Useful information
CLIMATE
The average maximum temperature in Madrid In November is 57º F/14ºC, and the average minimum temperature is 43º F/6ºC. Although Madrid climate is quite dry, November can bring some occasional rainfall.
CURRENCY AND BANKS
The national currency of Spain is the European euro (€). Exchange facilities are available at Barajas airport, most banks and also along central streets like Gran Vía. Many visitors to Spain have commented on the advantage of bringing debit cards rather than credit cards, since the exchange rate is generally much better and commissions lower. However, it would be prudent to check this with your bank before travelling.
ELECTRICITY
Spain's standard electricity supply is 220 Volts (V), 50 Hertz (Hz) AC. The plugs are round two pin, European standard.
EMERGENCIES
The number 112 can be dialled to reach emergency services - medical, fire and police - from anywhere in Europe. This Pan-European emergency number 112 can be called from any telephone (landline, pay phone or mobile cellular phone). Calls are free. It can be used for any life-threatening situation, including:
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Serious medical problems (accident, unconscious person, severe injuries, chest pain, seizure)
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Any type of fire (house, car)
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Life-threatening situations (crimes)
SOS 112 Website
Information on the 112 number from the European Commission website
SHOP
Most shops open between 09.30 and 13.30h in the morning and 17.00 to 20.00h in the afternoon on weekdays. During the summer months, many establishments will stay open much later in the evening. On Saturday opening hours are restricted to the morning shift and Sunday is literally the day of rest. However there are some department stores that remain open all day long until 22:00h.
TIME
The time in Madrid is the Central European Time (Summer Time GMT+2)
TIPPING AND TAXES
At almost all restaurants, service is included, but it is common practice to leave a tip or around 5%, as it is with taxi drivers (depending on how you liked the driving!).
Tipping is not obligatory anywhere, but much less in bars or cafeterias. However, if you leave a small tip it shows your appreciation of the service - a good rule of thumb here is 10 to 20 cents per round of drinks. Never leave tips in pubs or discotheques. A tip of 1 euro may be used in many other occasions, such as with hotel porters.
There are two different tax rates in Spain 10% and 21%. You will pay 10% tax on your hotel and restaurant bills, as well as other items considered "essential". This tax is not refundable.
Most physical items purchased in shops will be taxed at the 21% rate.
TOURIST OFFICE
One of the main tourist information offices is the Municipal Office of Tourist Information, which can be found at Plaza Mayor (address: Plaza Mayor, 27). You can reach them on the telephone or fax at: Tel: 91 366 54 77. Fax: 91 588 16 36. If you are planning to see as much as possible on your stay, then this tourist information office should be the first stop on your itinerary.
TRANSPORT
The city of Madrid counts with excellent means of transport. Its underground network has modern trains and stations and links to most destinations reaching even some of the main towns in the surrounding areas of the city. Using the underground will be the best way to get from one part of the city to another. Here is a useful website for planning your transportation in Madrid: www.ctm-madrid.es, you will find schedules for buses, trains and for the subway lines.
Barajas airport
Madrid has three airports, the main one being Madrid-Barajas Airport. In terms of infrastructure, equipment, resources and air traffic, it is the most important air hub in Spain and the fourth in Europe. It is just 13 km away from the city, and access to it by public transportation is one of the quickest and easiest to use in the world: besides bus or taxi, travelers may take the Metro, where every five minutes a train to Madrid-Barajas Airport leaves from Nuevos Ministerios Station in the City Centre at a cost of 4.50 - 5 euros while you will pay only 1.50 - 3 euros for a ticket within the City! In September 2011, the suburban rail network has opened a new service that directly links Principe Pio station to Terminal 4 of Barajas.
In 2013, the airport handled 39,735,618 passengers, 333,056 operations and 346,602 tonnes of cargo. Madrid-Barajas International Airport receives flights from over 180 destinations, including several low cost airlines, and is the main European air hub for Latin America. The inauguration of the new terminal that has set its capacity in 70 million passengers a year took place on 5th of February 2006. The building was designed by Richard Rodgers and Lamela and it has received the Stirling Architecture Award.
Madrid has three airports, the main one being Madrid-Barajas Airport. In terms of infrastructure, equipment, resources and air traffic, it is the most important air hub in Spain and the fourth in Europe. It is just 13 km away from the city, and access to it by public transportation is one of the quickest and easiest to use in the world: besides bus or taxi, travelers may take the Metro, where every five minutes a train to Madrid-Barajas Airport leaves from Nuevos Ministerios Station in the City Centre at a cost of 4.50 - 5 euros while you will pay only 1.50 - 3 euros for a ticket within the City! In September 2011, the suburban rail network has opened a new service that directly links Principe Pio station to Terminal 4 of Barajas.
