eSIM for Madrid
A Spain eSIM is what you need in Madrid, and it works on day trips to Toledo, Segovia and the rest of the country too. A typical stay is three days, so a plan of a week covers it easily. Install it at home on Wi-Fi, then activate it when you land at Barajas.
Plans for Spain cover the whole country, including Madrid.
For a 3-day visit
How much data for 3 days in Madrid
- Light (maps and messages): about 1 GB
- Normal (plus social media and browsing): about 2 GB
- Heavy (video and video calls): about 4.5 GB
An estimate from typical use, not a measurement.
Arriving in Madrid
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas airport is northeast of the city and has four terminals, T1 to T4. Metro line 8 stops at the terminals and ends at Nuevos Ministerios, where you change for other lines. The Cercanias C1 commuter train serves T4, and an express airport bus runs to Atocha station. Atocha is the hub for high-speed trains to Barcelona, Seville and Valencia, and Chamartin-Clara Campoamor serves the north.
Having data when you arrive means you can see which line is quickest from your terminal, re-check the address of your hotel and use a taxi app if you prefer a car. The eSIM must be installed beforehand with a QR code, which needs a Wi-Fi connection. After landing, choose it as the line for mobile data and allow data roaming on that line.
Getting around
Madrid has a large Metro network with numbered, colour-coded lines, plus the EMT city buses and the Cercanias commuter trains. The Consorcio Regional de Transportes sets the regional ticketing, and Metro de Madrid and EMT Madrid each publish an official app. The rechargeable Tarjeta Multi card is the standard way to pay on the Metro, and it is sold at station machines.
Taxis are plentiful, and apps like FREE NOW and Cabify connect you to a car, with Uber also in the city. BiciMAD is the electric bike share, with stations around the centre and a phone app to release the bikes. Madrid is mostly easy to walk between the main sights, and a map with live transit times fills the gaps for longer distances.
Where you'll use data
The central district is where most visitors spend their time: the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen museums along the Paseo del Prado, the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. El Retiro park is a popular break from the museums, while Malasana, Chueca and La Latina are where many people head for tapas in the evening. Offline maps are a good backup when you wander the older streets.
Day trips stay in Spain, so the plan keeps working: Toledo, Segovia with its aqueduct, Avila, El Escorial, Aranjuez and Alcala de Henares are all reachable by train or bus. If you extend the trip into Portugal, such as a journey to Lisbon, that is another country and the Spain plan does not cover it there. A Europe plan can cover several countries, yet its country list should be checked on our Europe page, because regional plans can leave countries out.
For a longer stay
Common questions
- Will the eSIM work right away at Barajas?
- Yes, as long as you installed it before travelling. Turn on the eSIM line and data roaming for it. If it does not connect, switch airplane mode on and off.
- How much data do I need for three days in Madrid?
- About 2 GB for normal use: maps, transit apps, messaging and photos. Streaming or long video calls could take it to around 4.5 GB. The plan list on this page includes an estimate for each plan.
- Can I pay for the Metro with my phone?
- Most visitors use the rechargeable card from station machines. Check the Metro de Madrid website for any phone or contactless option before you go. The gate does not use your data plan.
- Does a Spain eSIM include a phone number?
- No. The plans are data only. Calls and messages work through apps such as WhatsApp. Keep your home SIM on for text-message codes, with data switched off on it.
- Is Toledo or Segovia covered if I go for the day?
- Yes. Both are in Spain, so the Spain plan covers them. Crossing into Portugal is a different country and is not covered.