The Madrid travel tourist pass is the easiest and most convenient way to explore the Spanish capital using public transport.
The best way to make the most out of your time is to combine your Madrid Travel Tourist Pass with a tourist card such as the Madrid Pass (my favorite) or a Go City Madrid Explorer Pass.
Also known as the Título Turístico, this pass gives you unlimited rides on Madrid’s Metro, city buses, light rail, and suburban trains for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 consecutive days.
It’s ideal for visitors who plan to use public transport several times a day, whether you’re sightseeing around the Royal Palace, heading to the Prado Museum, or catching the Metro from/to the airport.
Once activated, you can travel anywhere in Madrid without worrying about single tickets or fares.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything about the Madrid tourist travel pass:
- How it works and what’s included.
- Where and how to buy it.
- The current prices and validity zones.
- And practical tips to make the most of your time in Madrid.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to use your Madrid travel pass like a local, and whether it’s the best option for your trip.
What is the Madrid Travel Tourist Pass (Título Turístico)?
The Madrid Travel Tourist Pass, officially called the Título Turístico, is a transport pass designed especially for visitors.
It gives you unlimited travel on Madrid’s entire public transport network for a fixed number of consecutive days.
This means you can take the Metro, EMT city buses, light rail (Metro Ligero), and Cercanías suburban trains as many times as you want without worrying about buying individual tickets.
You can choose between six durations: (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 days).
Once activated, your pass is valid for the chosen number of consecutive days, starting from your first trip.
Zones available
The Madrid tourist travel pass is available in two zones:
- Zone A: Covers central Madrid, including most attractions, major Metro lines, and the airport supplement.
- Zone T: Includes the whole public transport network within the region (comunidad autónoma) and a small portion of Toledo and Guadalajara provinces. That is both the city and surrounding areas (Zones B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, E1 and E2). Therefore, with a Zone T ticket you can do most of Madrid day trips – you can go to Toledo, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Chinchón, Aranjuez and Alcalá de Henares.
However, it’s important to note that the Zone T pass doesn’t cover Renfe Regional Services or high-speed trains (AVE). Therefore, while the pass provides extensive coverage within the Madrid region, it doesn’t include travel to cities like Segovia and Ávila, as these destinations are typically served by regional or high-speed trains not covered by the pass.
For trips to Segovia and Ávila, you would need to purchase separate tickets for the regional or high-speed trains that service these cities.
If you need help with that, here’s a very detailed tutorial on how to purchase your train tickets online in just a few minutes.
Key features at a glance
- Unlimited rides on Metro, bus, light rail, and suburban trains.
- Valid for 1-7 consecutive days (not 24-hour periods).
- Includes the airport supplement (no extra fee).
- Personal and non-transferable (each traveler needs their own pass).
- Available for adults and children under 11 (with discounted fares).
- Works across Zones A or T, depending on what you purchase.
How it works
When you buy the Madrid travel tourist pass, you’ll receive a contactless card (or a digital ticket in some cases).
You simply tap it at the Metro gate or on the bus reader every time you travel, no need to buy separate tickets.
As I said before, both Tourist Tickets (Zone A and Zone T) are available for a set number of calendar days (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 days), and not per 24-hour periods.
Let’s say you start using a 3-day pass on at 14:00 on Thursday. It will remain valid until 23:59 on Saturday.
Additionally, you’ll be able to use the night services until 5:00 in the morning on the last day.
Once the pass expires, you can reload the same card with a new Tourist Pass or use it to load other ticket types, like single or 10-trip tickets.
Where can you use the Madrid Travel Tourist Pass and where not?
| Título Turístico | Zone A | Zone T |
|---|---|---|
| Metro | Included | Zones A, B1, B2 and B3 |
| Airport Metro | Included | Included |
| EMT buses (blue ones) | Included | Included |
| Airport Express (yellow bus) | Not included | Not included |
| Suburban buses (green ones) | Not included | Included (Toledo + Guadalajara) |
| Cercanías (Renfe suburban railway) | Zones 0 and A | All zones |
| Airport train | Not included | Included |
| Regional trains (Renfe Media Distancia) | Not included | Not included |
| High-speed trains (AVE) | Not included | Not included |
You can use your Zone A Tourist Ticket in:
- All Metro lines covering all points of interest within the city of Madrid, including the Airport Extra Charge.
