Madrid runs on its public transport, and honestly, the sheer number of options can throw you a bit at first. Crossing the whole city, or just poking around some neighbourhood the guidebooks skip? Either way, the network has you covered. Here's a rundown of the ways I've found to get around.

So what's getting around Madrid actually like?

Efficient, and easy on the wallet. That's the short version. You've got buses, the metro, and commuter trains, plus bike-sharing schemes if you'd rather pedal your way across town.

Getting to grips with it

It doesn't take long to figure out. The Metro, buses and trams are all kept in good nick and turn up often enough that you're rarely stuck waiting. Fares won't sting you, and kids pay less again. Most buses have Wi-Fi, so you can stay online while you ride.

When's the best time to travel?

You can hop on at pretty much any hour. That said, if you can manage it, mornings or the late afternoon tend to be the sweet spot, when the carriages aren't packed.

What will it cost you?

There's no single number I can give you here, because it depends on how far you're going, the time of day, and which route you pick. As a rough starting point, though: a single ticket on the Madrid metro runs €1.20. Buses come in at €0.60 a ticket, and trams are cheapest of all at €0.40.

Madrid's Public Transport System

Madrid has one of the biggest transport networks in Europe. For a city of nearly three million, that translates into more than 400 bus lines, 92 metro lines, and over 100 tram lines.

Two private firms run the metro and buses: Metro de Madrid, which holds a monopoly on line 1, and AVE, which has the same on line 6. The tram lines are the city government's patch.

You can grab tickets at any station or kiosk, or online at www.mcu.es or www.pucm.es. Singles cost €1.50 for adults and €0.80 for kids aged six to 18, and here's the handy part: one ticket works across the lot, metro, buses, trams and trains, anywhere inside the city limits, suburban townships included. Monthly and weekly passes are on offer as well.

If you're new to the currency, the prices come written in euros alongside Spanish pesetas (€1 = €0.81; €6 = €3.59). One thing to keep an eye on: fares tick up on weekends and holidays. Metro stations shut at midnight on weekdays and at 2 a.m.

Actually using the network

If you'd rather not deal with a car in Madrid, public transport is the obvious call. It reaches right across the city, with a decent spread of buses and trains pitched at different needs and budgets. A few pointers I'd pass on:

-For the route map, head to the Madrid Transport Consortium site (www.mtm.madrid.org). It lists every route and timetable, and there's journey-planner software on there so you can sort out your trip before you set off.

-Tickets are available online or from the machines you'll find near most bus stops and railway stations. Fares run from €1.50 to €4.50 a ride, with discounts for children and for anyone travelling on consecutive days.

-Worth knowing: some lines run round the clock, while others only operate during weekday rush hours (7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm). Out late? Madrid's night buses are your friend.

Madrid's MRT Line

The transport here is efficient and well put together. There's a metro system, the Métropolitano, that cuts through the centre with eight stations, running daily from 5:00am to midnight. Buy tickets at the machines by the entrances, or from the ticket offices near the exits. A single costs 3 euros and a 7-day pass is 10 euros, and those metro tickets carry over to buses, trams and commuter trains too.

Then there's the MRT Line, the rapid-transit run between the airport and downtown Madrid. It opened back in 2013 and has been shuttling residents and tourists quickly ever since. Thirteen stations in total, including two terminals, Las Rozas and Atocha, linked by a shuttle bus. Sixteen cars run the line, riding on rubber tyres and hitting up to 80 kilometres per hour. You can pick up tickets online or at the offices in each station, and like the metro, it runs 5:00am to midnight daily.

Metro Bus Lines in Madrid

Between them, the metro and bus network cover most of Madrid. The metro is the quicker option, with several lines threading through the middle of town. Buses cost less, but be warned, they can be a bit hit-and-miss depending on which part of the city you're in.

Metro:

The Metro reaches across most of central Madrid and it's laid out sensibly. Twelve lines, each with its own number and letter. Platforms sit at street level, and trains come every 3 minutes at peak times, every 5 off-peak. A single runs €1.50 for adults, €0.80 for children aged 6 to 11.

Buses:

Buses undercut the metro on price, though again, reliability shifts depending on where you find yourself. There are over 100 lines crisscrossing Madrid, each with its own route and schedule. Tickets are €1.25 for adults and €0.75 for children aged 6 to 11.

Getting around cheaply and fast

Madrid rewards walking, it really does. But when you want speed without spending much, public transport wins out. The Metro and buses are cheap and quick, and you're never short of ways across town. Four tips I'd swear by:

1. Get the Metro map into your head. The system is simple enough, but there's a lot of stations and routes packed in. Learn it well and you'll waste far less time backtracking.

2. Ride off-peak. Rush hour is a crush; the afternoon and evening trains are far emptier. Travel then and you'll save yourself the cost of a taxi or the hassle of driving.

3. Try the online ticketing services. If you're around for more than a day or two, something like Navigo or Transferencia24/7 is worth it. You buy your tickets before you even leave home, so there's no scrambling for a booth or fretting about your stop when the moment comes.

Fare Changes and Discounts

Public transport is how a huge share of Madrid gets around. Loads of bus and metro lines run across the city, and the price of a single ride shifts with the time of day and the route you take. The good news is there are often reduced fares going for students, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Take the Metro: a regular adult fare can sit anywhere from 3 to 6 euros, but those discounts crop up regularly. A student, for instance, pays 2 euros in the daytime and 1 euro after 11pm. Seniors pay 1.50 euros by day and 0.70 euros after 11pm. And for people with disabilities it drops to 0.50 euros during the day and 0.25 euros after 11pm.

Weekly and monthly passes come discounted too. A monthly pass is 19 euros for adults and 9 euros for children or seniors, and you can often shave a bit off if you buy ahead of time.

On top of the cheaper fares, Madrid has a number of bus lanes that let buses

Wrapping up

Public transport in Madrid can feel like a headache when it's all new. Stick with it, do a little homework, and before long you'll be getting about with no bother. A few things that made my life easier:
1) Work out ahead of time which lines suit you best. Using the MOMENTO app or the website, you can see which bus lines stop near wherever you're headed. Miss the first bus and odds are the next one drops you at the same spot anyway.
2) During rush hour (7am to 10am) I'd steer clear of buses and take the metro or commuter trains instead, they're a lot more efficient at those times.
3) And don't overlook Madrid's bike rental scheme. Cycling through the centre works out cheaper than the fare, and you're doing the city's air a small favour into the bargain.