Metropolitano away guide

Fly straight into Madrid-Barajas: there are direct flights from both Manchester and London, no hub or detour needed. From the airport it is about 20 minutes by taxi to the ground, or Metro Line 7 to Estadio Metropolitano station. Away fans sit in the top tier of the Fondo Norte (north end), with allocations from around 300 for La Liga games up to 3,000-plus in Europe.

Fast facts

The Metropolitano sits roughly 11 km northeast of the city centre, so it is an out-of-town ground rather than a central one. Address: Avenida de Luis Aragonés, 4, San Blas-Canillejas, 28022 Madrid.

Getting there from the UK

Madrid is the rare away day where no hub-and-train workaround is needed. Both Manchester and London fly direct into Barajas, so the real choice is which airport and whether you go budget or full-service. From the airport it is the same Metro or taxi hop to the ground whichever flight you take. Costs are estimates and swing with dates and how far ahead you book.

Getting there from the airport

Madrid-Barajas is on the northeast side of the city, the same side as the ground, so the transfer is short.

By taxi from Barajas it is about 20 minutes. Madrid airport taxis run a fixed fare into the centre, and the stadium hop is cheaper than that.

By Metro, take Line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios, change to Line 10 to Gregorio Marañón, then change to Line 7 to Estadio Metropolitano, around 55 minutes. The standard fare plus the airport supplement of roughly 3 EUR applies from Barajas stations.

There is also a bus: EMT Line 200 runs from Terminals 1, 2 and 3 to the Canillejas area, from where it is roughly a 25-minute walk to the ground.

Getting there from the city centre

The Metro is the best bet: take Line 7 (orange) directly to Estadio Metropolitano station. From the Sol area you can pick up Line 7 at Canal heading eastbound. Allow about 45 minutes on a matchday. Remember the match ticket does not cover the fare, so buy a Metro ticket or a Multi card before you travel.

A taxi or rideshare from the centre runs around 35 to 40 minutes depending on traffic, with the fare in the region of 20 to 30 EUR.

Nearest metro and walking time

Estadio Metropolitano station on Metro Line 7 sits right beside the ground, only a few hundred metres away and roughly a 5-minute walk to the entrance. It has one of the largest platforms on the network to handle matchday crowds.

If Line 7 is congested, Canillejas on Line 5 is about a 15-minute walk from the ground. Several EMT bus lines also serve the venue, including routes 28, 38, 48, 140 and 153, plus special matchday services.

Where to stay

Most travelling fans base themselves in the centre rather than out by the ground, which is surrounded by ring roads and business parks. The Sol, La Latina and Plaza Santa Ana areas put you among the bars and a straight Metro ride to the stadium. Book near a Line 7 or Line 5 station and the matchday journey is simple.

Inside the stadium and allocation

The away section is in the top tier at the north end, the Fondo Norte, the end furthest from the metro station, commonly sectors 313 to 316 and 413 to 416. Empty seats are kept between the away block and home fans as a segregation buffer.

Allocation is small for domestic La Liga fixtures, a minimum around 300, but European visitors are generally given a much larger section that can exceed 3,000 for big games. Single match tickets often run around 30 EUR, though this varies by fixture and competition.

The stadium opens about 90 minutes before kick-off. Arrive 60 to 90 minutes early to clear entrance queues, as security screening is thorough for derbies against Real Madrid and Champions League nights.

Bag rules are strict. Bags larger than A4, about 30cm x 21cm, are prohibited, so only small handbags, clutches or transparent bags get through. Prohibited items include large backpacks and sports bags, professional cameras with detachable lenses, selfie sticks, flagpoles, flares and smoke devices, and glass containers.

Note on drink inside the ground: only alcohol-free beer is served on matchdays. Stalls and small bars around the exterior serve food and, before the game, alcoholic drinks.

Where to drink

The ground is out of town with limited pub options right beside it, so drink in the centre first, then head out. A caña (small draught) runs about 1.50 to 3 EUR and often comes with a free tapa; a full pint in an Irish bar is nearer 5 EUR.

• The Irish Rover (Avenida de Brasil): big, well-known Irish sports bar with the football on, English spoken, easy for travelling fans.
• James Joyce (Calle de Alcalá): central Irish pub near Retiro, reliable for a pre-match pint and a screen.
• Plaza de Santa Ana bars: a square lined with terraces in the centre, relaxed and used to visitors, good for a session before you head to the Metro.
• La Latina (Cava Baja): Madrid's classic tapas-and-caña street, cheap cañas with free tapas, lively but friendly.
• Lavapiés: south of the centre and markedly cheaper than the tourist zones, a more local crowd.
• Exterior stalls at the ground: small bars around the outside serve beer before kick-off if you want a last one on site.

Nothing to actively avoid on the away-fan front, but keep colours sensible on Metro Line 7 around a Real Madrid derby, and watch your pockets in the crush.

