What are /r/Madrid's favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Citymapper - works wonderful for transportation. It works with Metro, Bus, Cercanías, the Taxi app that you have installed on your phone (Uber, Hailo), Car2Go, BiciMad... And it has a wonderful interface!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.citymapper.app.release

First thing,

If you have a android phone, Install this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.greenlionsoft.free.madrid

Now lets use a Metro map as a refernce

You need to get from Aeropuerto T4 or T1 to Opera

First of all, The airport stops have a 3 euro surcharge and the 1 use ticket costs 2 euros (actually, 1,5€ and then 10 cents more per station, but since you´re doing more then 5 stations, its capped at 2€)

So make sure you either have 5-6 euros in coins or a 5 euro bill on you since it might not accept a credit card for such a low ammount, another option is to directly pay the 12,20€ 10 use ticket (you will still need to pay the 3 euro airport surcharge)

Now as /u/jcfdez indicated,

You can take, Line 8 (pink) in nuevos ministerios direction to nuevos ministerios (end of line), Then change to the Dark blue (careful, theres 2 blue lines, 10 is dark blue and 1 is light blue) line 10 and take the train in the direction of Puerta del Sur.

Now you have two options, Change trains in Alonso Martinez to the green line casa de campo direction. or change trains in Principe Pio to the Ramal interconnection train, the number of stops is almost the same (i think theres 1 or 2 stops difference)

the difference is what are you carrying with you, if you´re carrying bags or something heavy, the distance between the trains in Alonso martines could be annoying since line 10 is quite deeper and requires you to go up to the base floor of the staton and then go down again to the green line. While the Principe Pio Ramal is just get off the 10 line, go up 1 set of stairs and you´re there.

Im just mentioning that becuase principe pio is an easier station to navigate, especialy when you have bags with you, and the ramal is just 1 station away from opera, actually its a interconnection train that farries people from principie pio to opera.

Yeah, it's been available for three or four months. Add your credit card to the app and then takes about 15 seconds to top up when you need to add another 10 journeys. I usually end up doing it in front of the barriers when I discover I've run out :)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.crtm.recarga

Seems the reviews are kinda polarised, but it's worked well for me. No idea if there's an iOS app.

E-park, for your car in case you rent one : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.setex.epark

Google translate in case you have issues with Spanish:. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.translate

And the "Madrid Metro|Bus|Cercanias" that has been mentioned

https://www.amazon.es/Honey-Maid-Graham-Crackers-14-4/dp/B000S5ME1K/ref=sr_1_4?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=390PXROP50IBU&dchild=1&keywords=graham+crackers&qid=1599860626&sprefix=graham+cr%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-4

I think it's a good idea to stick with an airbnb. They have some pretty good ones here and it's the best way to be sure you'll get good wifi and a kitchen. I'm not sure your exact preferences but this one for example looks pretty good, nice kitchen and all.

Look up on idealista.com. For example, 3 rooms posted in Leganes this week : http://www.idealista.com/alquiler-habitacion/leganes-madrid/con-publicado_ultima-semana/.

Call / whatsapp as many people as possible. If desperate, rent a room on https://www.airbnb.com/ for a few days. Good luck!

You and the previous comment should read this:

https://medium.com/@CarlAlviani/why-bikes-make-smart-people-say-dumb-things-9316abbd5735

TL;DR Bike riders don't drive more poorly than car drivers. And they're better for the world.

The bus is relatively cheap. I stopped for a couple days in Granada before continuing onward to Malaga. No problems whatsoever. ~18€ for each leg of the trip.

I used GoEuro:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goeuro.rosie

I only use Metro | Bus | Cercanias

It includes together the metropolitan buses, subway, urban trains, buses connecting Madrid with the surrounding towns (the green ones) and a map of the Madrid bicycle service signaling which stops have a high or a low amount of bikes ready to use.

That's five apps in one. And nope, I don't even know the guy behind this.

Just downloaded this app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rheanet.district.chueca

Seems good. You don't need to register, just press the menu option when asked to login and the schedule is there.

Download the MISO app. It's free and it lets you find healthy food places and fitness studios/gyms near you in Madrid.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/miso-find-healthy-food-gyms/id1142985776?mt=8

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.givememiso.miso

I guess that you are already here but quick tips.. You can find english groups with the app Meetup, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.meetup&hl=en I usually attend to english boardgaming on wednesdays for example. Movies: In Yelmo Ideal all the films are original versión with spanish subtitles, If you have some questions or need comthing PM me.

Meetup.com and Facebook groups!

There's a few FB groups for Expats in Madrid, English speakers in Madrid, etc...
All great people, pretty much in the same situation as yourself.

While I'm a big advocate of integrating with Spanish people and life as soon as possible, its also a good idea to have some friends who are in the same boat!

