The easiest way to get acquainted with the sights of Madrid - Madrid City Tour, or in other words Bus Turistic - a system of tourist buses plying around the city. This type of transport is available in many major European cities - I first met it on the example of Madrid (well, and accordingly I will tell about the Madrid version of the bass tourist).
UPD: I was prompted here that Madrid City Tour and Bus Turistic are still two different operators. In Madrid, there is only a City Tour, so at the request of Bus Turistic, only it is issued. Actually, that's why I call them so, then so - they are synonyms. But let's say in Barcelona - these are different things. I need to go and see it too =)

Madrid City Tour - outwardly very conspicuous red double-decker buses. They usually run around the historical center with many stops. At first, you go nuts when such a colossus starts to taxi at you on a narrow street (in one of the squares I ran away from such a thing - because while photographing the buildings I didn’t notice how a bus drove out from around the corner), but you get used to it very quickly and stop being surprised.

You can buy a one-day ticket - 20 euros or a two-day ticket for 25. You can enter and exit the bus at any stop if you have a ticket (each stop is indicated on the map). Thus, you can not only drive around to survey the surroundings, but also use it as a transport to get from one point to another:

The buses are double-decker - on the first floors there are places for the disabled and all sorts of wheelchairs, but I preferred to ride on the second floor. Each place is equipped with an audio guide in 16 languages ​​- you choose which one you need and you go and enjoy (Russian was number 7). By the way, the guide's stories are interspersed with rather pleasant jazz music - at least this made me wildly happy.

Actually, the standard ticket package includes a card, headphones and various other discount coupons in all sorts of shops and eateries.

On the top floor it is also very convenient because you can open the windows (which I constantly used to take some pictures directly from the window), also the roof of each bus leans back, but since it was winter and it sometimes drizzled, the roofs were mostly closed :

A rare exception is the open top. The day was really warm and sunny.

Well, respectively, a lot of filming leaning out of the window. Although, of course, the streets are so narrow there - it is worth doing this very carefully (often buses, and any transport go practically in grinding with the walls):

There are two tourist routes in Madrid - there are several intersection points to transfer from one to the second. The end of the first is next to the Prado Museum and the Ritz Hotel, the end of the second is near Neptune Square:

In addition to the main routes, there are also extended paths: some buses report that the bus follows an extended path (they are also indicated on the map with a dotted line). For example, the first route on its extended version calls at the embankment of the Manzanares River and even crosses it in one place along the bridge. The second route does not turn off near the Santiago Bernabeo stadium, but continues right in the AZCA area to Castilla Square and the Gates of Europe - the place where I never reached (((
In general, we can say that Route 1 is "old Madrid", Route 2 is "modern Madrid". Accordingly, the first is more interesting for a detailed study.

Usually I advise people to Bas Touristik for a quick study of the city, they say "time is short - and you can quickly see everything." I think that it is necessary to use this type of transport without fail: first of all, we drove through the entire center in this way, studied what was where, and then we already outlined routes where to go, what to see, etc. Yes, and it just helps to navigate better. Useful thing in short.

— The movement of buses is carried out all year round.

– Winter opening hours (November, December, January and February) from 10.00 to 18.00. Summer schedule, other months, from 9.00 to 22.00.

– Tickets are valid for all routes, and for one or two days, depending on the option you choose.

— The movement of the bus is carried out at intervals of 8-15 minutes. This interval is approximate, as it depends on the state of urban traffic.

- Animals are not allowed, with the exception of guide dogs.

– The average duration of Route No. 1 is 80 minutes, and Route No. 2 is 65 minutes.

- Tickets can be purchased from buses, hotels, travel agencies, Madrid City Tour information centers and other points of sale.

- The ticket must be kept until the end of the trip, as it can be demanded by the employees of the enterprise at any time. The loss of a ticket means the inability to access the services or continue to use them.

Route "Madrid Historic"

From the square near the Prado Museum, the bus moves along Felipe IV and Alfonso streets, along Independence Square, past the Alcala gate, along Velasquez and Goya streets, along Columbus Square. Continue along Recoletos Boulevard, Cibeles Square, Gran Via Street, Plaza España, Princesse and Ferras Streets, Plaza Oriental, Bailen Street, past the Toledo Gate, past Mayor Square, then onto Puerta del Sol, along San Jeronimo Street, Prado Boulevard and past Square of the Emperor Charles V.

