Getting Around the North: Metro, Cercanías and the Big Interchanges
The north of Madrid is tied together by two interchanges, Plaza de Castilla and Chamartín. Learn those and most journeys become simple.
Two hubs to know
Plaza de Castilla is where Metro lines 1, 9 and 10 meet, above a large bus interchange for routes heading out of the city to the north. Chamartín, one stop away, is the city's second major railway station. It was built in the 1970s on the northern side of the city and handles long-distance, regional and commuter trains. See Madrid Chamartín station.
Metro Line 10 and the northern suburbs
Line 10 runs from Puerta del Sur in the south-west to Hospital Infanta Sofía in the north, passing under the Cuatro Torres towers. The northern section toward Alcobendas and San Sebastián de los Reyes is operated separately, so passengers change trains at Tres Olivos. Allow a few extra minutes for it.
Cercanías commuter trains
Cercanías is the commuter rail network. Lines from Chamartín reach Alcobendas and San Sebastián de los Reyes, and Colmenar Viejo further north. For longer hops it is often faster than the Metro because stops are further apart.
Tickets
Metro, city buses and Cercanías use rechargeable public transport cards, and fares depend on the zones you cross. Prices and passes change, so check the operators' own sites before you buy a monthly pass.
Practical habits
- Check which exit you need at the big interchanges; the wrong one can add ten minutes on foot.
- Late at night, night buses replace the Metro. Look up the route before you go out.
- On match days near the stadium district, trains are crowded for an hour either side of kick-off.
Reviewed 2026-10-13. Details change; confirm with the bodies named.