- All EMT buses (blue buses) lines, including the regular buses that link the airport with the city center, but not the Airport Express EMT bus line (Línea Exprés Aeropuerto).
- All Cercanías (Renfe suburban railway) stations included in zones 0 and A, except for the airport train.
- Metro Ligero (Light Rail) only on the ML1 line.
Your Zone T Tourist Ticket is valid for the above mentioned cases. And you can also use it in:
- The entire Metro of Madrid network, including the Airport Extra Charge. It can be useful only if you plan to stay in a neighboring town of Madrid.
- All EMT buses lines (blue buses), including the regular buses that link the airport with the city center, but not the Airport Express EMT bus line (Línea Exprés Aeropuerto).
- All suburban buses (green ones). It includes not only all the buses that circulate in the Madrid region (e.g. those who go to Aranjuez or Chinchón), but also those that go to Toledo and Guadalajara.
- All Cercanías (Renfe suburban railway) stations covering Zones 0, A, B1, B2, B3, C1, and C2, including the airport train.
- Metro Ligero (Light Rail) on ML2, ML3 and ML4 lines.
Be careful because your Tourist Ticket is not valid in any Renfe Regional trains (Media Distancia in Spanish) or high-speed trains.
If you need help with that, here’s a very detailed tutorial on how to purchase your train tickets online in just a few minutes.
Once your Tourist Ticket expires, you can use your Multi Card regularly charging single and 10-trip tickets. Have a look at a complete guide to use your Madrid transport card correctly.
How to get the Madrid Travel Tourist Pass (Título Turístico)
There’s no way to buy the Tourist Ticket in advance at a discount. You need to do so as soon as you arrive in Madrid, either
- At the airport if you arrive by plane.
- At the train station (Atocha or Chamartín) if you arrive by train.
- At any Metro station if you arrive by bus or rental car.
In order to get your Madrid Travel Tourist Pass, you first need to purchase a Madrid Multi Card. For example, it can be a single Metro ticket or your Tourist Ticket.
The Madrid Multi Card is a physical public transport red card on which you load tickets to travel on Madrid public transport system.
The Multi Card costs 2.50€ and you can recharge it as many times as necessary. If the first charge of Multi Card is a Título Turístico (Tourist Ticket), the Multi Card sale-price will be included in the price of the Título Turístico. So the card itself will be free!
Your can purchase your Madrid Multi Card without any ticket and it’s available at:
- All automatic ticket machines of Metro de Madrid and Metro Ligero (Light Rail).
- Tobacconist’s and other authorized points of sale, Bankia ATMs (with some exceptions) and Renfe Cercanías stations.
Remember that the Madrid Travel Tourist Pass or Tourist Ticket is a personal ticket (no one else but you can use it), so you’ll need to purchase one Multi Card for each person traveling with you.
Have a look at a complete tutorial on the Madrid Multi Card.
How much does the Título Turístico (Tourist Ticket) cost?
For obvious reasons, the Zone A Madrid Travel Tourist Pass is cheaper that the Zone T one as it covers a much smaller area.
Have a look at the official Título Turístico fares.
Tips for using the Madrid Travel Tourist Pass
A few smart tips can help you get the most out of your Madrid travel tourist pass, saving you time, money, and confusion while you explore the city.
Tip #1. Start early in the day
The pass counts calendar days, not 24 hours. So if you first use your Madrid tourist pass at 20:00, that entire day still counts.
To get full value, activate it early in the morning on your first sightseeing day.
Tip #2. Choose the right zone
- For most visitors, Zone A is perfect: it covers the airport and every major attraction in central Madrid.
- Choose Zone T only if you plan to visit towns outside the city, such as Toledo, Alcalá de Henares, or El Escorial.
Tip #3. Get one card per person
Each tourist travel pass Madrid is personal and can’t be shared. Every traveler needs their own card, even children (aged 4 and up).
Insider tip: Kids aged 4-11 get discounted passes, and children under 4 travel free.
Tip #4. Download the Metro map
Download a Metro de Madrid map or use Google Maps/Apple Maps to plan your routes easily. Both show you the fastest connections and travel times between attractions.
Tip #5. Keep the card for next time
Your Madrid travel pass card can be reused, even after your tourist ticket expires. You can load other tickets onto it, such as 10-trip passes or single journeys, on your next trip to Madrid.
