On New Year’s Eve, Madrid is preparing for an influx of residents and visitors who plan to celebrate the arrival of 2026 on the city’s streets. Authorities have announced major changes to public transport operations in advance to ensure safety and smooth movement during one of the busiest nights of the year. Thousands are expected to gather in the city center, especially at Puerta del Sol, where the main festivities traditionally take place.
During this period, the regular schedules for the metro, EMT buses, Cercanías commuter trains, as well as taxis and BiciMAD city bikes, will be adjusted. Changes will affect both timetables and routes, as well as access to certain stations and stops. Drivers and passengers are advised to familiarize themselves with the new rules in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises on the festive night.
Metro: increased service and restrictions
Throughout the entire New Year campaign, from late November until the first days of January, extra trains will run on the busiest metro lines—1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10. This surge will be most noticeable on December 31: in the evening, the number of trains will increase by up to 60% compared to a typical weekday. This measure will help manage the flow of passengers heading to the festivities or returning home after midnight.
Despite increased service, some stations will be temporarily closed for entry and exit. For example, Sol station will be closed to passengers from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on specific dates in December and January to prevent overcrowding and ensure safety. During this time, trains will pass through the station without stopping, but transfers between lines will still be possible. Additionally, on Line 5, trains will not stop at Gran Vía station—this is part of a special plan to manage passenger flow in the city center.
EMT buses: schedules and night routes
City EMT buses will also operate on a special schedule. On New Year’s Eve, daytime routes will finish earlier than usual—between 9:30 pm and 9:45 pm, depending on the direction. After that, starting at 10:30 pm, night buses will run throughout the night to connect neighborhoods with the city center.
On New Year’s morning, January 1, bus service will resume between 7:15 am and 8:45 am, depending on the route. For passenger convenience, from late November to January 7, 23 lines connecting central streets with residential districts will be reinforced. Special attention has been given to routes serving major holiday locations. The express line to the airport will complete daytime service on December 31 at 9:45 pm from Atocha (Atocha Renfe) and 9:30 pm from terminal T4, with night buses starting at 10:30 pm. On the first day of the year, the first trips will depart at 7:40 am.
Cercanías, taxis and BiciMAD
Cercanías commuter trains will also run on an enhanced schedule, especially on routes leading to key transport hubs such as Sol, Nuevos Ministerios, Atocha, and Recoletos stations. However, as with the metro, Sol station will be closed to passengers during certain hours to prevent overcrowding.
Taxis in Madrid will be available around the clock on New Year’s Eve. Drivers are allowed to travel even on streets with restricted access to ensure maximum city coverage. The entire taxi fleet will operate without any limitations, including on holidays and weekends, from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. the following day. This will help prevent a shortage of cars during peak demand hours.
The BiciMAD city bike system will temporarily close several central stations from November 22 to January 6. This measure is intended to avoid interfering with pedestrian traffic and to prevent crowding at popular gathering spots. Users are advised to check available stations on the official map and plan alternative routes in advance.
Trip Planning
Madrid authorities and the regional transport consortium are urging residents and visitors to carefully plan their routes in advance and closely follow schedule updates. On New Year’s Eve, public transportation is the most reliable way to get around, especially given restrictions on private vehicles and central street closures. Those planning to ring in the New Year in the city center should keep in mind that certain stations and stops may be closed, and changes to bus and train services are possible.
Overall, New Year’s Eve in Madrid promises to be lively and vibrant, and special transport operations will help avoid traffic jams and make the celebration as comfortable as possible for everyone.
