I will have to take 3 different metro lines to get from the airport to where I am staying. My question is, do I have to buy a ticket for each line, or is the ticket I buy at the airport good for the 2 transfers too?

Be alert in the Madrid subway, we were robbed by a group of I am almost certain Rumaians.
THey come in all togeher with you into the wagon, one drops something in front of you...
the rest is history. Good luck.

why don't you take the airport bus.. then a taxi the last bit or walk, depending on where you are staying. the metro is NOT convenient to most areas and as mentioned.. pretty prime target area for tourists.

we wil be happy to help you if you give us your hotel name and address.

It is just one ticket, but it would help to know where you were going in case the number of changes can be minimized.

Bye, Cova

No metro system makes you buy special tickets just for one line, they are set up to crisscross for coverage and for people to transfer. The only stipulations I've ever seen on metro tickets in any case are either distance or time.

The Metro is sort of a pain with luggage. If you are traveling light and don't mind watching your stuff like a hawk, it is an option.

The Metro is great for getting around in general though.

We will only have one small suitcase a piece, so we will be traveling light. My one concern is being observant for theives, which I, unfortunately am not very good at. I am staying on Calle de Cava Alta and I know I have to take the pink #8 line to the number 10 line, then transfer from that line to the lime green line, then exit at La Latina. I don't know, as I write this, it sounds like a pain. Maybe it will be better to take a taxi. But since I only have to buy one metro ticket, it is so inexpensive, and thus very tempting. Thank you for all your good advice.

take the 1 euro ( or one click on a 10 ride ticket) bus 200 to the canillejas busstop. The bus will say "Avenida de America intercambiador". Get off at Canillejas and I think you have to cross the highway ( there is a huge bridge but many people will be doing it) and there you have the metro line 5 that will take you straight to your la latina stop.

Here is the bus stop map.

http://www.emtmadrid.es/web_emt_babe...ad1fd0f217.pdf

Buy a ten ride ticket at the tabaco shop inside the airport ( unless they have closed it!). Or pay for the bus in cash, then you buy a ten ride ticket at metro station and BOTH use it during your stay. The tickets are good for both buses and metro.

The quickest is the metro option (45 mns )
Aeropuerto - Nuevos Ministerios L8
Nuevos Ministerios - Alonso Martinez L10
Alonso Martinez - La Latina L5

and the one with less transfers is the one recommended by Lin (a bit more than an hour)

Having to choose, I think Lin´s option is far better, specially because you avoid the very crowded Nuevos Ministerios metro station, with its pickpocket danger, and having to drag the suitcase up and down a few stairs.

Bye, Cova

or take the bus /metro to Madrid stop and taxi from there.

I prefer the bus, just because at least you are entertained watching the traffic going into town to work.

So if you do take the 200bus to the last stop.. come upstairs and get a taxi.

Not sure which of the few madrid stops you should take if you take the airporter.It goes INTO Madrid downtown.

Thank you so much for all the great information. I think we will do as Lin says and take the bus into town, then catch a either take the metro or take a taxi. We will probably decide when we get there.

The 200 bus stops underground at a metro station ( Av America). last stop on route.

the airporter is a different bus and goes right into madrid where the Cibeles or Atocha stop is where you would get off. I am inclined to think the Cibeles stop will be easier to grab a taxi.

If you take the 200 bus back to the airport at any point remember that it LOADS to go to the airport on the complete opposite side of the station at the END.

Lots of taxis at the airport bus stops in both Cibeles and Atocha. From there it would be a 5€ taxi ride to Calle Cava Alta. Brilliant place to stay!

Taxi from the airport to your hotel would be 25-30€.

Atocha will have a big station supplement for the taxi.

If you get the 200 bus and get out at the very end, it is a main bus station and there is a surcharge of 2,95 euros (same as with train stations).
On one side, the bus is cheaper up to there, but then you get the surcharge and a bigger fare from Avda de America to La Latina.
The Express Airport Bus is just 2 euros. If you get down at Cibeles, there will be plenty of taxis, it will be cheaper to your destination and you won´t pay any surcharge.
http://www.emtmadrid.es/lineaAeropuerto/index.html

Bye, Cova

TTT

Thanks for the great info. As I look at the website for the bus, it appears the 200 makes 2 stops after leaving Barajas...1st at Canellejas and the second at Avda de La America. So if we were to take the 200 with the intent of connecting to the Metro 5 line it would be the 1st stop from airport, correct ??

Yes, that´s right. The 200 bus stops at Canillejas, Arturo Soria and then Avda America. The first stop after leaving the airport will be handy for the L5.

Bye, Cova

Thank you Cova. You are truly a great resource on this forum for Madrid and Spain. Appreciate your insights to making travel to a wonderful country easier to do.