First Day Abroad

Getting around Spain: transport and apps

Part of the Spain arrival guide.

This information may change. Always check the official source.Last verified: August 2026 by

City transport and apps

In Madrid load the Tarjeta Multi card (2.50 €) with a 10-trip Metrobús ticket (6.10 €) and manage it with the CRTM app; in Barcelona use T-mobilitat tickets - T-Casual 13 € for 10 rides - via the TMB App. EMT Málaga covers the airport bus; Saily handles connectivity.

  • Both cities are card-based: you buy a carrier card first, then load journeys onto it.
  • Madrid's Tarjeta Multi costs 2.50 € and is shareable - several people travelling together can tap the same card at the gate.
  • Load a 10-trip Metrobús ticket at 6.10 €, and manage the balance over your phone's NFC with the transport card app.
  • Barcelona's T-Casual is 13.00 € for 10 rides in Zone 1, each valid 75 minutes with transfers - but it is strictly non-shareable, one person at a time.
  • Staying a month and arriving by metro? The T-Usual at 22.80 € includes airport rides with no supplement.

Urban transport in the Spanish metropolises is integrated and card-based - in both cities you buy a carrier card first, then load journeys onto it.

Madrid

  • The card - any metro, EMT city bus or ML light rail journey needs the plastic Tarjeta Multi, bought for 2.50 € at metro machines.
  • What to load - the 10-trip Metrobús ticket at 6.10 €, or the standard 7.30 € - 12.20 € rate depending on the current state subsidy level.
  • It is shareable - one card can be tapped repeatedly at the gate by several people travelling together.
  • Apps - Metro de Madrid (iOS/Android) for route planning, and Tarjeta Transporte Público (iOS/Android) for checking the balance and topping up instantly over the phone's NFC.

Barcelona

  • The card - paper contactless T-mobilitat tickets, with a 1.00 € issuance fee.
  • Short stays: the T-Casual at 13.00 € - 10 rides within Zone 1, each valid 75 minutes from validation including transfers between metro, buses and trams. Strictly non-shareable: one person at a time.
  • Longer stays arriving by metro: the T-Usual at 22.80 € per month. Personal, but it includes airport rides with no airport supplement.
  • Under 30, any nationality: the T-Jove at 45.50 €, unlimited travel for 90 days.
  • Apps - TMB App (iOS/Android) for navigation and for buying and topping up T-mobilitat tickets by phone.
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Arriving by air?33

Each airport has its own page for the way into town - the operator, the fare and what still runs late.

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Sources (3)

What this guide was checked against. Rules and prices change — follow the official link before you rely on a detail.