To move around Madrid in an unlimited way, a monthly pass is no longer necessary. The Tarjeta Turística (Tourist Public Transport Card) allows unrestricted travel on metro, bus, light rail and even commuter trains for a specific number of days.
As its name suggests, it is designed for tourists or people who are in the capital for only a few days. For a price of 10 euros, you can travel throughout the city for a day (zone A), a cost that rises to 15 if it is for the entire Community (zone T).
Squeezing out the day
The card is valid from its first use until 5:00 a.m. on the last day in force, allowing you to squeeze the most out of your visits and take advantage of night transport services. It is a personal ticket, so it cannot be shared among several travelers.
To buy it, just go to the vending machines at any subway or suburban station, with no need for prior reservations or additional procedures. It is part of the “Tarjeta Transporte Público Multi“(Multi Public Transport Card) and there are two types to choose from.
Zone A includes only the city of Madrid, also with the subway to the airport, while zone T covers the entire transport network of the Community. The fares range from 10 euros (one day in zone A) to 61 euros (7 days in zone T).
Children at half price
Children under 11 years old have the same options but the price is halved, an advantage that makes public transport travel easier for families.
In addition, for both children and adults, the physical card does not entail an extra cost and can be reused on future occasions. It is enough to use the same ticket and recharge it at the machines with a new tourist voucher, single Metro tickets or 10-trip tickets.
Public transport also from the cell phone
In addition to this tourist card, the Community of Madrid is working on a new digital pass for cell phones. The idea is to be able to use it from the “Mi Tarjeta Transporte” application, simply by bringing the phone close to the turnstile as if it were the classic red card.
According to the Community of Madrid, in the next six months, the personal travel card can also be digitized and recharged from home. This will simplify the daily life of users, who will no longer have to go to machines or tobacconists to carry out these operations.