crossings.

If you were robbed, there’s a police station in every neighborhood, dont worry. Some of the ones in the center of the capital are in: Leganitos, 19 (91 548 79 85), Rafael Calvo, 33 (91 322 32 68) and Las Huertas, 76 (91 322 10 27).

Important! The best advice! The only place in Madrid where you can get your passport without an appointment (always carrying your ID) is at the police station in terminal 4 of the airport.