Will be in Madrid for 9 days and wondered if anyone is familiar with the pass regime for the Madrid Metro. Will be mostly in zone 1 for daily travel. The website isn't clear about their requirements for senior eligibility, i.e. must be or not be a Spanish citizen for the senior pass. At 71y.o. I guess I qualify for age but I'm a U.S. citizen. Which is more cost effective for daily use, the tourist pass or senior pass? Do I have a choice?
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8058 posts
First the senior pass, while the site does not explicitly state that you must be a resident, the process makes it unlikely that a visitor would go to the trouble of obtaining one. The option is loaded onto a transit card, for which there is a process (Must apply in person at an office.....) for a nine day stay, not worth the hassle.
As for other options, it depends where you are staying. Central Madrid is very walkable, when we were there, we used the metro only a few times for tourism. Mostly we walked. The 10 trip ticket worked fine for us, the tourist card is OK if you plan on using the Metro or buses 5-6 times a day.
Posted by
Chicago
8554 posts
Can't remember what we did about transit, but do note that Spain unlike most of the rest of Europe does afford senior admissions to any senior. The savings for entry to museums, churches and such are substantial. I vaguely remember getting a transit card that had a specific number of rides and was for seniors -- but it is possible I remember it from another town in Spain.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15786 posts
Yes, ask for the senior discount at every sight you visit. Most give a discount. You may be asked for your passport - they just want to verify the age, your driver's license is sufficient.
The Naval Museum, about half-way between the Prado and the Thyssen, is very interesting. You must bring your passport with you to enter.