Metro, bus and ticket types in Madrid and Barcelona, airport supplements, common mistakes and a checklist to review before you set off.
How do you get around Spanish cities? With metro, bus, tram and suburban trains; the most practical option for tourists is to buy a city-specific multi-ride or tourist ticket. Systems differ in Madrid and Barcelona, and airport tickets are priced separately. This page covers the rules, mistakes and checklist for both cities.
In brief
- There is no single national card in Spain; Madrid and Barcelona have separate ticketing systems.
- In Madrid, an airport metro ticket incurs a 3.00 € supplement; there is no extra charge with the tourist ticket.
- In Barcelona, the T-casual cannot be used by more than one person at the same time.
- An airport ticket does not replace a city ticket; calculate it separately.
- A Schengen visa is required; processing time is 15-21 business days.
The core rule: no single nationwide card
In Spain, city transport is not managed by a single nationwide card but by city- and region-based systems. In Madrid, the regional transport authority CRTM sets the ticketing rules, while in Barcelona T-mobilitat and TMB do so. This means you need to plan tickets separately for each city on your route; don't assume a ticket from one city will be valid in another.
In major cities, the metro is the backbone of the network. Buses, trams and suburban trains complement the metro. Airport lines are often priced separately and may fall outside normal ticket rules.
Practical tip: if you'll be riding several times a day in a city, consider a multi-ride or tourist ticket instead of single tickets. This reduces both the cost per ride and the time you spend buying tickets.
Turkish citizens need a Schengen visa to enter Spain. You can view the visa requirements on the Spain visa page.
Madrid: Metro, bus and the tourist ticket
In Madrid, a single Metro Zona A ticket ranges from 1.50–2.00 € according to the CRTM table. A 10-ride (Metrobús) ticket costs 7.30 €. For stays of a few days, you'll choose between the 10-ride ticket and the tourist ticket; roughly estimate how many rides you'll need in advance.
Madrid Tourist Ticket
Prices for Zona A are as follows:
- 1 day: 10.30 €
- 2 days: 17.50 €
- 3 days: 23.10 €
- 4 days: 27.80 €
- 5 days: 33.40 €
- 7 days: 43.20 €
This ticket is valid on all Metro lines and does not require you to pay the airport supplement. It can also be used on all EMT bus lines except the airport express line.
Buying a ticket on the bus
A single ticket bought on the bus costs 1.50 €. For a day with many rides, the tourist ticket is more convenient; for just a few rides, the 10-ride ticket is enough.
Barcelona: T-casual and the zone system
The ticket tourists encounter most in Barcelona is the T-casual. It provides 10 journeys on metro, bus, train or tram within the Barcelona region. The price varies by number of zones:
- 1 zone: 13.00 €
- 2 zones: 25.50 €
- 3 zones: 34.70 €
Most trips within the city centre stay within the Barcelona zone. If you're heading to suburban points, check in advance on the T-mobilitat and TMB pages whether your zone covers your destination.
Important rule: the T-casual cannot be used by more than one person at the same time. If you're travelling together, each passenger must have their own ride entitlement; plan tickets per person rather than buying a single card for the group.
In Barcelona, the metro network is the main carrier of city transport. Buses are useful in neighborhoods the metro doesn't reach. When planning your route, relying mainly on the metro saves time and makes transfers easier.
From the airport to the city: supplements and special tickets
Airport connections may fall outside city ticket rules; this is the most common mistake. In both cities, calculate airport transport separately from your city transport budget.
Madrid
Those travelling to the airport (T1, T2, T3 or T4) by metro using a single ticket or a 10-ride ticket must pay a 3.00 € Airport Supplement (Suplemento Aeropuerto). The Airport Express Bus (Bus Exprés Aeropuerto) ticket costs 5.00 € and is only sold on the bus. If you're using the Madrid Tourist Ticket, no extra payment is required on the Metro, but this ticket is not valid on the express bus line.
Barcelona
The Airport ticket, sold only on the Barcelona Metro, costs 5.90 € in 2026. This ticket is not sold through any channel other than the metro; if you know you'll be taking the metro to the airport, factor this ticket into your plans.
If your flight is at night or early morning, check the first and last service times on the relevant authority's official page. If your tour includes a transfer, check the itinerary on the International Tours page to see whether the transfer is included.
Common mistakes and exceptions
The most common mistakes travellers make are:
- Forgetting the airport supplement. In Madrid, those travelling to the airport with a single or 10-ride metro ticket pay a 3.00 € supplement.
