By Bus in Madrid

Madrid has no central bus station; buses are generally less popular than trains (though they sometimes can be faster). Most of southern and eastern Spain (including Toledo) is served by the Estación del Sur. Auto Res also operates buses from there to other destinations such as Cuenca, Extremadura, Salamanca, and Valencia. From the Estación de Avenida de América, two companies, Continental Auto and Alsa (which also has buses departing from the south station), serve mostly the north and the east, respectively. Alsa, for instance, runs two buses to Barcelona daily from Estación del Sur, and almost 20 from Avenida de América. There are also several smaller stations in Madrid, so inquire at travel agencies for the one serving your destination.

Estación de Avenida de América and Estación del Sur have subway stops (Avenida de América and Méndez Álvaro) that leave you right at the station. If you intend to go to Segovia, take the subway to the Príncipe Pío stop, get the Paseo de la Florida exit, and walk on the left-hand side of the street until you get to La Sepulvedana bus station. La Sepulvedana bus company serves Segovia, Ávila, and La Granja. Herranz goes to El Escorial (it leaves from the Intercambiador de Moncloa; that is, the Moncloa bus station) and from there to the Valle de los Caídos. La Veloz has service to Chinchón, and Aisa goes to Aranjuez and from there to Chinchón.

Red city buses run from about 6 AM to 11:30 PM and cost EUR 1 per ride. After midnight, buses called búhos ("night owls") run out to the suburbs from Plaza de Cibeles for the same price. Signs at every stop list all other stops by street name, but they're hard to comprehend if you don't know the city well. Pick up a free route map from the transportation authority's (EMT) kiosks on the Plaza de Cibeles or the Puerta del Sol, where you can also buy a 10-ride ticket called a Metrobus (EUR 6.15)—it's also valid for the subway. If you speak Spanish, call for information (902/507850). Drivers will generally make change for anything up to a EUR 10 note. If you've bought a 10-ride ticket, step just behind the driver and insert it in the ticket-punching machine until the mechanism rings.

Bus Companies Aisa (Estación Sur. 902/198788. Metro: Méndez Álvaro). Alsa (Av. de América 9, Salamanca. 902/422242. www.alsa.es. Metro: Avenida de América). Auto Res (Estación Sur. 902/020999. www.auto-res.net. Metro: Méndez Álvaro). Continental Auto (Av. de América 9, Salamanca. 91/745-6300. www.continental-auto.es. Metro: Avenida de América). Herranz (Intercambiador de Moncloa, Moncloa. 91/896-9028. Metro: Moncloa). La Sepulvedana (Paseo de la Florida 11, near Estación del Norte, Moncloa. 91/559-8955. www.lasepulvedana.es. Metro: Príncipe Pío). La Veloz (Mediterraneo 49, Atocha. 91/409-7602. Metro: Conde de Casal).

Bus Stations Estación del Avenida de América (Av. de América, 9, Salamanca. No phone. Metro: Avenida de América). Estación del Sur (Méndez Álvaro s/n, Atocha. 91/468-4200. www.estaciondeautobuses.com. Metro: Méndez Álvaro). Intercambiador de Moncloa (Princesa 89, Moncloa. No phone. Metro: Moncloa).