Madrid will extend Metro hours for Pope Leo XIV’s visit

One of the most important measures will be introduced on the Metro. On the night of 6 to 7 June, the underground will extend its hours until 2:30 am, an hour later than usual. The aim is to make it easier for people to leave the main events and to prevent the stations closest to the gathering areas from becoming overcrowded at the same time.

There will also be an increase in service frequency. Metro de Madrid will run more trains on the most affected lines, with increases of up to 125% at certain times. In addition, extra staff will be deployed in stations, maintenance, and security to guide travellers and respond quickly if any incidents occur.

EMT and Bicimad will also be part of the plan. From 3 to 9 June, municipal buses and the public bicycle service will be free, a measure designed to reduce car use and offer alternatives during the road closures and diversions that will affect the centre, Cibeles, Plaza de Lima, and the area around the Bernabéu.

The city will not only see changes in mobility. Culture will join the special atmosphere with the Noche en Blanco y Amarillo initiative, which will open several museums and cultural spaces for free during the night of Saturday 6 to Sunday 7 June. It will be an opportunity to experience Madrid differently, among exhibitions, heritage, and a city more active than usual.

For residents and visitors, the advice will be simple: check routes before leaving and don’t rely on your usual journey. Some stations may close temporarily, several bus lines will change their routes, and many streets in the centre will have restrictions for safety reasons.

Madrid is used to major events, but the papal visit will bring together mobility, faith, culture, and urban life in just a few days. The challenge will be to keep the city running while it changes pace: more trains, more buses, museums open, and thousands of people moving around a map that, for a few hours, will be different from any normal weekend.