That's a great metro, line 3 puts you in the center in less than 30 minutes. You also have access to the cercanías that puts you in Atocha in under 15 minutes (if you time it right).

Use this app to know the real times of buses and cercanías. Doesn't work for metro though.

All the newer Renfe machines also have contactless. Also, if your mobile has NFC you can load your own cards with the app Tarjeta transporte

Nosotros hemos usado de este estilo, que son opacos pero dejan pasar la luz. Solo los hemos puesto hasta la mitad de la ventana y sin problemas.

Buy one online before traveling, e.g.:

https://www.amazon.com/Ceptics-UP-3K-1-PINK-Worldwide-International-Adapter/dp/B00WJXM5QI/ref=sr\_1\_4?keywords=international+adaptor&qid=1661970766&s=electronics&sr=1-4

Also keep in mind that here we have mighty 220v, not petty 120v, so make sure that the devices cand handle that; most chargers do but check the sticker.

Es verdad.

Soy escocés y aquí puedo usar una VPN para acceder F1TV.

Normalmente el único lugar que puedo verlo es Sky, pero es carísimo.

Con un Google TV cosita, puedes descargar el app de F1TV y con el VPN. Todo estará bien.

(Tengo NordVPN en mi Chromecast también)

Kit de reparación de luces de coche, paquete múltiple de reparación de luces traseras, intermitentes, indicadores y luces transparentes https://www.amazon.es/dp/B07K6HC8LM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SVTN2J47JMGADVTPSV3X You can use something like this if you are in doubt. Anyway, should be a minor fault (link in spanish for reference, its not official but should work as reference)

https://www.preitv.es/defectos-itv/luces-los-defectos-de-la-itv/

Yo tengo esto. He volado varias veces con mi gato y 0 problemas

I'm looking to open a bank account that has no-fees. I read the various threads here, and OpenBank was recommended a few times. However, I came across these bad reviews. Should I just go with a regular bank? e.g. Santander

I told them it was illegal and their answer was just 'computer says no' :( It is blatantly against the law, but apparently it's still quite common (https://wise.com/gb/blog/1000-cases-of-iban-discrimination) and I can't enforce the law myself so I'm stuck trying to get a Spanish bank account or I face either losing a couple of month's salary, or in the worst case losing my job (I have reported what happened to the campaign so it is forwarded to the relevant authorities but there won't be any resolution to that in time for me to sign my contract unfortunately).

I asked Revolut and they don't give out Spanish IBAN numbers (I don't think they can because their banking license isn't in Spain, or something along those lines). Their advice was just to explain the law to my work, which I tried but it didn't work. Stuck in an endless loop of computer says no it seems! Thanks for your advice anyway.

Aeuvum1 gave you some very solid advice! Following everything they said! Check out the Temple of Debod at night... the view is amazing. Also, I'd suggest checking out San Ginés Chocolatería. You can get churros con chocolate there. The nice thing is, it's right next to Sol!

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=madrid+sol&hl=en&ll=40.417262,-3.705606&spn=0.001233,0.006539&sll=40.436936,-3.697135&sspn=0.010861,0.026157&gl=us&hnear=Sol,+Madrid,+Community+of+Madrid,+Madrid,+Spain&t=m&z=18&am...

If you look at that street view, on your right you can see the store way in the back down a little alley. If you look to the left, you're about 2 blocks from la Puerta de Sol. It's open super late!

Raspberry Pi has 4 usb slots so you can use any USB conroller! Legit, mine cost me like $50 total and I can take it anywhere. It's got an HDMI output so it works on any screen.
https://lifehacker.com/how-to-turn-your-raspberry-pi-into-a-retro-game-console-498561192

Si tu smartphone tiene NFC puedes recargar los viajes en tu Tarjeta Multi https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.crtm.recarga

La app en Playstore tiene un video explicativo de cómo cargar tu tarjeta.

you can try BlaBlaCar, a car sharing service. You wont be able to travel 6 person at the same time but you could at least try to find your way to Lisbon and from there some local transport to the festival. http://www.blablacar.com/

La universidad es el mejor lugar. Hay mucha gente y depende de a cual vayas también puede haber asociaciones con gente con tus mismos intereses.

Hasta entonces lo que te han ido recomendando está bien, intercambios de idiomas, clubs de fotografía... Te recomiendo que mires en meetup

Yo me quite eso de encima poniendo una nas barata, ahora tengo el bittorrent ahi,

https://www.amazon.es/Dispositivo-Almacenamiento-M%C3%B3dulos-Transmisi%C3%B3n-Multimedia/dp/B01A98WGRM/ref=sr_1_2?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=1TPKHBN4OZ306&keywords=zyxel+nas&qid=1636126677&qsid=259-4535633-456...

