All you need to do is go to any metro station in Madrid and place your order at any of the ticket machines there. These machines look like ATMs but will have the branding of the Madrid metro on them. Once there you can pay either in cash or with credit card.

Yes, the Madrid Metro (Metro de Madrid) fully accepts credit and debit cards for payment, but the method of use is slightly different than in London or New York. In 2026, you cannot simply "tap" your credit card at the turnstile to enter. Instead, you must use your credit card at an automated ticket machine to purchase or top up a "Multi Card"—a red, contactless, rechargeable transport card that costs €2.50. Once you have the card, you can use your credit card to load "Single" or "10-trip" tickets onto it. These machines accept contactless (NFC) payments, Chip & PIN, and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. For tourists, the "Tourist Travel Pass" is also available for purchase via credit card. While the metro system is working on "direct tap-to-pay" turnstiles for a 2027 rollout, the current 2026 standard remains using your card at the station kiosks to manage your physical Multi Card, which is then tapped for entry.