Suffolk University Madrid Campus staff would like to share some ideas on how to make the most of your study abroad experience in Madrid. In this presentation you'll find useful updated information about transportation, how to order food, cultural differences and much more. We hope it is useful. Enjoy your time in Madrid safely!

1. (Good) Life in Madrid
Silvia Salazar, Student Affairs Assistant

2. Spanish Social Customs
• GREETINGS: 2 kisses between women and
man-woman; handshake between men.
• Always say ‘buenos días’ or ‘buenas tardes’
when you go into a shop, building, house etc.
and ‘adios’ or ‘hasta luego’ when you leave.

3. • PERSONAL SPACE: personal space is reduced
and Spaniards are ‘touchy’, we are used to
more physical contact.

4. • Communication:
- We talk with our hands
- Staring is almost a national pass
time (although cell phones are changing that…)

5. • SOCIAL MANNERS:
– No stretching, yawning or burping in public
– We are not very punctual, but please, be on time
for class!!

6. • MEALS: Meals are important social
encounters, so no eating while working,
walking, driving and no food in your bedroom!
– Breakfast is light. Usually coffee, toast or cereal or
a sweet roll and juice
– Lunch is the heaviest meal. Any time between
1:30 and 3:30pm
– Dinner tends to be lighter. Any time between 9:00
and 11:00pm
– Table manners are important: use your silverware;
try new things (don’t dissect your food!)
– Food might not be as heavily seasoned or dressed,
but it is tasty (barbecue sauce is not common)

7. • EATING AND GOING OUT:
– Breakfast: most traditional:
chocolate con churros o porras.
Café y pincho de tortilla
– Lunch: menú del día is the best
option for a full meal (3 courses).
It’s around 10€ in regular
restaurants and around 6€ in
student cafeterias. Few
vegetarian options.
– Dinner: tapas (or raciones).
Traditional tapas bars might not
look too clean, but food is good!

8. • Service is usually slow and you may need to
call the waiter/waitress several times
• You need to ask for the check (‘La cuenta, por
favor’)
• Service is included in the price, so tipping is
not necessary. If you really liked the place,
food or service, 5-10% tip is enough
• No doggy bag, sorry!
• Pubs/bars don’t serve food

9. • Clubs: you normally need to pay a cover. In
many clubs there’s a guest list.
• In most pubs there’s a dress code
• In bars and pubs no food is served
• Spaniards party on the street, especially in
summer.

10. • CLOTHES:
– Dress up more
– Flip-flops, baseball cap and hoodie=
American tourist
• OTHERS:
– The birthday person invites to
tapas/drink etc.
When in Rome… Do as Romans do
OPEN YOUR EYES. ASK QUESTIONS
POLITELY. ASK SUFFOLK STAFF ;)

11. BUDGETING YOUR MONEY
• Use your Cheque Gourmet wisely: no change
is given
• Use your 15€ phone credit wisely: roaming
and international calls are expensive
• Visit ‘dollar stores’ (chinos) for every day items
• Movie theaters are cheaper on Mondays or
Wednesdays, depending on the theater
• Be careful with shopping (cheap stores H&M,
Zara, Lefties… Food: LIDL, DIA, )

12. Other things we can help you with
• How do I get to…?
• How can I send a package?
• Can I give the campus address for my mail?
• Where can I find….?
• Is there a counseling service on campus?
• In Spain, is it ok to…?
• Can I schedule a taxi pick up service?

13. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
– Public transportation in
Madrid is safe, reliable and
cheaper than in many other
big cities. Easy to navigate
– The best and cheapest
option to move around is
Tarjeta Transporte Público
(35€ for 30 days if you’re
under 22 and 54.60€ for the
rest). Plus 4€ for the card
itself. CRTM

14. Tarjeta Transporte Público
• Advantages:
• It is valid for 30 days from the moment you start using it.
• In case of theft or loss of the card, you can recuperate the
remaining credit.
• Contact-less. Easy and quick to validate. Not demagnetized
• You don’t need to worry about change for your tickets.
• You can easily budget the amount you’ll spend on
transportation.
• You don’t need to pay the 3€ extra fee every time you
travel to or from the airport on the metro.
• You get a discount on Madrid bike rental system.

15. • To apply for the card: we’ll help you if you provide us
with a photo, passport copy and signed application
from. It takes up to 5 days to get cards issued.
(www.tarjetatransportepublico.com )
• You can do it yourself online or by appointment in
CRTM offices
• You’ll need to put credit on it in any metro stop or
tobacco stores (estancos)
• 10-ride passes are 12.20€

16. TAXIS
All official taxis are white with a red line on the front doors and have a visible taximeter
inside. The driver’s license number is displayed inside the car. They are safe and pretty
reliable. ALWAYS ASK FOR YOUR RECEIPT.
You can hail a taxi easily in any busy street or find a taxi stop.
You may also order your taxi by phone (915478200 Radio Teléfono Taxi). There’s an initial 5€
cost for this service.
You can also order your taxi online (www.pidetaxi.es or www.hailocab.com/madrid ) where
you’ll find smartphone Apps as well. You need to register the first time you use these Apps
If you order your taxi online or by phone, you can schedule it for a later time or day and
you’ll see an estimate of how long the ride will be and how much it will cost.
You may also ask for a taxi with a big trunk for lots of luggage
Taxis to and from the airport have a flat rate of 30€
Rates vary depending on area, day/night, supplement for luggage or to and from station etc.

17. Airport shuttle
There’s an express airport shuttle to/from
the center of Madrid (Atocha, Cibeles,
O’donnell) to the airport, T1,2, T4. it runs
24hr/day, 365 days/year. It takes
approximately 40 min. and it has a flat rate
of 5€.
This is a good, cheap alternative if your
need to be at the airport between 1am and
6:30am, when the metro is not running.
For more information, visit:
www.emtmadrid.es/lineaAeropuerto