Riding the metro in Madrid (for tourists)

PART ONE: Riding the metro in Madrid.

The first thing you need to know is that the metro is the fastest and effective way to move in Madrid. The bus is OK, all over if you want to get an idea of the city by viewing its streets. BUT the metro is a great option for people that don't want complications or that is in short of time and want to go from one hotpoint to another without losing time!

The f***ing ticket machine: how does it work??

When I am totally new in a city, I get anxious when reading the different options to travel and not having any idea of what to choose (and the queue behind me makes this anxiety higher ¬¬). So, that is:

'BILLETE SENCILLO METROBÚS' (one-way ticket by bus or metro): 1'00 €

'METROBÚS 10 VIAJES' (it allows you to ride the metro or the bus 10 times): 7'40 €

'SENCILLO + SUPLEMENTO AEROPUERTO' (you will need it if you come from Barajas airport): 2 €

'ABONO TURÍSTICO' (specially for tourists: it will allow you to ride any bus or metro during your stay in Madrid):

*ZONA A: just Madrid.
*ZONA T: Madrid + trains to Guadalajara and Toledo.

Unless you are planning to go far away from Madrid city (I don't know, to a specific town :S), just FORGET ANY OTHER OPTION FROM THE MACHINE ('metroligero', 'metrosur', 'metronorte', etc).

I will continue with PART II: how to get to the main hotpoints by metro ;)