Tip #6. Use it for airport transfers
Don’t waste money on taxis, the Madrid travel tourist pass includes the airport supplement automatically. Just take Metro Line 8 from the airport to the city center (Nuevos Ministerios) in about 25 minutes.
Tip #7. Avoid rush hour
If you can, avoid using the Metro between (7:30-9:30 and 18:00-20:30) on weekdays. Trains can get crowded with commuters, and traveling just 30 minutes earlier or later makes a big difference.
Tip #8. Check expiration before boarding
If your pass expires mid-trip, the gates won’t open on exit. Before heading out, make sure your Madrid tourist travel pass is still valid for that day.
Insider tip: If you’re in Madrid for 3 or more days and plan to take the Metro several times daily, the Tourist Pass is almost always cheaper than buying single or 10-trip tickets.
FAQ – Madrid Travel Tourist Pass
What does the Madrid travel pass include?
The pass includes unlimited travel on:
– The Metro de Madrid, including the airport,
– All EMT city buses,
– Metro Ligero (light rail),
– And Cercanías suburban trains within your selected zone.
It also includes the airport supplement, so you don’t have to pay extra for Line 8.
How long is the Madrid tourist pass valid for?
You can choose from 1 to 7 consecutive calendar days. The pass activates the first time you use it and expires at midnight on the last valid day.
What’s the difference between Zone A and Zone T?
– Zone A: Covers central Madrid and the airport, which is ideal for most tourists.
– Zone T: Covers the entire Madrid region, including nearby towns like Toledo or Aranjuez.
Can more than one person use the same pass?
No, the Madrid tourist travel pass is personal and non-transferable. Each person needs their own card, including children over 4 years old.
Do children need a Madrid tourist pass?
Children under 4 years old travel for free and don’t need a card. Kids aged 4 to 11 get discounted passes, available for both Zone A and Zone T.
Is the airport included in the Madrid travel tourist pass?
Yes! The airport supplement is automatically included in both Zone A and Zone T passes. You can use it on Metro Line 8 or Cercanías C-1/C-10 trains from Madrid-Barajas Airport.
Where can I buy the Madrid travel tourist pass?
You can buy it at:
– Any Metro station,
– Madrid-Barajas Airport (Terminals 2 and 4),
– CRTM service centers, or
– Authorized tobacconists (estancos).
Can I recharge or reuse my tourist card?
Yes, once your pass expires, you can reload the same card with:
– Another Tourist Travel Pass, or
– Regular tickets like the 10-trip Metrobús pass.
You can do this at any Metro station machine or authorized CRTM point.
Can I get a refund if I don’t use the pass?
No, the Madrid travel tourist pass is non-refundable once it’s purchased or activated. If you’re unsure, wait until you’re ready to start using it before you buy.
Bottom line: Is the Madrid Travel Tourist Pass worth it?
These are a few reasons that should incline you to get your Madrid Travel Tourist Pass (Título Turístico or Tourist Ticket) as soon as you arrive to the city:
- You can start using it as soon as you get to Madrid. In other words, you won’t have to deal with the ticket machines, which is always nice especially after a long flight and when you have to deal with jet lag.
- This city pass is excellent value for money. If you’re thinking of leaving the airport by Metro and/or returning to the airport using the Metro, the Tourist Ticket is a great investment since the Airport Extra Charge is included.
- The Madrid Tourist Travel Pass is an excellent option for the Zone A if you plan to use it more than 2 days and for any combination of Zone T. That’s particularly true if you have little time and want to do as many things as possible, even if walking around Madrid is a true delight.
- If you’re traveling with children younger than 11, getting them a city pass is a no-brainer: their ticket cost 50% less than yours.
- Using the public transportation system is the very best way to get around Madrid and having a Madrid Tourist Travel Pass is the most convenient way to ride on it.
Here are my zone recommendations:
- Zone A: Best option if you’re going to stay in the city center and plan to get around there.
- Zone T: Best option if you’re planning on making day trips to places like Toledo, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Chinchón, Aranjuez and Alcalá de Henares.
Remember that you cannot use your Tourist Ticket on high-speed trains (including the AVE to Guadalajara and the Avant to Toledo) nor Renfe Operadora regional trains.
If you need help with that, here’s a very detailed tutorial on how to purchase your train tickets online in just a few minutes.