In 2013, the airport handled 39,735,618 passengers, 333,056 operations and 346,602 tonnes of cargo. Madrid-Barajas International Airport receives flights from over 180 destinations, including several low cost airlines, and is the main European air hub for Latin America. The inauguration of the new terminal that has set its capacity in 70 million passengers a year took place on 5th of February 2006. The building was designed by Richard Rodgers and Lamela and it has received the Stirling Architecture Award.
Metro network
The underground (Metro) is the fastest, most efficient and most affordable way to move around Madrid. The city has a vast metropolitan network, one of the most comprehensive in Europe, and covers almost all the points in the capital and many of the neighboring areas.
Currently, there are twelve metro lines and three Metro Ligero (tramway) lines. Out of all these, Line 8 (Nuevos Ministerios – Airport T4) is particularly noteworthy. This modern line connects the capital to Barajas international airport, arriving in only 12 minutes to the rest of terminals, and to Madrid’s Trade Fair grounds (Ifema).
The underground system covers a total of 383.3 km. The price of a single ticket with a validity of 1 tryp is 1.50 -3 euros, and can be purchased at all Metro stations.
The underground (Metro) is the fastest, most efficient and most affordable way to move around Madrid. The city has a vast metropolitan network, one of the most comprehensive in Europe, and covers almost all the points in the capital and many of the neighboring areas.
Currently, there are twelve metro lines and three Metro Ligero (tramway) lines. Out of all these, Line 8 (Nuevos Ministerios – Airport T4) is particularly noteworthy. This modern line connects the capital to Barajas international airport, arriving in only 12 minutes to the rest of terminals, and to Madrid’s Trade Fair grounds (Ifema).
The underground system covers a total of 383.3 km. The price of a single ticket with a validity of 1 tryp is 1.50 -3 euros, and can be purchased at all Metro stations.
Bus, metro & train networks
Madrid has an extensive city bus network (215 lines), run by the company Empresa Municipal de Transporte (EMT), which covers the whole city. All the vehicles that make up the EMT fleet, 2,022 in total, are air-conditioned.
Madrid’s buses have special facilities for disabled access. The cost for a single ticket with a validity of 1 hour is 1.50 euro.
Madrid’s buses have special facilities for disabled access. The cost for a single ticket with a validity of 1 hour is 1.50 euro.
Taxis service
There are more than 15,000 taxis in Madrid, so it is not usually difficult to find one available in the city’s main thoroughfares. You can order them by phone or through internet. In the streets, just make a sign and they will be keen to stop! Prices are quite reasonable, considering that a one-way trip from the city centre to the airport costs around 20-25 euros.
TOURIST TRAVEL PASS
The Tourist Travel Pass is the most affordable and practical way to get to know Madrid. It can be used on all public transport in the Region as many times as necessary within the valid dates. There are five passes valid for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days. The Tourist Travel Pass can be purchased at:
- All Metro stations
- Metro Passenger Information Office at Barajas Airport (T1-T2-T3 Metro stations)
- Certain tobacco shops and press kiosks
- Municipal Tourist Office (Plaza Mayor 27)
- Regional Tourist Offices (c/ Duque de Medinaceli 2 and at the Atocha Station
- National and International Tour Operators
- Spanish Travel Agencies and hotels in the city
- Internet
Children under 11 years old get a 50 per cent discount.
VISA
This section provides detailed information necessary for foreigners who want to visit Spain.
Invitation letter for visa purposes can be requested at the moment of registration through the registration online form. Such invitation letter will be sent once registration is paid.
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation establishes some requirements for entry into Spain for a stay not exceeding ninety days in any six month period, according to:
- Art. 5 of the Schengen Borders Code
- Art. 25 of the Aliens Act
- Arts. 4 ff. of the Aliens Regulation
These requirements can be summarized as:
- Possess a valid travel document allowing him or her to cross borders.
- Possess a Visa when required.
- Show documents justifying the purpose and conditions of the planned stay and have sufficient means to support themselves, both during the period of their planned stay and for their return to their country of origin or passage to a third State where their admittance is guaranteed, or they must be in conditions such that they can legally obtain such means.
- Not be banned from entering into Spain or any other country in the Schengen Space.
- Not represent a threat to Spain's public order, national security, or international relations, or to those of any other member country of the Schengen Space.
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