How the Madrid Multi card works in 2026: where to buy it, which ticket to load (single, 10-trip or Tourist Pass), the airport supplement, sharing rules and when a contactless bank card is enough.
How to Get the Madrid Multi Card
Buy the Multi card for €2.50 at any Metro de Madrid ticket machine (the machines have an English menu) or at many tobacconists (estancos). Load a ticket on it at the same time, then top it up at any station machine whenever you need to.
Madrid Multi Card Benefits
- One card holds every ticket type: single journeys, 10-trip tickets and the Tourist Travel Pass.
- A 10-trip ticket works on Metro Zone A and EMT city buses and is the cheapest way to pay per ride.
- A 10-trip ticket can be shared by people travelling together: each person taps in turn and passes the card back.
- Reusable: keep the card for your next visit and simply load a new ticket.
- Tourist Travel Pass holders ride Line 8 to and from the airport without paying the €3 supplement.
Which ticket should you load?
| Ticket | Price (Zone A) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Single journey | €1.50–€2.00 (by number of stations) | One or two trips in total |
| 10-trip ticket (Metrobús) | €12.20 standard price; often discounted | Most visitors, and groups sharing a card |
| Tourist Travel Pass, 1 day | €8.40 | A day with many rides |
| Tourist Travel Pass, 3 days | €18.40 | Short stays with airport trips |
| Tourist Travel Pass, 7 days | €35.40 | A week of heavy use |
| Airport combined ticket | €4.50–€5.00 | A single trip to or from the airport |
Since 2023, public transport discount schemes have cut the price of the 10-trip ticket in half at times. The machine always shows the current price before you pay.
How to buy and load a Multi card, step by step
- At any metro ticket machine, choose English on the screen.
- Choose to buy a new card, then pick the ticket you want to load (for example, a 10-trip ticket for Zone A).
- Pay by card or cash. The machine issues the Multi card with your ticket already on it.
- Tap the card on the reader at the gate. The gate display shows how many trips are left.
- To top up later, place the card on the tray of any machine and choose a new ticket.
The airport supplement, explained
Line 8 serves two airport stations: Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 and Aeropuerto T4. Entering or leaving the metro at either of them costs an extra €3 on top of your normal ticket, unless you hold a Tourist Travel Pass or a monthly transport pass.
If you only need one trip, the machines at the airport station sell a combined airport ticket (about €4.50 to €5.00) that includes the supplement. If you have a 10-trip ticket, add the supplement at the machine before you leave the airport station.
Multi card or contactless bank card?
| Multi card | Contactless bank card or phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | €2.50 card fee | None |
| Price per ride | Lowest with a 10-trip ticket or pass | Full single fare every time |
| Share with companions | Yes, with a 10-trip ticket | No, one fare per card |
| Works on EMT buses | Yes (10-trip and passes) | Yes on many buses, at single fares |
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying single tickets for every ride. If you will ride three or more times, a 10-trip ticket is cheaper even with the card fee.
- Forgetting the airport supplement. The gate at the airport station will not open until the supplement is paid, unless you hold a Tourist Travel Pass.
- Loading a Zone A ticket for trips beyond Zone A. Some outer stations, such as parts of Line 12 (MetroSur), are in other zones and need a different ticket.
- Throwing the card away at the end of the trip. Keep it: you can reload it on your next visit.
Fare Reference (EUR)
Payment methods: Multi card (holds single, 10-trip and Tourist Pass tickets) · Contactless bank card or phone (single fares) · Tourist Travel Pass · Monthly Abono Transporte (residents).
💡 Load a 10-trip ticket onto a Multi card. It works on the metro and EMT city buses, can be shared by people travelling together, and costs far less per ride than single tickets. The Multi card itself 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 Metrobús (Zone A, standard price) | €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..
Tips for Using the Madrid Multi Card
- Tap in and tap out with the same card at every gate. The fare is worked out when you exit.
- Top up before you travel, through the official Madrid Metro app or website where available, or at station machines.
- If you lose the card, contact Metro de Madrid. Many systems can move the balance to a new card.
- Travelling to or from the airport? See the airport transfer guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Multi card refundable when I leave Madrid?
The €2.50 card fee is not refundable. The card does not expire quickly, so keep it for your next trip, or give it to a friend who is visiting Madrid.
Can I share a 10-trip ticket between two people?
Yes. A 10-trip ticket on a standard (non-personal) Multi card can be used by several people travelling together. The first person taps and walks through, then passes the card back for the next person. Each tap uses one trip.
Does the Tourist Travel Pass include the airport?
Yes. With a Tourist Travel Pass you do not pay the €3 airport supplement on Line 8. With single or 10-trip tickets, you pay the supplement when you enter or leave an airport station.
Can I buy a Multi card online before arriving?
No. The physical Multi card is sold in person at station machines and tobacconists. Buy it at the airport metro station when you land; the machines there accept cards and have an English menu.
Do I need a Multi card if I have a contactless bank card?
Not for single journeys: you can tap a contactless bank card or phone at the gates to pay a single fare. You do need a Multi card for 10-trip tickets and the Tourist Travel Pass, which are much better value if you ride several times.
See also: Madrid Metro ticket prices · Airport connection · Full Madrid Metro guide
Source: Metro de Madrid. Fares and card terms change from time to time, so verify before travel.