In the Cities: Metro & Co.

Spain's major cities have excellent public transport networks. You don't need a rental car in Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia — on the contrary, it would be a burden.

Madrid

Madrid's Metro is the second-largest subway network in Europe (after London) with 13 lines and over 300 stations. Clean, safe, reliable — operates from 6:00 to 1:30.

• Single Ride: €1.50–2.00 (depending on zones, in the city center €1.50)
• Tourist Card (Abono Turístico): 1 day €8.40, 3 days €18.40, 5 days €26.80, 7 days €35.40 — unlimited rides in Metro, Bus, and Cercanías (Zone A). Worth it from 5–6 rides/day.
• Multi-Card: 10 rides for €12.20 (€1.22/ride) — the best deal for most tourists.
• Airport Surcharge: The Metro to the airport (Line 8) costs an additional €3. Alternative: Cercanías C1 to Terminal 4 (€2.60, no surcharge).

Barcelona

Barcelona's transport network combines Metro (8 lines), Bus (over 100 lines), Tram, and FGC (regional trains, e.g., to Montserrat). The Metro runs Mon–Thu 5:00–24:00, Fri until 2:00, Sat continuously, Sun until 24:00.

• Single Ride: €2.40
• T-Casual (10 rides): €11.35 (€1.14/ride!) — valid for Metro, Bus, Tram, and FGC within Zone 1. Non-transferable.
• Hola BCN! (Tourists): 2 days €16.40, 3 days €23.80, 4 days €31.00, 5 days €38.20 — unlimited rides including airport Metro.
• Airport: Metro L9 Sud (Airport Zone, not included in T-Casual, single ticket €5.50). Alternative: Aerobús (€6.75, every 5 min. to Plaça Catalunya, 35 min.).

Valencia

Compact network of Metro (6 lines, plus Tram) and city buses of EMT Valencia. The old town is easily walkable.

• Single Ride: €1.50 (Zone A)
• Bonobús (10 rides): €8.50 (€0.85/ride)
• Valencia Tourist Card: 24h for €15, 48h for €20, 72h for €25 — Metro + Bus + discounts at museums.
• Airport: Metro Line 3 and 5 to the center (approx. 25 min., €4.90 including airport surcharge).

Seville

Seville has only one Metro line (Line 1), which is of little relevance to tourists. The city thrives on Bus (Tussam), Tram (MetroCentro, through the old town), and above all: on foot. Seville's old town is wonderfully walkable.

• Single Ride Bus: €1.40
• Bonobús (10 rides): €6.50 (€0.65/ride)
• Bicycle (Sevici): Seville's bike rental system is excellent — flat city, wide bike paths. Weekly pass €14.50 for short rides.

Taxi & Ridesharing

Taxis in Spain are significantly cheaper than in Germany:

• Base Fee: €2–3, then about €1–1.20/km
• Example Ride (Madrid, 5 km): approx. €8–10
• Airport Transfers: Fixed prices — Madrid Barajas → Center: €33 (fixed), Barcelona El Prat → Center: approx. €40
• Apps: FreeNow (formerly mytaxi), Cabify (Spain's Uber alternative, legal and reliable), Uber (only in Madrid and Barcelona, limited availability)