Le meti un WD de 2TB viejo que tenia por ahi y mientras que el ordenador parado con pantalla chupa 100-150watt eso chupa 20-25.

I'm a little late to this, but I have gotten some ginger ale through amazon.es. Great when you aren't feeling up for carrying heavy things home.

When I ordered last year (it's a great summer drink for me), canada dry was not an option, but here's a link to it anyways: https://www.amazon.es/Canada-Dry-Ginger-Ale-Paquete/dp/B000WHR2XO/ref=sr_1_9?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&dchild=1&keywords=ginger+ale&qid=1623833549&sr=8-9

Best of luck and congratulations!!

Tu transporte Madrid Me funciona perfecta, te incluye todo el transporte, horarios, planos, posibilidad de comprobar el abono y de ver un mapa con las estaciones cercanas a tu ubicación.

https://www.amazon.es/Marca-Amazon-Presto-higi%C3%A9nico-ACOLCHADO/dp/B07PWGFSXN/ref=sr_1_2?pf_rd_i=14471124031&pf_rd_p=018a35f9-a2c0-5ae5-ad3f-08aced6a84d1&pf_rd_r=S63QCSA91WVEKK4Y6F6K&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-10&pf_rd_t=BROWSE...

PrePaid Europe (UK THREE) sim... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FI1JW72?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Make sure your activate it in the US the day before you leave. Also make sure you have an unlocked phone. Also of you wanna make calls to the US I found out you can use Google Hangouts and Hangouts Dialer to do so. Those apps use your data connection to dial out. The card normally doesn't allow US calls/texts, these apps saved my life because I had to get hold of my bank for some prior stAtement issues that I needed to clear over the phone.

Try searching for a shared room. There are some good rooms with good flatmates in Madrid. That way, you could improve for Spanish much faster and experience better the culture https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=es.inmovens.badi

My personal favourite: an app that puts together all transport systems in the region so you don't need 472883727 apps when planning your trip: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.greenlionsoft.free.madrid

To eat out.

Get and app like: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lafourchette.lafourchette

To make reservations and get, maybe, good recommendations. Or simply follow the crowds. You are bound to hit some tourist traps but maybe you like them too. Not only Lavapiés and Malasaña. Before Lavapiés I would go to Chueca and La Latina easy enough both neighborhoods have metro stations by the same name and plenty of drinking holes, baretos, and places to eat sitring down or eating tapas or raciones. Madrid Is as far away from the sea and the ocean as you can get in Spain but usually gets first choice of fish and seafood from the great fisheries around the country. If you like seafood you are in for a treat. Actually any food. I lived in Lavapiés for a while. Not my first port of call, for sure. Be Ware of pickpocketing there and around Sol. Make sure your valuables, specially your phone, are safe from them. Do not leave the phone on the table, specially if you see kids around that do not belong.

http://www.amazon.es/Feather-30FEAT-recambios-seguridad-inoxidable/dp/B002YTRJ4K/ref=lp_4347255031_1_16?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1457361081&sr=1-16

or pick your favorite brand: http://www.amazon.es/gp/search/other/ref=lp_4347255031_sa_p_89?rh=n%3A3677430031%2Cn%3A!3677431031%2Cn%3A4346878031%2Cn%3A4346888031%2Cn%3A4346944031%2Cn%3A4347255031&bbn=4347255031&pickerToList=lbr_brands_browse-bin&ie=UTF8&qid=14...

Pff...

The Style outlet in san sebastian de los reyes usualy has last years shirts at a discount price,

going to the official stores is just a rip off, the real madrid shop and the shops around sol are directed at tourists

Even Amazon has them for less http://www.amazon.es/adidas-Real-Madrid-C-F-Camiseta/dp/B00KBP1VT8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421680109&sr=8-1&keywords=camiseta+real+madrid

You could try doing this yourself with the Glovo app, they will get stuff and deliver it from a load of different stores. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.glovo

Not sure about what's allowed in Spanish hospitals though, sorry.

You can use Timpik, it's an app that let's you look for mates to play football and other games.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.timpik&hl=es

https://itunes.apple.com/es/app/timpik-padel-y-futbol-en-tu/id433422542?mt=8

a note about buses,

the blue (inner city) buses have a number on the stops, so you can see how long until the next bus comes, It becomes somewhat unreliable during the late hours (after 10pm, buses usualy run from 6am to 11pm but some run untul 22:30 and some until 23:45)

This app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.greenlionsoft.free.madrid for android will allow you to check waiting times for buses and will also use the GPS to tell you where are the nearest metro stations.

But if you plan on taking green buses (which connect the city with the suburbs) you might want to use this one instead https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.crtm.mitransporte