Madrid is such a beautiful and cultural-rich city and it is visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year. If this city looks appealing to you and you want to visit it in the near future, then there are a few things you should know about its transport system. For example, Madrid has over 100 bus lines. This is a number that might scare you, but you must know that even if it is well developed, it doesn’t mean it is too complicated. So, if you learn a few tricks and what you shouldn’t do when traveling around Madrid, then things will become clear and easy. Leave that frightening maps away and focus on these 3 most important things you should know about transport in Madrid.
Airport transfer services in Madrid
The first thing you should know as a tourist in Madrid is how you will get from the airport to the real city. Besides the public means of transport that you can find in any other big city, here you can also choose between the mini-van shuttle services and hiring a driver. At first, you might think that you are no queen or president, so why should you pay someone to get you there in all this comfort? Well, you can choose the cheapest car and the comfort itself should be a good reason for you to do this. Forget about buying tickets and running so you won’t miss the bus, which might be really cramped. It won’t feel like a holiday if you have to run with all your bags and your suitcase. This is why you should choose between these two.
If you have enough money, then renting a car with a driver is indeed a good idea. You can choose the level of comfort and the facilities you want the car to have. Even better, if you want to feel like you belong to some royal family, then you can decide on having your personal driver for your whole stay here. He will tell you for sure lots of interesting unknown things about the city and will gladly take you on a sightseeing tour. Feel like a star for once in your life and enjoy the trip to its best.
Of course, there is also a low-priced way, which is the best to choose if you still want to feel comfortable, but with less money. Getting to your destination on a mini-van is cheaper on daytime and prices start at 7 euros per person, which is way more affordable than hiring a driver. But you can still imagine yourself being the queen, or the president on your way to the city. You have air-conditioning here too and a lot of space for you and your friends or family. People usually say this is the best airport service so far.
Car rental
Another suggestion would be to rent a car in Madrid. Even if it might sound luxurious, it is pretty affordable, especially if you don’t want the expensive ones. If you are on a business trip, then this is a must do for you. Even if the public transport here is really well established, in matter of jobs, you really have to be there on time and you should look fresh, not exhausted and sweaty from the bus trip. If you are here just for the holiday, then this is a good idea in case you want to visit the surroundings of Madrid. It is like a cheaper alternative to the driver services. The only difference is that you will have to drive here.
Even so, parking in this big city can really become a problem. This is why I recommend you to go for renting only if you are in one of the two circumstances above. Also, if the hotel you are staying in offers parking facilities, a rent-a-car service is a good idea.
Taxi Service
There are a few things you should know about cabs before you go to Madrid. For example, you should remember not to look for the yellow cars, because here taxis are white colored and they usually have a red stripe. Besides knowing the phone numbers, the stations and how to ask for a taxi call at your hotel, you should also be aware of the fact that you have to pay at least 2 euros to get one. And don’t forget that some stations have an additional payment of about 5 euros, but it differs from location to location.
Taking a cab isn’t extremely expensive in Madrid, but it isn’t the cheapest method either. Payment differs on weekdays, during rush hours and also on the speed. Sounds quite complicated, right? But it still is a better way to move around the city, even in large groups for which there are these “Euro taxis”, also available for disabled people with mobility problems.
Even if there are a lot of things to remember, these are really useful pieces of advice that might get you out of trouble whenever you want to call for a taxi. This way, you can pay attention to the way the driver acts with you and you can make a complaint every time you notice something with regards to the bill or the driver. You have to get the receipt from the driver and fill a form at the tourist information center. You are allowed and you should get his personal information like his ID number and also the plate number. So stay focused to avoid being tricked.
Travelling around Madrid might seem quite difficult. In reality, it is just a piece of cake. You just have to remember a few things and you are easily going to handle any situation you may encounter. Don’t give up on your trip just because you feel like you won’t be able to carry it off. Choose the transport mean that best fits you and your wallet and make sure you relieve all your stress in this beautiful city. Go back home feeling proud that you managed to understand Madrid’s streets and its complicated traffic.