Car
If you are coming from the north, approaching Madrid via the A1/E5, you should follow the signs to »Plaza Castilla«. After leaving the motorway you will be right on the Paseo de la Castellana, a road which knows to impress with its size of between eight and twelve lanes being the grand boulevard of Madrid. Follow the road until reach the Plaza de la Cibeles, with its famous fountain, on the edge of the city centre. If you take the first exit of the roundabout you are on Madrid's most famous street Gran Vía.
For tourists it is not exactly easy to orient yourself in the Madrid traffic, in some situations you might get the impression of being in a car race in which only the strongest wins. As Madrid is very densely populated and the roads in the city are often quite small and narrow, there are always traffic jams. At green lights one should be as careful as possible and not rely on your right of way. Many Spaniards and even taxis have a habit driving too fast through the intersection when the traffic light has already changed from moving already when the pedestrian crossing is still flashing green.
Parking in Madrid can also be extremely difficult up to almost impossible. The few parking slots are often taken and also in the central car parks the parking spaces are often occupied. If you stay in a hotel, it is appropriate when you book a hotel with parking space. Otherwise you should stick to the colourful markings of the parking spaces on the streets. Green spaces are designated for residents and public spaces are marked in blue.
Car parks open 24 hours (Selection)
Calle Fuencarral
- Opening hours
Monday to Sunday 24h - Equipment / Service
Monthly ticket accepted (Bono Red) - PLACES
109 (residents) - 304 (public)
Jacinto Benavente
- Opening hours
Monday to Sunday 24h - PLACES
285
Plaza de España
- Opening hours
Monday to Sunday 24h - Equipment / Service
Access for disabled, monthly ticket accepted (Bono Red) - PLACES
826
Plaza Mayor
- Opening hours
Monday to Sunday 24h - Equipment / Service
Automatic ramp for disabled (C/ Arco del Triunfo) monthly ticket accepted (Bono Red) - PLACES
690
Plaza de Santa Ana
- Opening hours
Monday to Sunday 24h - Equipment / Service
Access for disabled, monthly pass accepted (Bono Red) - PLACES
326
The public car parks are marked with a white »P« on a blue background.
The tariffs in the public parking garages are standard and are set by the city.
0 to 30 minutes | 0,0376 € / Minute |
31 to 90 minutes | 0,0339 € / Minute |
1,5 to 11 hours | 0,0452 € / Minute |
11 to maximum 24 hours | 28,90€ |
The coverage of petrol stations in Madrid is not as high as one would probably expect from other European cities. Therefore, it is helpful to know where to find petrol stations which are open 24 hours a day.
Repsol
- Gare de Átocha
- Avenida de América (C/María de Molina, 21)
- Salamanca (C/Goya, 24)
Hired car
If you only want to rent a car locally you find reputable car rental companies like Avis, Hertz, Sixt or Europcar at the Átocha RENFE station (Metro Átocha RENFE). The counters are located close to each other which allow you to carry out a quick price comparison.
But even at the Barajas airport or the train station Chamartín it is possible to rent a car. You may also ask for other local car hire companies the tourist information or at your hotel.
Car hire & phone:
Avis: Phone (+34) 902 11 02 91
Europcar: Phone (+34) 902 50 48 80
Hertz: Phone (+34) 902 02 39 32
Sixt: Phone (+34) 902 491 616