Madrid Card Discontinued

Not going to be me the one defending RS - Laura can do that :) - but I shall say keeping a book where thousands of references and data bits are contained up to date, is indeed a big challenge. I should know, I've written a couple of books myself on my spare time.

In any case, re:Madrid, there is plenty of information online that hint on how and when to visit things on the cheap, or for free, for example:

• http://madrid.patiesos.es/2013/08/como-y-cuando-visitar-gratis-los-museos.html
• https://www.esmadrid.com/madrid-economico
• http://turismomadrid.es/es/destacado/10923-seis-visitas-guiadas-gratuitas.html
• http://www.guialowcost.es/%C2%BFque-hacer-gratis-en-madrid-10-actividades-gratis/

Many of us rely on the information contained within these publications
as we planned our daily schedules. This year we even found that many
of the prices were out of date.

Chopper, a lot can change after a guidebook goes to press: information in a latest edition is largely compiled and printed over the previous year. No guidebook at all can be completely relied upon to be 100% accurate for things like hours, entry fees, security protocols, etc. Restaurants and hotels? Those can close or change management/quality in a hurry. A book's usefulness is the info that doesn't change much, like maps, suggesting walking routes, historical background, instructional "how to's", and that sort of thing.

Some guidebooks don't even print entry fees (e.g. Eyewitness Guides) as those can change so often and so quickly: they'll merely indicate that a entry fee is required.

It's always best to pull up an attraction's official website - which some books publish - or city's tourism website shortly before the trip to check for changes to prices, hours, closures for special events or renovations, coverage details (passes) etc. Also, you can report any needed guide updates to the RS staff and they'll post it here on the site: Here are some known changes for the Spain guides and the update form:

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/spain/guidebook-updates

https://www.ricksteves.com/forms/guidebook-feedback-form

Madrid's official tourism site doesn't list the "Madrid Card" as being available for purchase, the card has no website (good indication that it's toast), and may have been discontinued late last year versus the "over a year ago" that the TI attendant told you.

https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-passes

How many details are in each book Rick publishes? Of those, how many are carved in stone or could change after they were gathered for publication?

Thank you all for your responses. I don't mean to to ruffle any feathers and I don't mean to insinuate that all price information should be completely up to date. With that said, these are annual publications and as a frequent traveler to Europe (my fifth trip in six years) I have come to trust Rick's books and recommendations as I always stop in the store as part of my preparation and study the books intently. . As such, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect the 2017 annual to have reasonably current information; particularly about time and money-saving pass recommendations in major cities that are designed to aid our planning, which is part of what Rick preaches (e.g. Avoid wasting time standing in line).

I will continue to use his books and videos for guidance. It should be noted that many of us rely on this information and expect annual publications to contain current information.

Golden rule: never trust any guide blindly :)

Chopper - I was planning on buying Madrid Cards for our upcoming trip, but when I tried to check the price and details online, it was clear that it was no longer available. Since we are planning to visit the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofia museums, the Paseo del Arte ticket will work for us.

https://www.musement.com/us/madrid/paseo-del-arte-three-museum-pass-for-the-prado-thyssen-bornemisza-and-reina-sofia-2452/

The text of the upcoming RS Spain 2018 went to the printer in early May, to hit stores in September, and timing would likely have been similar last year. I don't know when exactly the Madrid Card was discontinued. But based on your feedback, I have reminded the web department that this detail did not get posted to the Guidebook Updates page. I hope that your stop at the TI didn't waste too much time.

It should be noted that many of us rely on this information and expect
annual publications to contain current information.

Chopper, no feathers ruffled here but it's really helpful to use the websites of the places you want to see and/or passes you want to purchase for the most CURRENT information. It's just not possible for guidebooks to be 100% up to date even if they're the latest publication: the process from research>editing>print is just too long, and changes can happen long after the presses have run and the books shipped (I spent my career in creative/print).

We check into the websites shortly before the trip, make notes of any changes to entry fees, hours, closures, pass changes, etc, and even then temporary closures for special events or what-have-you have thrown the occasional wrench in the machinery. It happens.

My going-in assumption is that all entry fees will be a bit higher than the ones listed in my guide book. I basically use the printed information as an indication of whether the fee is around 5€, 10€, 15€, etc. A bigger issue for me is the relocation of a tourist office. That can be a real time-waster, but shame on me for not double-checking on line.

I saw an article on sfgate.com, purportedly by Rick Steves, that was published on 9/22/20017. The article mentions the Madrid Card as a way to avoid the high-season lines at the Palace and the Prado.

http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Rick-Steves-The-inside-line-on-skipping-past-the-12215313.php

We did notice that prices for venues had changed from the guidebook, but we figured it is hard to keep that info updated. We just figure prices probably increase a little bit each year.