Everything about the Multi card: how to buy, load tickets, fares, and whether you need one as a visitor to Madrid in 2026.
How to Get the Multi Card
Buy at any Madrid Metro station ticket machine for €2.50 (card fee, non-refundable). Load credit or a 10-trip Metrobus ticket at the machine. Also available at EMT bus driver booths.
Multi Card Benefits
- 10-trip Metrobus ticket (€12.20 Zone A) covers both metro and EMT city buses.
- Reusable across multiple visits — top up at any station machine.
- Tourist Travel Pass can be loaded onto the Multi card for unlimited daily rides.
- Works on metro, EMT buses, and some suburban bus services.
- Best per-trip cost: 10-trip at €1.22 per trip vs €1.50–€2.00 for single tickets.
Fare Reference (EUR)
Payment methods: Multi card (rechargeable) · Single-trip paper ticket · Contactless bank card (select gates) · Tourist Travel Pass.
💡 Load a 10-trip Metrobus ticket (€12.20) onto a Multi card — it works on both metro and EMT buses, and at €1.22 per trip is far better value than single tickets. The Multi card costs €2.50 and is reusable.
| Journey | Off-Peak (EUR) | Peak (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Zone A single (1–5 stops) | €1.50 | €1.50 |
| Zone A single (6+ stops) | €2.00 | €2.00 |
| 10-trip Metrobus (Zone A) | €12.20 | €12.20 |
| Airport supplement (Line 8) | €3.00 | €3.00 |
| Tourist Pass 1-day (Zone A) | €8.40 | €8.40 |
| Tourist Pass 3-day (Zone A) | €18.40 | €18.40 |
| Tourist Pass 7-day (Zone A) | €35.40 | €35.40 |
Peak hours: No peak fare surcharge — flat zone-based fares at all times. Airport supplement €3.00 applies on top of zone fare for Line 8 airport section..
Multi Card vs Single-Journey Ticket
| Multi Card | Single-Journey Token / Ticket | |
|---|---|---|
| Fare benefit | 10-trip Metrobus ticket (€12.20 Zone A) covers both metro and EMT city buses. | Standard full fare |
| Queue time | Tap and go — no queue | Buy at machine each time |
| Initial cost | €2 | Journey cost only |
| Works on all lines | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best for | Anyone staying 2+ days | Single one-off journey |
Tips for Using the Multi Card
- Always tap in AND tap out at every fare gate — tapping out is required to correctly calculate the fare.
- Keep the card topped up before travel to avoid holding up queues at entry gates.
- The Multi Card works for the airport connection — see the airport guide.
- If you lose the card, contact Metro de Madrid — some systems allow balance transfer to a new card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Multi card refundable when I leave Madrid?
The €2.50 card fee is non-refundable. Any unused loaded credit can be refunded at Metro de Madrid customer service offices (Quioscos de Movilidad). Keep the card for your next visit as it has no expiry.
Can I share a 10-trip ticket between two people?
No — the Multi card is personal and you cannot use the same card for two people in the same gate. Each traveller needs their own card. However, one person can make two consecutive taps using the same card for different journeys.
Does the Tourist Travel Pass include the airport?
No — even with a Tourist Travel Pass, the €3.00 airport supplement applies for Line 8 airport journeys. The pass covers unlimited rides everywhere else on Zone A.
Can I buy a Multi card online before arriving?
No — Multi cards must be bought in person at Madrid Metro station ticket machines or EMT offices. There is no postal or online purchase option for visitors.
See also: Madrid Metro ticket prices · Airport connection · Full Madrid Metro guide
Source: Metro de Madrid. Fares and card terms subject to change — verify before travel.