Last reviewed: · Prices in Euros (€) are approximate and for orientation only.
Madrid: Tarjeta Multi + 10-Ride Metrobús (€6.10) & Airport Supplement
At any Madrid Metro vending machine, buy a red plastic Tarjeta Multi (€2.50 reusable card) and load a 10-ride Metrobús pack (10 Viajes Zona A, currently €6.10 with municipal transit discounts, or €12.20 standard tariff). Crucially, Madrid's Tarjeta Multi is multi-personal: 2, 3, or 4 people traveling together can tap the exact same card one after another at the turnstile. If riding Metro Line 8 to or from Barajas Airport, add the €3 Suplemento Aeropuerto per rider.
Barcelona: Single-Rider T-casual (€12.15) vs Unlimited T-usual (€21.35) vs Hola Barcelona
In Barcelona (Zone 1 covering the entire city), a single paper metro ticket costs €2.55. Instead, buy a T-casual card (€12.15 for 10 integrated metro/bus/tram/FGC rides, €1.22 per ride) on a €0.50 T-mobilitat cardboard card. Note: unlike Madrid, Barcelona's T-casual is strictly for ONE person (unipersonal) and does NOT cover the L9 Sud airport metro stations (though it DOES work on the R2 Nord airport train from Terminal 2!). Staying 4+ days with 18+ rides? Buy the T-usual 30-day unlimited pass (€21.35—enter your passport number at the machine), which DOES include the L9 Sud airport metro.
Valencia SUMA 10, Bilbao Barik & Seville / Málaga Contactless Cards
In Valencia, pick up a shareable SUMA 10 card (€8.00 for 10 rides Zone A across Metrovalencia and EMT buses). In Bilbao, a €3 Barik card cuts Metro Bilbao and tram fares in half (€0.48–€0.96/ride) and works for groups up to 10. Across Mallorca's TIB buses and urban EMT buses in Madrid, Málaga, and Valencia, you can also tap a contactless Visa/Mastercard directly on board.
Key Takeaways & Local Tips
- Remember the key difference: Madrid's 10-ride Metrobús on Tarjeta Multi CAN be shared by multiple travelers; Barcelona's 10-ride T-casual CANNOT be shared.
- Hold onto your transit card until you exit the station—several suburban Rodalies, Cercanías, and Metro Bilbao stations require tapping out at the exit gates.
- Run your trip numbers in our Madrid Multi & Barcelona T-casual Calculator (/tools/transit-card-calculator/) before buying an expensive tourist pass.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: