Gran Vía in Madrid at dusk, with the lit dome of the Metropolis building above the traffic
Duration4 days
TransportPlane / Coach
AccommodationHomestay · Hotel · Hostel

School trips to Madrid

Gaelle
Gaelle

Your dedicated trip manager

About this trip

A school trip to Madrid is a four-day programme in the Spanish capital for secondary school groups, organised in Spain by Viajes CumLaude. We have run school tours from our Barcelona office since 1996, and your group works with a named trip manager here and a 24-hour duty phone for the whole stay.

Two museums carry the trip. The Prado is done on an age-appropriate route through Velázquez, Goya and Bosch; the Reina Sofía is built around Guernica and what it was painted for. Between them sit the Royal Palace, the Almudena, Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, close enough to each other to be walked.

The rest keeps a class moving rather than queuing. A treasure hunt through Habsburg Madrid on the first day, a paella workshop, a street-art session in Lavapiés, chocolate and churros after supervised free time on Gran Vía, and a flamenco performance to close. The Santiago Bernabéu is the one visit that needs a transfer.

What's included

Clear quotes, no surprises

Personalise your trip

  • Transport by plane
  • Transport by coach
  • Chosen meal plan: bed and breakfast, half board or full board
  • Guided tours
  • Entrance tickets
  • Ask us about our different travel insurance options

We offer

  • Dedicated personal manager
  • Tailor-made trip preparation
  • Information about the destination
  • 24/7 support during the trip
  • Meeting with families and teachers
  • Different payment options
  • 1 gymsack bag
Start

Start of the trip

1

Begin with a guided visit to the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, two key landmarks for understanding Madrid’s past. Continue through Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, two of the city’s busiest squares. In the afternoon, a treasure hunt through Habsburg Madrid will help students explore the historic district in an active, team-based way.

View details and photo

2

The morning will focus on the Prado Museum, following an age-appropriate route that introduces students to Velázquez, Goya and Bosch. Lunch will feature typical Spanish tapas. In the afternoon, the group will enjoy a relaxed walk through Retiro Park, including a stop at the Palacio de Cristal.

View details and photo

3

Students will visit the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and learn about the behind-the-scenes world of a major football club. Afterwards, a paella workshop will introduce them to one of Spain’s most iconic dishes. The group will then have supervised free time on Gran Vía, followed by hot chocolate and churros in a traditional café.

View details and photo

4

The day starts at the Reina Sofía Museum, with a focus on Picasso’s Guernica and its historical significance. Next, a street-art workshop in Lavapiés will give students a chance to experiment with creative expression. The trip will end with a flamenco performance, offering a lively and memorable cultural experience.

View details and photo

End

Return home

Travelling with CumLaude means:

Confidence from the first call

24h emergency phone, complete coordination and a named specialist who knows the trip before the group leaves.

A plan you can explain clearly

Clear pricing, reviewed suppliers and concrete reasons to show why this trip is the right choice for the school.

Support when plans change

We know what can happen when a group is abroad. That is why we anticipate logistics, timings and critical points.

Public transport

Getting around Madrid

Madrid is easy to get around by combining the Metro, EMT buses and Cercanías. For a group with visits focused on the Centro, the Royal Palace and the Paseo del Arte, the most efficient strategy is to walk the short stretches and use public transport for the Retiro, Atocha, the Bernabéu, Matadero or transfers from the stations.

Transport networks

Metro de Madrid

Main network for fast journeys across the city. Zone A covers practically the whole municipality and links Sol, Ópera, Banco de España, Atocha, the Retiro, Nuevos Ministerios and the airport.

Useful lines

L1L2L3L4L5L8L10

In your itinerary

Day 1: Sol and Ópera for Habsburg Madrid, Banco de España/Retiro for the Paseo del Arte and Atocha for arrivals. Optional: L10 for the Bernabéu and L3/L6 for Matadero-Legazpi.

EMT buses

Surface network, useful when the Metro forces a detour or for panoramic runs past the Prado, Cibeles, Gran Vía and the Castellana. The Exprés Aeropuerto has its own fare.

Useful lines

001002273234C1C2Exprés Aeropuerto

In your itinerary

Day 1: city-centre lines link Atocha, the Prado, Cibeles, Sol and Gran Vía if the group needs to cut down on walking. