Madrid Free Bus Guide 2026: Route 001 Map & Tips

Route Map and Major Tourist Spots

Believe it or not, you can travel around downtown Madrid by bus completely for free!

Of course, not every bus is free.

But if you hop on specific routes, you won't pay a dime,

and they conveniently connect some of the city's best attractions.

Let's dive into all the details you need to know for your 2026 trip!

1. Madrid's Free City Buses (Línea Cero)

While Madrid is a highly walkable city, sometimes you just need to rest your feet. That's where the city's public transit comes in handy.

The best part? You can travel between major tourist hubs completely free of charge!

Look for the "Línea Cero" (Zero Line) buses, like the one in the photo above.

There are two free routes—Line 001 and Line 002—but Line 001 is by far the most useful for visitors.

So, let's focus on Line 001.

Line 001 runs between Atocha Station and Moncloa. It starts operating from both terminals at 7:00 AM daily.

The last bus leaves Moncloa at 11:30 PM and Atocha Station at 11:00 PM.

Here is the full list of stops:

Personally, I always recommend booking accommodations near Atocha Station when visiting Madrid.

If your hotel is in that area, this bus route is an absolute game-changer.

It connects essential sights like the Prado Museum, Plaza de Cibeles, and Gran Vía, meaning it covers almost everywhere you'd want to go.

While it doesn't drop you right in front of Puerta del Sol or Plaza Mayor, you can easily hop off at Gran Vía and enjoy a scenic, short stroll to these iconic squares.

Let's look at it on a map to make things easier:

Stop Name (Towards Moncloa / Atocha)	Nearby Attractions	Notes
Estación de Atocha (5710)	Reina Sofia Museum	Atocha Station, Bus Terminus
Museo del Prado-Jardín Botánico (5511 / 79)	Prado Museum, Royal Botanical Garden
Neptuno(78 / 77)	Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Gran Vía-Montera(4094 / 724)	Gran Vía, Puerta del Sol	6-min walk to Puerta del Sol
Gran Vía-Callao(9 / 723)	Heart of Gran Vía

Puerta del Sol is just a 6-minute walk from the Gran Vía-Montera stop, and from there, it's only another 7 minutes to Plaza Mayor.

Everything is so close together that a leisurely half-mile stroll will get you there in no time.

Even the Royal Palace of Madrid, the city's crown jewel, is just a 7-minute walk from Plaza Mayor.

Because Madrid's core attractions are tightly clustered, getting yourself to Gran Vía via the free bus makes exploring the rest of the center incredibly easy.

Plus, Gran Vía is shopping heaven, so you can easily pop into a few stores as you walk to your next destination!

2. How to Ride the Free Bus

Stop 82 was closest to my hotel, so I hopped on there. If you see the 001 route listed on the bus shelter, you're in the right place. The buses run quite frequently.

When you board, you MUST tell the driver how many people are in your group (they track passenger numbers).

Just say "Una" (one), "Dos" (two), or "Tres" (three) based on your party size, and the driver will print a small ticket that looks like a receipt.

*Note: Locals with transit passes just tap their cards, but since you likely don't have a monthly pass, you need to ask the driver for the free ticket.

Inside, the buses are equipped with electronic displays showing upcoming stops in large text, so you'll know exactly when to press the bell to get off.

I was also pleasantly surprised to find USB ports on board, so you can top up your phone battery while you ride!

Here's a shot of the 001 bus I took heading back to my hotel from Gran Vía.

Unexpectedly, the electronic display was turned off on this trip!

If that happens, don't panic. Just open Google Maps, track your GPS location, and listen closely to the automated voice announcements.

3. Important Rules & Luggage Restrictions

While the free bus is incredibly convenient, there is one major catch for tourists: luggage.

You can bring a suitcase on board, but generally only if the bus isn't crowded.

Official guidelines state that bringing large suitcases (anything bigger than a standard carry-on) is technically not permitted. If you have massive checked bags, you'll need to use the metro or a taxi instead.

(The airport express bus is the only exception to this rule).

While a friendly driver might let you on if the bus is completely empty, it's best not to risk it since official policy advises against it.

(The official phrasing is a bit ambiguous, but better safe than sorry!)

Standard carry-on sizes are usually fine. If you're traveling with a large backpack, make sure to take it off your back and hold it by your feet.

Since I stayed right near Atocha Station, I didn't need to haul my luggage around on the bus. But if your hotel is further into the city center, plan to take a taxi or the metro for your arrival and departure days.