Quick answer: Madrid has no genuinely good all-in city card, and it does not need one: its sights are cheap and several are free at set hours. The one pass worth knowing is the Paseo del Arte (€32), which covers the Prado (€15), Reina Sofía (€12) and Thyssen-Bornemisza (€13) — a saving of €8 with a year’s validity — and it makes sense for anyone doing all three. Beyond that, buy the Royal Palace (€14) and Bernabéu tour (~€35+) direct, use the Madrid Tourist Travel Pass only if you will ride the metro heavily, and treat the reseller “Madrid Pass” bundles (€70–130) as convenience products. The real money-saver is timing: the Prado is free 18:00–20:00 Monday–Saturday, the Reina Sofía free on weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons, and the Royal Palace free for EU residents on certain late afternoons.
Madrid Passes at a Glance
| Pass | Price (2026) | Validity | What it covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paseo del Arte | €32 | 12 months, one visit each | Prado + Reina Sofía + Thyssen permanent collections | Anyone doing all three museums |
| Madrid Tourist Travel Pass (Zone A) | ~€10 (1 day) to ~€38 (7 days) approx. | Calendar days | Unlimited metro, bus, Cercanías in Zone A; airport supplement included | Heavy metro users, airport transfers |
| Reseller “Madrid Pass” / “Madrid City Card” bundles | €70–130 | Varies | Royal Palace + Prado/Reina Sofía + hop-on bus, sometimes Bernabéu | Convenience only |
| Go City Madrid (where offered) | Priced by picks | Days | Choice of attractions/tours | Only if picks are pricey tours |
| Individual tickets + free hours | Pay as you go | — | Everything | Most visitors |
Prices are 2026 rates (checked September 2026). Reseller bundles repackage official tickets with a bus; there is no official Madrid card that includes the Royal Palace and the museums together.
Top-Rated Madrid Tours & Skip-the-Line Tickets
What the Main Attractions Cost — and Whether the Pass Covers Them
| Attraction | Adult ticket (2026, approx.) | In the pass? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prado Museum | €15 | Paseo del Arte: yes | Free Mon–Sat 18:00–20:00, Sun 17:00–19:00 (queue) |
| Reina Sofía | €12 | Paseo del Arte: yes | Free Mon/Wed–Sat 19:00–21:00, Sun 12:30–14:30 |
| Thyssen-Bornemisza | €13 | Paseo del Arte: yes | Free Monday 12:00–16:00 (permanent collection) |
| Royal Palace | €14 (+ guide/audio extra) | Bundles only | Free for EU residents late afternoons Mon–Thu (limited) |
| Santiago Bernabéu tour | ~€35+ | Some bundles | Book online; match days vary |
| Retiro Park / Crystal Palace | Free | — | — |
| Temple of Debod | Free | — | Sunset |
| Cercanías to Toledo? (no — AVE) | AVE €14–28 return | No | Toledo: tour vs DIY |
| Metro single / airport supplement | €1.50–2 / +€3 | Tourist Pass: yes | — |
Individual prices are 2026 rates (checked September 2026). Under-18s and EU students under 25 are free at the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen; the Royal Palace has reduced and free categories too.
The Break-Even Maths
| Itinerary | Individual tickets | Pass | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prado + Reina Sofía + Thyssen | €40 | Paseo del Arte €32 | Saves €8 |
| Prado + Reina Sofía only | €27 | €32 | Loses €5 — buy separately or use free hours |
| Prado (free evening) + Reina Sofía (free evening) + Thyssen | €13 | €32 | Free hours win by €19 (if you tolerate queues and 2 hours each) |
| Royal Palace + Prado + hop-on bus | €14 + €15 + ~€25 = €54 | Reseller bundle ~€75–90 | Bundle loses |
| Under-25 EU student | €0 at the big three | — | Never buy |
Madrid rewards planning over passes: the Paseo del Arte saves a modest €8, and the free hours save far more if your schedule allows. Bundles never beat buying direct here.
| Tour | From | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Madrid: Royal Palace Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket | $41 | ★ 4.7 (3,015 reviews) |
| Madrid Old Town & Royal Palace Walking Tour Skip the Line Ticket | $42 | ★ 4.5 (2,262 reviews) |
| Prado Museum Small Group Tour with Skip the Line Ticket | $52 | ★ 4.9 (1,923 reviews) |
| Prado Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket | $52 | ★ 4.6 (1,911 reviews) |
| Royal Palace of Madrid Small Group Skip the Line Ticket | $63 | ★ 4.4 (869 reviews) |
| Royal Palace of Madrid Early Entrance Tour Skip-The-Line Ticket | $35 | ★ 4.3 (765 reviews) |
Who Should Buy It
Art-focused visitors doing all three museums of the Golden Triangle on paid hours (Paseo del Arte). Heavy metro users staying outside the centre or taking the metro to and from the airport (Tourist Travel Pass). People who want one purchase with a bus and accept paying for it (bundles).
Who Should Skip It
Anyone under 25 from the EU (free at the big three) or under 18. Visitors who will use the free evening hours. Walkers staying in the centre — Sol to the Prado is 20 minutes on foot. Visitors doing two museums only.
How to Get the Most Out of It
Buy the Paseo del Arte at the first museum or online and book Prado and Reina Sofía time slots (the card does not skip queues but slots do). If using free hours, arrive 30–45 minutes before the free window at the Prado. Book the Royal Palace online for a morning slot. Combine the Thyssen with a Retiro afternoon. Use the Tourist Travel Pass for the airport metro if you bought it; otherwise a single with supplement is €4.50–5.
Guided Alternatives
Guided Prado and Royal Palace tours (above) are worth more than any pass when time is short — the Prado is enormous. See private vs small-group tours in Madrid and Toledo from Madrid. For passes and tickets in general, see best sites for attraction tickets and timed-entry tickets explained. Everything else Madrid: our Madrid tours hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Madrid city pass worth buying?
The Paseo del Arte (€32 for the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen) saves €8 if you visit all three. Reseller “Madrid Pass” bundles repackage tickets and a bus without real savings.
When is the Prado free?
Monday–Saturday 18:00–20:00 and Sunday 17:00–19:00; expect a queue. Under-18s and EU students under 25 are always free.
Does the Paseo del Arte skip the line?
No, but booking a time slot at each museum does. The card is valid for a year, one visit per museum.
Is the Madrid Tourist Travel Pass worth it?
Only for heavy metro use or airport transfers; central Madrid is very walkable.
How much is the Royal Palace of Madrid?
€14 for adults in 2026, with reduced and free categories; book a morning slot online.
Is the Bernabéu tour included in any pass?
Some reseller bundles include it; buying direct online is usually cheaper.
Kratos Review is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and policies were checked on 28 September 2026 and can change.
Related: Madrid Weekend Itinerary: 48 Hours in Madrid (2026)
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