I need Help with the Madrid Metro...?

When you get to the airport look for the METRO signs (red diamond) and follow them - it should be well indicated.

Once you find the metro station you will need to buy a ticket.

I always buy a MetroBus pass this is like inexpensive and gives you ten rides on the metro or the bus system. It is cheaper and I always use it and don't have to mess with fares. I don't know how your spanish is but if you say metrobus they'll know. Also at the kiosk you can find it easily.

Once you have your ticket. Board the train. There should only be one leaving the airport. You will be on the pink line - you can do this numerous ways but if you transfer at the end of the line (Nuevos Ministerios) you will need to then take the Dark Blue line # 10 to Tribunal direction (puerta del sur)- then take the light blue line (direction valdecarros) for two stops until you hit SOL.

This isn't the only way to go -there are more options. Study the map at the station and know how many stops so you can be looking for yours!

Once you pay you can ride as much as you like so if you miss a stop don't worry - just go back or take a different route!

It also sounds harder than it is - metro is a great way to go!

Happy Travels!

You really can't mess this up, as long as you aren't half asleep from being on a plane all night.

The metro signs are un missable, and inside the airport, there are signs pointing you in the right directions. If you think you missed one, find someone in airport uniform and just say "METRO?" and they'll point you. (obviously, if you speak Spanish, you can use complete sentences, but this will get the non Spanish speaker going).

Once inside the metro station, there are maps everywhere. look for the end of the line going to Puerta del Sol (I can't tell you off the top of my head which one, but everything, like most subways, is color coded - stupid simple). watch the signs from the windows, and use the map inside the car, to determine when it's time to get off. Puerta del Sol should be simple. Almost everyone will empty out, it's a HUGE station and a huge transfer station. It IS downtown.

Make sure you know which entrance is closest to where you are staying, so you can keep using the same one whenever you exit the station.

Now, once you are settled, go BACK to Puerta del Sol, stand with your back to the big Tío Pepe sign, and go into that big pastry shop and get some treats (it's really nice! - La Mallorqueña).

OOH! Brainstorm! Here's a link to the metro map:

http://www.softguides.com/madrid_guide/maps/metro_...

I can see what noname said, very quickly...SOL is the big huge light blue stop, right in the middle of the map.

Hola Mimosa...

There is a bus service from Barajas airport to the center of Madrid...

Also there is a Metro Line from the airport to Nuevos Ministerios

Below is the Metro website... You can check out which line you will have to use to get to La Puerta del Sol from Nuevos Ministerios

http://www.metromadrid.es/01_plano.asp

Have a nice stay in Madrid!