Residents and visitors of Madrid will have a unique chance to travel around the city completely free of charge: from Friday, November 28 to Sunday, November 30, all EMT city buses, except for the express route to the airport, will operate without any fare. This initiative is timed to coincide with the Black Friday period and aims to ease road congestion, support central district businesses, and make the city more accessible to everyone.
During these three days, passengers will not need to purchase a ticket—just ask the driver for a free single-use pass if you do not have an active subscription. The measure applies to all EMT routes except for the Exprés Aeropuerto line and has already become a tradition in the capital at the end of November.
Reinforced service and additional buses
Due to the expected surge in passengers, city authorities have planned significant enhancements to the transport network. On Friday, an additional 10 buses will run, on Saturday—20 more, and on Sunday—another 14. Special attention will be given to routes passing through shopping and central districts, where passenger traffic is usually the highest.
Among the routes receiving the most reinforcement are lines 5, 14, 27, 53, 146, as well as express routes E1, E2, and E3. Despite the increase in the number of vehicles, the schedule will remain unchanged, but wait times on the most popular routes will be significantly reduced. This will help eliminate long waits and make trips as comfortable as possible, even during peak hours.
Free Bicimad Bikes: A New Way to Get Around the City Center
As part of the promotion, Madrid’s Bicimad electric bikes will also be available free of charge. For three days, all rides up to 30 minutes will be free for all users, with no need for promo codes or special subscriptions. Residents will have access to more than 600 stations and almost 8,000 bikes, making Bicimad a convenient and eco-friendly way to navigate the city center.
In previous years, similar initiatives led to a sharp increase in the use of public transport and bikes. For example, during last year’s promotion, Bicimad recorded over 130,000 trips in just three days. This approach helps reduce the number of cars on the streets, eases traffic congestion, and makes the urban environment cleaner and more comfortable.
Metro Stays Paid, But Gets Major Boost
Unlike buses and bikes, rides on the Madrid metro will remain paid. However, regional authorities have announced unprecedented service enhancements on key lines: L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L8, L10, L12 and ML1. Starting early Friday, trains on these routes will run at shorter intervals to accommodate the surge in passenger numbers.
On weekends, additional trains will run from 11 a.m. until the metro closes. On these same dates, line 7B will reopen after a long renovation, offering even more options for getting around the city. With these changes, Madrid’s transport system is fully prepared for the busiest weekend of the year, when thousands head out for shopping and entertainment.
Transport initiative: convenience, savings, and a greener city
Free rides on EMT buses and Bicimad bikes not only help residents and visitors save money, but also contribute to a better urban environment. Fewer cars mean less traffic and lower emissions, resulting in cleaner air and a more comfortable city life.
Organizers expect that the initiative will motivate more people to choose public transport or cycling instead of driving. This will help ease congestion in the city center and support local businesses during the traditional shopping season. For many, it’s a great reason to leave the car behind for a few days and experience the benefits of urban mobility.