Route "Modern Madrid"

From the square near the Prado Museum (from the corner of Plaza Canovas del Castillo next to the park of the Ritz Hotel), the bus moves along Prado Boulevard, passes along Recoletos and Castellana Boulevards, Concha Espina Avenue, Serrano Street, Independence Square past the Alcala Gate, then along Cibeles Square and Street San Jeronimo.

Buses run daily from 10:00 to 19:00 with an interval of 20 minutes. Seats on the buses are equipped with audio guides in 8 languages ​​(including Russian), which introduce tourists to the sights along the route.

Do you want to enjoy the most beautiful places in Madrid?

Buy tickets for the "Madrid City Tour". With our bus you can travel around the capital of Spain, and see all the most emblematic places of the city.

Madrid is one of the most important and beautiful capitals in Europe, and its tourist interest is at the highest level.

That's why we want you to enjoy your trip to Madrid at 100%.

In addition, you can do it without limit of hours and many times you want, thanks to our service "Hop-on Hop-off" that we will explain below.

What is the Madrid City Tour?

The Madrid City Tour is a sequence of buses that travel by the capital of Spain.

The tour is well designed, so you can see all of the most important places of Madrid.

The bus consists of two floors, the second is without roof.

To move from floor to floor, the bus have 2 stairs: the front is to climb, and the back to go down. It can be used when the bus is parked (for the safety of passengers).

Services of the Madrid City Tour

In our Bus you have free Wi-Fi, so you can connect and stay in line with your contacts.

We also offer you an audioguide in 14 different languages, so you can inform yourself while visiting the most famous places of Madrid.

And, of course, as it could not be otherwise, our bus is adapted for people with reduced mobility.

Madrid City Tour. Hop On-Hop Off Service

With our Hop On-Hop Off service, you"ll be able to have the freedom to hop on and off the bus as many times as you want. It will help you to visit the city at your own pace.

Tickets are for one or two days, depending on your choice. Therefore, during that period of time you will be able to use without limits our "Madrid City Tour" bus.

Tickets and prices of Madrid City Tour

In spite of the complete service offered to the tourists, the price of the tourist bus of Madrid is very economic.

The tickets of Madrid City Tour are cheap, so they are affordable for everyone.

Below we leave you the different offers to buy the Madrid City Tour tickets

* The price shown includes the order processing costs of Tictactickets. Once you have acquired the admission ticket, any changes are not allowed and the amount paid will not be reimbursed under any circumstances.

*The requests of a refund are accepted within a maximum of 30 days after the date of the visit.

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:

1. Historic Madrid
2. 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 depart 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.

Underground

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 hours.

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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The tourist bus in Madrid is called the Madrid City Tour. In addition, it is often searched for Madrid Bus Touristic and Madrid hop on – hop off.

The sightseeing bus in Madrid allows you to get on and off at any stop by purchasing one ticket for the whole day or two days. Tourist buses in Madrid are comfortable: they are double-decker, the second tier is often open, so tourists can take excellent photos.

You can buy a ticket for a sightseeing bus in advance, saving money, using the link. In the window that opens, just select the city.

Madrid tourist bus routes

There are two tourist bus routes in Madrid: blue and green. They consist of 16 and 21 stops, you can buy one ticket and travel on both Madrid tourist bus routes in a hop on – hop off system.

Hop on – hop off Madrid: timetable

Hop on - hop off buses in Madrid allow you to get on and off at any stop for one or two days (depending on the ticket price).

From November to February they run from 10 am to 6 pm, and from March to October from 9 am to 10 pm. You can board the Madrid City Tour bus at any of the stops.

Excursions in Russian in Madrid

It is not difficult to find a Russian-language tour in the capital of Spain, but usually such entertainment is not cheap. Tourist buses are a good alternative, since they allow you to listen to a tour in Russian in Madrid through special headphones (given when buying a ticket).

Madrid tourist bus map

In addition, by purchasing a ticket for the Madrid City Tour, you get discounts. What exactly - see the link.

Tourist bus in Madrid: prices

Prices for tourist buses in Madrid depend on the number of days and age. Here are the prices for the Madrid sightseeing bus when purchased online in June 2012. Even if they change, a rough idea of ​​​​the order can be made.

1. Madrid City Tour adult ticket price for one day: 20 euros.
2. Price for the hop on – hop off bus in Madrid for an adult for two days: 24 euros.
3. The price of a reduced ticket for a sightseeing bus in Madrid for one day: 9 euros.
4. Reduced ticket price for two days: 12 euros.
5. A family ticket for the tourist bus in Madrid (2 adults + 2 children) costs 50 euros for one day.

Preferential tickets are considered for children (7-15 years old) and the elderly (from 65 years old).