Passengers travelling around Madrid are soon to get a cheaper deal, here’s where you can cut costs

Travel costs can really add up. By the time you have got to the station, purchased your ticket and a coffee to go. However, good news is around the corner if you are living in or heading to Madrid, as the metro has new flat rates on the way.

One price for every Zone A journey

From October 1, a single Metro ticket for Zone A will cost just €1.50, with the fare no longer increasing according to the number of stations travelled. The measure was announced by Madrid regional president Isabel Diaz Ayuso during the first day of the Debate on the State of the Region at the Assembly of Madrid.

Current pricing starts at €1.50 for journeys of up to five stations. After the fifth station, the fare increases by €0.10 for each additional stop, reaching a maximum of €2 for journeys of 10 stations or more.

Under the new arrangement, that calculation disappears. A short journey and a much longer journey within Zone A, which covers the city of Madrid, will both cost €1.50 when using the single ticket. Passengers making longer trips will therefore see the clearest financial benefit. Someone currently paying the €2 maximum will pay 50 cents less per journey once the new fare begins.

Change applies to the single ticket

Regular travellers should note that this announcement does not represent a blanket change to every Madrid public transport fare. The amendment only concerns the single Metro ticket for Zone A. Existing travel passes and other transport tickets are not included in the announcement. Contactless payment also makes a difference. Since June, passengers have been able to enter Metro Madrid directly using a bank card or compatible mobile device, with a temporary reduced single-ticket price of €1.50 introduced for that payment method.

New Metro machines will offer video assistance

Madrid is also upgrading its ticket machines to make buying transport tickets easier for passengers who need assistance. New machines will include a video-call service, allowing users to speak in real time with a specialist who can answer questions, provide guidance and assist with completing a purchase remotely.

Initially, the service will be available on 209 machines installed across more than 70 station concourses. A further 144 machines are due to receive the technology between September and summer 2027.

€9 million Metro modernisation project

Funding for the modernise Madrid Metro’s ticket machines programme totals €9 million provided through the European Union’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.