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Getting Around Public Transport Central Madrid is served by a comprehensive network of more than 150 city bus routes, a modern and extensive metro system and local trains to the neighbouring cities and towns. The main hub is Puerta del Sol. The Consorcio Transportes de Madrid (tel: (902) 444 403; website: www.metromadrid.es or www.ctm-madrid.es) metro system will cover more than 230km (143 miles) by 2003 and is good value, clean and efficient, although crowded during rush hour. Trains run every three to five minutes, 0600-0130. Each of the 11 metro lines is distinguished by a colour and number (at stations and on maps). EMT (tel: (91) 406 8810) runs Madrid’s bus service. Night buses, known as buhos (owls), depart from Plaza de Cibeles for the suburbs, between 0000 and 0600, and cost the same as an ordinary day ticket. The local train network, operated by Cercanías (tel: (91) 506 7067), comprises 11 lines in the Madrid area and provides a fast link between Charmartín Station and Atocha Station – as well as to destinations such as Toledo and El Escorial (see Excursions). Single tickets for the metro and city buses (available on board and at stations) cost €0.95. Metrobús tickets (a carnet of ten tickets) cost €5 and are available for purchase at metro stations, estancos (tobacconists) and EMT information kiosks at Plaza de Callao and Puerta del Sol. The abono transportes pass (a passport photo is required) offers unlimited trips on any combination of public transport – metro, bus and train – within the zone and period of time (month or year) chosen. A one-month ticket costs €32.30 (concessions are available). Taxis Oficina Municipal del Taxi (tel: (91) 588 9632) is the governing body of taxis in Madrid. City taxis – white with a diagonal red stripe and a green light on the roof – are available for hire at ranks or on the street. Meters start at €1.50 and rates per kilometre are €0.90 before 2300 and €1 thereafter. When entering a taxi, travellers should always check that the meter is not already running, as this is an occasional scam to overcharge passengers. There are surcharges for additional passengers, luggage and telephone or airport pick-up. Taxi touts are to be avoided. For tipping, rounding up to the nearest Euro is appreciated. Major private taxi companies include Radio Taxi de Madrid (tel: (91) 547 8608), Radio Taxi Independiente (tel: (91) 405 1213) for long-distance trips and Radio Taxi (tel: (91) 447 3232), which also provides a service for the disabled. Limousines Limousines are available for hire at Madrid’s top hotels and from Autos Chamartín (tel: (91) 405 4599) and Autos Delicias Limousine (tel: (91) 547 4023). The cost is upwards of €211 for eight hours. Driving in the City Due to frequent traffic jams, aggressive drivers and problematic parking, driving in central Madrid is not recommended to tourists. Those who ignore this advice should make use of centrally located car parks (Plaza Santa Ana, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Oriente), costing €1.40 per hour, or the ORA (Operación Regulación Aparcamiento) pay-and-display parking system – cards are valid for a maximum of two hours, cost €18 and are available for purchase at estancos (tobacconists). Illegally parked cars may be towed away. Impounded cars should be recovered as soon as possible as the fines rise every hour (tel: (91) 345 0666). Car Hire Cars can be hired by drivers aged 21 years and above, on presentation of a passport and valid driving licence (held for at least one year). A valid international insurance policy is also necessary and full insurance is advised. Providers include Avis, Calle Agustin de Foxa 32 (tel: (90) 213 5531; website: www.avis.es), Europcar, Atocha Station (tel: (91) 530 0194; website: www.europcar.es) and local company Alcar SL, Paseo de la Castellana 121(tel: (91) 555 1010; website: www.serinves.es/empresas/tropicar). Rates start at approximately €49 for two days of car hire. Bicycle & Scooter Hire There is no better way for one to get around Madrid than by bombing along on a moped, thus avoiding the parking problems that car drivers often suffer. Motoalquiler, Calle Conde Duque 13 (tel: (91) 542 0657), offers a choice of vehicles, with prices ranging from approximately €40 to around €100 per day. Bicycles are best reserved for trips out of town. Karacol Sport, Calle Tortosa 8 (tel: (91) 539 9633), hires out mountain bikes (€12 per bike – a €30 returnable deposit is required) and organises excursions into the surrounding countryside. |
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