Where to eat

Madrid runs late, so lunch stretches into the afternoon and dinner rarely starts before 21:00. The local dish is cocido madrileño, a chickpea, vegetable and meat stew served in courses; tapas staples are croquetas, tortilla de patatas and bocadillo de calamares (a fried-squid roll, a Madrid classic).

• Casa Julio (Malasaña): world-famous croquettes, cheap, standing-room, order at the bar.
• Taberna de la Daniela: strong tortilla and a full cocido madrileño, a proper sit-down option.
• Malacatín (La Latina): cocido specialist since 1893, book ahead for the full stew.
• La Bola (near Ópera): long-running cocido house cooked the traditional way, good for a proper meal.
• Mercado de San Miguel (by Plaza Mayor): covered market of tapas counters, easy for a graze if the group can't agree.
• Bar around Plaza Mayor for a bocadillo de calamares: the calamari roll is the cheap, quick Madrid staple, best eaten standing with a caña.

What to do

Madrid rewards a day or two either side of the game.

• Museo del Prado: Spain's great gallery, Goya and Velázquez, with free entry 18:00 to 20:00 daily.
• Retiro Park: a UNESCO-listed park with a boating lake and the glass Crystal Palace, five minutes from the Prado.
• Royal Palace (Palacio Real): one of Europe's grandest palaces, state rooms and a big square out front.
• Puerta del Sol: the symbolic centre of Madrid and Spain, Kilómetro Cero and the bear-and-strawberry-tree statue.
• Plaza Mayor: grand arcaded square, a short walk from Sol, ringed with cafés.
• Museo Reina Sofía: modern art including Picasso's Guernica.
• Malasaña and Lavapiés: the city's most characterful barrios for bars, street life and cheaper eating.

Common questions

How do I get from the airport to the stadium?

Madrid-Barajas is on the northeast side, the same side as the ground, so it is close. A taxi takes about 20 minutes. By Metro, take Line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios, Line 10 to Gregorio Marañón, then Line 7 to Estadio Metropolitano, around 55 minutes including the roughly 3 EUR airport supplement.

Which airport do I fly to, and is there a direct flight?

Fly to Madrid-Barajas (MAD). There is no need for a hub: both Manchester and London have direct flights, roughly 2h25 to 2h35, on Iberia, easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and Air Europa depending on the airport. Barajas is the northeast-side airport nearest the ground.

Where do away fans sit at the Metropolitano?

In the top tier at the north end, the Fondo Norte, commonly sectors 313 to 316 and 413 to 416. It is the end furthest from the metro station, with empty seats kept as a buffer between the away block and home supporters.

What is the away allocation?

It varies by competition. Domestic La Liga fixtures carry a minimum of around 300 tickets, the standard Spanish away allocation, while European visitors get a much larger section that can exceed 3,000 for big ties. Single tickets often run around 30 EUR.

What time should I arrive?

The ground opens about 90 minutes before kick-off. Get there 60 to 90 minutes early to clear the queues, as security screening is thorough for Real Madrid derbies and Champions League nights. The Metro handles big crowds well, but Line 7 backs up straight after the final whistle.

Can I drink alcohol inside the stadium?

No. Only alcohol-free beer is served inside on matchdays. If you want a proper drink, use the stalls and small bars around the exterior before the game, or drink in the centre and travel out.

How much is a beer in Madrid?

A caña, the small draught, is about 1.50 to 3 EUR and often comes with a free tapa in the right bar. A full pint, mostly found in Irish pubs, is nearer 5 EUR. Head to Lavapiés or La Latina for better value than the tourist zones.

Is Madrid safe for away fans?

Yes, Madrid is a straightforward, welcoming city and away days here are generally trouble-free. The main risk is pickpocketing in crowds around Sol, Gran Vía and on the Metro, so keep your phone and wallet secure. Keep club colours low-key on Line 7 around a Real Madrid derby.

Where are the away-friendly areas for a drink?

The centre is easy: Plaza de Santa Ana, La Latina and the Irish bars near Avenida de Brasil and Retiro are all used to visiting fans and show the football. There is little right by the ground, so drink in town and take the Metro out.

Does the match ticket include free public transport?

No. Unlike some German and Italian clubs, the Atlético match ticket does not cover local transport. Buy a Metro single or a rechargeable Multi card before you travel; the Multi card is worth it if you are making several journeys over the trip.

How far is the stadium from the city centre?

Roughly 11 km northeast of the centre, so it is an out-of-town ground. Allow about 45 minutes on Metro Line 7 directly to Estadio Metropolitano, or 35 to 40 minutes by taxi at around 20 to 30 EUR depending on traffic.

Where should I stay?

Base yourself in the centre near a Line 7 or Line 5 Metro station, not out by the ground, which is ringed by roads and business parks with little going on. Sol, La Latina and Plaza Santa Ana put you among the bars, food and sights with a simple ride to the stadium.