Travelling Around Madrid With Your Dog: Transport Rules and Options

Getting around a city the size of Madrid with a dog takes a little planning. The rules vary depending on how you're travelling, and knowing them in advance makes the difference between a smooth journey and an awkward standoff with a bus driver. Here is a practical breakdown of your options — from the Metro to your own car — and what each one requires.

Note: guide dogs and registered assistance dogs are exempt from all of the restrictions below and may access any form of transport freely, provided their identity is verified.

Cercanías (Commuter Rail)

RENFE's commuter network is one of the more dog-friendly options in the city. Dogs of any size are permitted on Cercanías trains, subject to a few conditions: one dog per passenger, no ticket required, they cannot occupy a seat, and they must travel with a muzzle and on a lead. A carrier or crate is not required, and there are no time restrictions on access. For owners of larger dogs, this is often the most practical public transport option available.

Metro

Dogs are permitted on the Madrid Metro, but the rules are more specific. Travel is restricted to off-peak hours — on weekdays, the blocked periods are 7:30–9:30, 14:00–16:00, and 18:00–20:00. During July, August, weekends, and public holidays, dogs can travel at any time. Your dog must wear a muzzle, travel on a lead no longer than 50cm, and ride in the last carriage of the train. One dog per passenger applies.

City Bus (EMT)

The EMT is the least flexible option. The current regulations only permit small animals carried in an appropriate enclosed carrier. There is no provision for larger dogs on a lead, despite a proposal in 2019 that suggested this might change — it never did. If your dog doesn't fit comfortably in a small carrier, the bus is not a practical option.

Taxis

Madrid's taxi ordinance means a driver cannot refuse a passenger solely because they have a dog — unless the animal could cause damage to the vehicle or poses another specific issue. That said, in practice, the driver has discretion, and it is worth being prepared for some refusals. To comply with road traffic law, your dog must travel in a carrier or with a harness and seatbelt attachment. If you want to avoid any uncertainty, dedicated dog-friendly taxi services such as Mascotaxi and Taxy Guau accept bookings in advance and are set up specifically for travelling with dogs.

Ride-Hailing (Cabify, Uber, Bolt)

Both platforms allow dogs, though with slightly different approaches. Cabify defers to local regulations — small dogs in a carrier are straightforward, but for larger dogs you will need to check with the driver beforehand, and a cleaning supplement may apply. Uber permits pets and recommends notifying the driver ahead of time, with a carrier for smaller dogs or a protective cover for larger ones. As with taxis, road traffic law applies, so a carrier or harness with seatbelt attachment is required regardless of platform.

Carsharing

The main carsharing services operating in Madrid — Emov, Zity, FreetoMove, and Wible — all permit dogs, provided you comply with traffic regulations and return the vehicle in clean condition. Cleaning costs will be charged to your account if the car is left in poor condition. ShareNow is the exception in terms of policy detail: they require your dog to travel in a carrier and ask that no trace — hair, odour — is left in the vehicle.

Your Own Car

When driving privately, Spanish traffic law requires that animals do not interfere with the driver's freedom of movement or field of vision. Your dog cannot travel loose in the cabin or have access to the driver. Beyond that, there are three main restraint options.

A dividing grille — typically a metal barrier between the boot and rear seats — works well for larger dogs and gives them space to travel comfortably. A carrier is one of the safest methods: small carriers go on the floor behind the front seats, while larger ones should be placed sideways in the boot against the backrest. A harness with a seatbelt attachment is the least secure option but is widely used — keep the lead length short so your dog cannot reach the front of the car.

A few practical notes for car journeys: drive smoothly and avoid sharp braking, particularly if your dog isn't used to travelling. Don't feed them immediately before a trip if they're prone to motion sickness. Keep them hydrated and stop every two hours to let them rest and move around.

FAQs

Can I take my dog on the Madrid Metro at any time? Not on weekdays. Dogs are restricted from the Metro during peak hours — 7:30–9:30, 14:00–16:00, and 18:00–20:00. Outside those windows, and at any time during July, August, weekends, and public holidays, dogs can travel freely. They must wear a muzzle, travel on a lead of no more than 50cm, and ride in the last carriage.

Is my dog allowed on Madrid city buses? Only if they are small enough to be carried in an enclosed carrier. There is no current provision for larger dogs on EMT buses, regardless of lead or muzzle use.

Can a taxi driver in Madrid refuse to take my dog? Technically, the ordinance limits the grounds on which a driver can refuse service. In practice, some will. Your safest options are dedicated dog-friendly services like Mascotaxi or Taxy Guau, which accept advance bookings and are set up for exactly this.

How does my dog need to travel in a private car? Spanish traffic law requires that dogs do not interfere with the driver. This means a loose dog in the cabin is not permitted. The main options are a boot dividing grille, a carrier, or a harness with a seatbelt attachment. A carrier is generally considered the safest of the three.

Are carsharing cars in Madrid dog-friendly? Most of them — Emov, Zity, FreetoMove, Wible, and ShareNow all permit dogs. The consistent requirement across all of them is that you comply with road traffic rules and return the vehicle clean. ShareNow specifically requires a carrier. Cleaning charges will be applied if the car is left with significant hair or odour.