16 budget-friendly ways to experience Madrid

Madrid is a standout among European capitals, offering a welcoming and cost-effective experience for travelers on a budget. With its central accommodations, delicious wine and tapas, and world-class art museums, you can immerse yourself in the culture of the Spanish capital without breaking the bank.

With smart spending, you can explore all of Madrid’s diverse attractions while maintaining quality. Discover our best tips to maximize your travel budget.

Daily expenses in Madrid

• Hostel bed: €29 to €40 per night in a mixed dorm, varying by location and season

• Basic double room: €36 to €45 per night in a budget hotel or boutique hostel

• Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): €60 to €150 per night

• Single public transport ticket: €1.50

• Combined Metrobús ticket for 10 rides: €6.10

• Coffee (café con leche or standard coffee with milk): €1.50 to €2.50

• Sandwich: €3 to €5

• Dinner for two: average three-course meal per person at a mid-range restaurant, €25 to €35

• Beer: around €2.50 for a caña (small glass, about 250ml) on tap; €4 for a doble (about 400ml)

• Glass of Spanish house wine: €2.50 to €0

Typical daily expense: €70 to €120 per person, covering three meals, lodging, and activities.

1. Use the metro or bus to travel from the airport to the city center

Rather than taking a taxi with a set fare of €30, you can save significantly by purchasing a Suplemento Aeropuerto ticket for just €3. Board the metro (Line 8) for a direct ride to the city’s business district, stopping at the Nuevos Ministerios station, which connects to various neighborhoods. Alternatively, you can take an airport bus that operates around the clock for €5.

2. Use public transportation

Madrid boasts a commuter-friendly environment with its well-organized multi-modal public transport system, which includes a reliable metro and bus network. By opting for public transport over taxis, you can save significantly with a Metrobús ticket that offers 10 rides on metro or bus for just €6.10.

3. Catch the early morning Avlo train for long-distance journeys

Good news for early risers: save up to 70% on long-distance train tickets by choosing the high-speed, budget-friendly Avlo. This is the first train leaving Madrid at 6:30am, connecting you to major Spanish cities like Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, and Sevilla for just €7.

4. Use BlaBlaCar for car-sharing options

Favored by locals, this budget-friendly and eco-friendly car-share service allows you to travel across Spain without the burden of high fuel costs. Visit the website for a schedule of rides, including driver ratings, pick-up locations, and prices. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to practice your Spanish with locals!

5. Explore the city on a Bicimad bike

Bicimad offers over 7,000 electric bikes available at more than 600 charging stations throughout Madrid, with prices starting at €2 for the first hour. To begin using the bikes, download the app to register.

6. Opt for the menú del día (daily menu) at lunchtime

During weekdays, take a look at the chalkboards outside most eateries for their menú del día, which offers a set-price menu costing between €8 and €17 for a three-course meal including dessert, beverages, bread, and coffee.

7. Savor complimentary tapas with every drink you order

In Madrid's bars and restaurants, it’s common to receive a free plate of tapas with each drink. However, some places, like El Tigre, are especially generous with their portions. The popular 100 Montaditos is a student favorite, open all day and offering a wide variety of delicious sandwiches for just €1 each.

8. Explore the mercados (markets)

Forget the supermarket; head straight to one of Madrid's vibrant open-air markets, where you'll find a colorful array of stalls offering fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish at much lower prices than large grocery stores. Among the stalls, you'll discover charming restaurants, cafés, and wineries that provide excellent culinary options at reasonable prices. For an authentic experience, visit Mercado Antón Martín and Mercado de Vallehermoso.

9. Avoid dining at Plaza Mayor and Sol

Although these iconic spots are essential stops for anyone visiting Madrid, be aware that many restaurants in these bustling tourist areas tend to have inflated prices on their menus.

10. Skip outdoor dining on a terraza and opt to eat inside

While enjoying a meal on one of Madrid's many lovely open-air terraces is part of the city's charm, many places add a surcharge for outdoor seating. You can save some euros (which could be better spent on a nice glass of rioja, for example) by choosing to dine indoors instead.

11. Save on delivery and minimize food waste with Too Good to Go

Similar to any other delivery app, this platform allows you to find nearby restaurants, shops, bars, fruit stands, and bakeries offering unsold food or produce at significant discounts—sometimes as much as 70% off the regular price—with specific pickup times. You’ll save money while also helping the environment.

12. Ensure you’re not being charged extra for bread

Many restaurants will offer you bread to accompany your meal. If it’s not included in the menú del día, you might incur an additional charge, so it’s wise to confirm with the servers whether there’s a cost for it.

13. Explore Madrid's “Golden Triangle” museums for free

You can take advantage of free-entry hours at Madrid's renowned art museums. The Museo del Prado offers free admission Monday to Saturday from 6pm to 8pm, and on Sundays and public holidays from 5pm to 7pm. The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza allows free entry on Mondays from 12pm to 4pm, while the Reina Sofia is free on weekdays (excluding Tuesdays) from 7pm to 9pm, and on Sundays and select public holidays from 12:30pm to 4:30pm.

14. Present your student or senior citizen ID

Students and individuals over 65 can access discounted or free fares on public transport and various attractions.

15. Discover more budget-friendly neighborhoods

Some of Madrid's most captivating barrios (neighborhoods) are located just outside the city center, offering plenty of dining and drinking options that are easy on the wallet. Lavapiés is a vibrant enclave known for its multicultural culinary delights, featuring streets filled with restaurants and cafés offering affordable menus from South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

16. Visit Matadero for exciting events

This converted slaughterhouse has become a lively cultural center brimming with free exhibitions, film screenings, dance and music performances, shows, and street food festivals. It’s an economical way to engage with Madrid's cutting-edge cultural scene, away from the usual tourist spots.