- Mistaking the T-casual for a group card. The card cannot be used by more than one person at the same time.
- Trying to use the tourist ticket on the express bus. The Madrid Tourist Ticket is not valid on EMT's airport express line.
- Looking for the express bus ticket elsewhere. In Madrid, the Airport Express Bus ticket is only sold on the bus; don't confuse it with the metro ticket.
- Expecting one city's ticket to work in another. Treat each city's ticket system separately.
As an exception, pricing for some lines may change according to the relevant authority's current tariff. Ticket prices and zone boundaries are updated over time; before you set off, check the current tariffs on the CRTM, TMB and T-mobilitat pages.
Verify discount conditions for children and young people on the authorities' official pages; this article does not include discount figures.
Step by step: how to get around Spain's cities
- Plan your route. Write down which cities you'll stay in and for how many days. For an itinerary covering Madrid and Barcelona, the Elegant Spain & Andalusia tour includes both cities; transfers and the sightseeing plan are detailed in the itinerary.
- Choose your ticket type. For short stays, the tourist ticket or 10-ride ticket in Madrid, and the T-casual in Barcelona, are the options to consider.
- Calculate airport transport separately. Compare the supplement and express bus options in Madrid with the special Airport ticket in Barcelona.
- Buy the ticket from the right place. Remember that in Madrid the bus and express bus tickets are bought on the bus, while the Barcelona Airport ticket is only sold on the metro.
- Check the coverage of your ticket. Before boarding, check which vehicles and zones your ticket is valid for.
- Keep the ticket until the end of your trip. Don't lose the card or ticket; your ride entitlement depends on it.
If you're touring the Andalucía region, consider intercity connections as well as city transport; you can refer to our Andalusia route article for this.
Checklist before you set off
Tick off these items before departure:
- Schengen visa: Required for Turkish citizens. The permitted stay is 90 days / 180 days. Processing time is 15-21 business days and the visa fee is €90. For current requirements, see the Spain visa page.
- City ticket: Consider the tourist ticket or the 10-ride ticket for Madrid, and the T-casual for Barcelona.
- Airport ticket: 3.00 € supplement or 5.00 € express bus in Madrid; 5.90 € Airport ticket in Barcelona.
- Separate ticket per person: The T-casual cannot be used by more than one person at the same time.
- Flight and check-in: To reach the airport early on your return day, read the online check-in guide.
- Fare check: Prices and line schedules are updated; check the official pages.
- Tour options: If you'd rather not plan it yourself, take a look at tours for this country.
Once you've completed this list, the likelihood of encountering surprises in city transport drops significantly.
Frequently asked questions
Which modes of transport are used for city travel in Spain?
Major cities use metro, bus, tram and suburban trains. In Madrid and Barcelona, the metro network is the main carrier. Buses are useful in neighborhoods the metro doesn't reach.
Is it worth buying the tourist ticket in Madrid?
The Madrid Tourist Ticket for Zona A is valid on all Metro lines and on all EMT bus lines except the airport express line. Since you can use the Metro without paying the airport supplement, it's suitable for stays where you'll ride several times a day.
How many people can use the T-casual card in Barcelona?
The T-casual cannot be used by more than one person at the same time. It provides 10 journeys on metro, bus, train or tram within the Barcelona region. Those travelling together need to plan a separate ride entitlement for each person.
Is there an extra charge for taking the metro from Madrid airport to the city?
Yes. Those travelling to the airport (T1, T2, T3 or T4) by metro using a single or 10-ride ticket must pay a 3.00 € Airport Supplement. The Madrid Tourist Ticket does not require this supplement.
Where can I buy the Barcelona airport ticket?
The Airport ticket in Barcelona is sold only on the Barcelona Metro and costs 5.90 € in 2026. Since it isn't sold through any other channel, plan for it if you'll be taking the metro.
Do I need a visa to travel to Spain?
Yes, Turkish citizens need a Schengen visa. The permitted stay is 90 days / 180 days; processing time is 15-21 business days and the fee is €90. Check the country page for current information.
How do you buy a ticket on the bus in Madrid?
A single ticket bought on the bus costs 1.50 €. The Airport Express Bus ticket costs 5.00 €, and both are only sold on the bus.
Sources
- Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid - CRTM Inicio — crtm.es
- Billetes para tu viaje al aeropuerto - Madrid — crtm.es
- Billete turístico - Madrid — crtm.es
- T-casual: the 10-journey ticket - T-mobilitat — t-mobilitat.cat
- 2026 Barcelona metro & bus fares: tickets & prices — tmb.cat
My Travel Team
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