Using Metro, buses and Cercanias (commuter rail) in Madrid

Key rules

• Age category: Joven (under 26) is the cheapest, Normal is 26 to 64 and Mayor is 65 and over.
• Cercanías: Your Abono works on Cercanías trains only between stations inside the zones on your pass.
• Personal card: The transport card is personal and cannot be used by anyone else.
• Prices: Prices rise with each zone and are revised every year, so confirm the current figure before buying.

The short answer

In Madrid you load one monthly pass, the Abono, onto a personal transport card. It covers Metro, buses and Cercanías trains inside the zones you pick. The cheapest valid option depends on two things: your age category and the zones you travel in. Choose both before you buy.

How the zones work

Madrid city is zone A. Outside it come B1, B2, B3, C1 and C2, and some outer lines have special zones E1 and E2. Prices rise as you add zones. Buy only the zones you really use: if you live and travel inside the city, zone A is enough. If you live in a suburb and commute in, pick the zone where you live and make sure it includes where you work or study.

Which Abono category is cheapest

• Joven is for people under 26. It is the cheapest category.
• Normal is for ages 26 to 64.
• Mayor is for ages 65 and over. It has the lowest fixed price.

Joven and Mayor passes have been heavily subsidised since 2025. Prices are set by the Comunidad de Madrid and revised every year, so look up the current price for your zone and category with the regional transport authority (CRTM) before you buy. The decision block below helps you choose.

Does the Abono cover Cercanías?

Yes. Cercanías is Renfe's commuter rail, and your Abono is valid on it, including the Madrid lines C-1 to C-10. It only works between stations inside the zones on your pass. Travelling to a station outside your zones is not covered, so pick zones that include the stations you use.

Getting the card

You need the Tarjeta Transporte Público, a personal card issued through the CRTM. You can apply online, or at a Metro de Madrid customer service office with an appointment. Some authorised offices also take applications. The first card is free or low cost. Ordered online, it arrives by post in about 1 to 2 weeks, so apply before you need it. Documents and the step-by-step timeline are below.

The card is personal. Only you can use it. Children under 12 can use a Joven-category card where eligible.

Mistakes to avoid

• Buying more zones than you need.
• Assuming a pass for one zone works on a train to a station outside it.
• Lending your card to someone else.

Choosing between options

Which Abono category should you buy in Madrid?

• Joven pass: You are under 26. This is the cheapest category and is heavily subsidised.

• Normal pass: You are between 26 and 64.

• Mayor pass: You are 65 or over. It has the lowest fixed price.

Buy the pass for your age, in the zone where you travel most. Prices rise with the zone, so do not pay for an outer zone you will not use.

Prices and age bands are set by the Comunidad de Madrid and revised each year, so check the current figures with the CRTM.

Timeline and deadlines

• Apply for your transport card online, or book an appointment at a Metro customer service office: as soon as you have your ID and a digital photo

• Wait for the card to arrive by post if you ordered online: about 1 to 2 weeks after ordering

Documents you need

• Photo ID: a DNI, NIE, residence card or passport, issued by Spain or your home country. You need one of them to apply for the transport card.

• A digital photo of yourself, uploaded when you apply online or taken on site at the office.

Checklist

• Find out which zone you live in and which zones you travel to: Madrid city is zone A, and the outer zones are B1, B2, B3, C1 and C2.

• Check your age category: Joven is under 26, Normal is 26 to 64 and Mayor is 65 and over.

• Look up the current Abono price for your zone and age category with the CRTM before you buy.

• Get your passport, NIE, DNI or residence card ready for the card application.

• Allow 1 to 2 weeks for the card to arrive by post if you ordered online.

Frequently asked questions

Does my Madrid Abono cover Cercanías commuter trains?

Yes, Cercanías is included in the Madrid Abono, but only on journeys within the zones printed on your pass. The Madrid-area lines C-1 to C-10 are covered. A station outside your pass zones is not covered.

Can I use my passport to apply for a Madrid transport card?

Yes, a passport is accepted as ID for the card, along with a DNI, NIE or residence card. You also need a digital photo, which you upload online or take on site.

Can someone else use my Madrid transport card?

No, the card is personal and non-transferable, so only the person it was issued to can use it. Each member of your household needs their own card.

Which age category is the cheapest Abono in Madrid?

The Joven pass, for people under 26, is the cheapest category. Normal is for ages 26 to 64, and Mayor, for 65 and over, has the lowest fixed price.