Naviluz, the panoramic bus that runs through Madrid at Christmas, has raised its price to 15 euros. Less than ten years ago, in 2016, you could enjoy this same service for only 2 euros, which represents a price increase of 750%.
Previously, the Christmas proposal, operated through buses managed by the Madrid City Council. The Municipal Transport Company (EMT) itself set a symbolic price to cover costs, so it was very cheap. In recent years it has passed into the hands of various private companies, with the Alsa group as its current main operator.
A progressive increase
The idea of touring the city on a tourist bus to see the Christmas lights and decorations came about in 2006. To prevent people from traveling in their private vehicles, EMT launched this service, which became known as Navibús. At a cost of 2 euros, it quickly became a popular family activity.
It continued to operate in this way until 2016, when a private entrepreneur registered the Navibús trademark in his favor. The Madrid City Council, then governed by Manuela Carmena, sought a new name to maintain the tradition, giving rise to Naviluz.
In 2019, Naviluz doubled its price to €4 and severed its ties with the municipal company. The private sector took the reins and City Tour became in charge of providing the service.
After the pandemic, the traditional bus returned with a price of €6, a figure that has continued to grow until now, reaching €10 in 2024 and €15 in 2025 .
More Christmas bus options
Currently, Alsa is the heir to Naviluz and follows a route from the Goya door of the Prado Museum (Calle Felipe IV) to Plaza Cánovas del Castillo, with a general cost of 15 euros and reduced to 7.5 for children and seniors .
However, this is not the only option for locals and visitors to follow the Madrid tour. This year, you can find more companies offering similar routes but with other names.
Experience Travel Tours offers the Christmas Bus, whose general price ranges from 15 to 18 euros depending on the day and time of the month. And also Big Bus Tours has a Navibus service in Madrid, keeping the cost between 14 and 20 euros.
Thus, prices remain 750% above the original, which operated with the EMT and cost just 2 euros. Private companies are taking advantage of the Naviluz attraction and are increasing their offer in view of the interest in touring Christmas Madrid from a tourist bus.