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The most economical way of getting around the city is to buy a Metrobus ticket, valid for 10 journeys. You must stamp your ticket at the beginning of each journey. They are available from metro stations, estancos (tobacconists) and some newspaper kiosks. Single tickets for the metro are sold in the station.

Buses run from 6am until 11:30pm. Bus route maps can be obtained from tourist offices (see Sources of Information). Night buses known as buhos (owls) depart from Plaza de Cibeles every 20 minutes from midnight to 6am. The price is the same as a day ticket and Metrobus tickets are valid.

Madrid has a comprehensive metro system, with trains running every 3–5 minutes. Each of the 11 lines is colour-coded. The only other thing you need to know is the direction you’re travelling in and the name of the end station. Services run from 6am to 1:30am.

City taxis are white with a diagonal red stripe and green light on the roof. They may be hailed on the street or hired from one of the many ranks. Make sure that the meter is not already running when you get in. There are extra charges for airport pick-up, luggage, and on Sundays, public holidays and at night.

Use one of the official underground car parks, for example at Plaza Santa Ana, Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Oriente, or you can park on the street in designated areas using the pay-and-display parking system – green lines indicate a limit of one hour, blue lines no more than two hours. Illegally parked cars may be impounded and should be recovered as soon as possible as the fines rise every hour.

Anyone over the age of 21 can hire a car on presentation of a passport and valid driving licence (held for at least one year). You will also need an international insurance policy. All major companies are represented in Madrid and cars can be hired from the airport, main railway stations and large hotels.

Traffic drives on the right. Seat belts are compulsory for front-seat passengers. It’s illegal to drive while wearing headphones or using a hand-held mobile phone. Drivers must carry two red hazard triangles, spare bulbs and a spare wheel. The speed limit on motorways is 120 kmph (75 mph), on main roads 90 kmph (55 mph), and 50 kmph (30mph) within towns. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offence incurring on the spot fines.

The main tour bus company, Madrid Vision, offers several routes around the city including Historic Madrid and Modern Madrid. Buses depart daily from Gran Vía 32 and Sol every 10 to 25 minutes from 9:30am to midnight in summer and 10am to 7pm in winter. You can get on or off at any stop along the route. Cassettes with English commentary are provided.

Driving a motorcycle or moped is one way of avoiding traffic congestion and parking problems. Crash helmets must be worn, though many locals flout this law. Cycling in Madrid is dangerous.

The suburban train network, the Cercanías , is connected at various points to the metro. It is useful for reaching towns such as Alcalá de Henares and El Escorial.