Chamartín is Madrid’s northern rail terminus, handling long-distance trains to northern Spain and some AVE services, currently undergoing major station redevelopment.

Resources

Adif - Madrid Chamartín

Station Map

Entrance View

Adif - Madrid Chamartín

Station Map

Official luggage storage inside Chamartín station is currently closed due to the ongoing major redevelopment of the station complex. There are other storage options nearby.

The most cost-effective option for visitors is the Tourist Travel Pass (Abono Turístico). It provides unlimited travel on the Metro, blue EMT buses, and Cercanías trains.

Zone A (Madrid City)

Covers all major city landmarks, the airport, and train stations. The €3.00 airport supplement is waived with this pass. Rates are €10.00 (1-day), €17.00 (2-day), €22.50 (3-day), €27.00 (4-day), €32.50 (5-day), and €42.00 (7-day).

Zone T (Full Region)

Covers the entire Madrid region, including all Cercanías lines, regional buses to Aranjuez and El Escorial, and Metro lines to outer zones. Prices range from €15.00 (1-day) to €61.00 (7-day).

Purchase

Buy these at the red ticket machines in any Metro station (Airport or Train Stations). The Multi Card is required; its cost is included in the pass price.

Madrid City Card

The official sightseeing pass from Madrid City Council combines the Zone A Tourist Travel Pass with museum and attraction discounts — at the same price as the standalone pass (€10.00–€32.50 for 1–5 days). Benefits include skip-the-line access at the Reina Sofía and Royal Palace, 10% off the Thyssen-Bornemisza, free admission during the Prado’s last two opening hours, plus discounts at 30+ attractions. Available in 1–5 day options only (not 7-day). Purchase in person at any Tourist Information Office — not at metro machines.

Children’s Fares

Under 4 travel free on the Metro and all EMT buses — no ticket required; simply accompany an adult through the turnstile.

Ages 4–10 receive a 50% discount on the Tourist Travel Pass. The discount applies automatically at Metro ticket machines when purchasing a Tourist Ticket; no special card is needed beyond the standard Multi card.

Metro and Train (Cercanías)

Both Atocha and Chamartín are on Metro Line 1 (Light Blue), which reaches the central Sol station in 10–15 minutes. A single journey costs approximately €1.50–€2.00, plus the card fee.

If you arrived by long-distance AVE or Renfe train, you are entitled to a “Combinado Cercanías” — enter the barcode from your ticket into the red Cercanías machines to get a free onward transfer within the city.

Tickets and Validation

Purchase a Multi Card (reusable) at the red machines located at the entrance of the Metro station. You must validate the card at the turnstile both when entering and exiting.

Airport Express Bus

The 24-hour Exprés Aeropuerto (bright yellow bus, line 203) connects the airport with Cibeles and Atocha in 30–40 minutes for a flat €5.00. Pay with contactless/NFC or small denomination cash directly to the driver (notes over €20 are not accepted).

Train Stations: The Adif Acerca service provides free, personalised assistance for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility at Atocha and Chamartín stations. Staff can guide you through the station and assist with boarding and alighting. Request in advance via email oca.asistenciapmr@adif.es or call 91 774 40 40.

Safety

Madrid’s transport hubs are generally safe, but pickpockets target distracted travellers at busy arrival halls and near ticket machines.

Lost & Found

For items lost in the station or on a long-distance train, use the Adif FindMyLost online tool. For items lost on Cercanías commuter trains, contact the station’s customer service desk directly, as Cercanías is handled separately.

First Aid

There are no dedicated first aid clinics inside Atocha or Chamartín stations. In a medical emergency, alert station staff or security immediately, or dial 112.

Pharmacy

There are no pharmacies directly inside Atocha or Chamartín station platforms, but several pharmacies are located within immediate walking distance of both stations.

Price and Time

Madrid taxis are white with a red diagonal stripe. They use the official ranks located directly outside the terminal and station exits.

From Train Stations: Trips use Tarifa 7, a station minimum fare of €8.00 that covers trips up to 1,450 metres. A typical trip to the city center will cost €12–€15.

Rideshare drivers are strictly prohibited from using the official taxi ranks. You must follow the signs for Transporte por VTC which lead to designated parking garage areas. Cabify is the local leader and often offers more consistent pricing than Uber.

ATMs are plentiful in all terminals and stations. Look for bank-owned machines like CaixaBank or Santander for fairer exchange rates. Avoid generic Euronet machines when possible.

For AVE, Ouigo, or Iryo high-speed trains, arrive 45 minutes before departure. Boarding gates close strictly 2–5 minutes before departure. There is no luggage check-in — proceed directly to the security scanner for your boarding lounge.

Security & Screening

All luggage passes through an X-ray scanner before the high-speed boarding lounge. Unlike airports, you may carry water, wine, and full-sized toiletries through station security. Have your QR code (phone or paper) ready to scan at the security barrier.

Passport Control

Passport control is not required at Atocha or Chamartín — all high-speed rail travel within Spain and between Schengen countries is border-free.

VAT refund services are not available at Atocha or Chamartín. Train stations do not handle customs validation — if you have tax-free purchases, you must reclaim your refund at Madrid-Barajas Airport when leaving Spain.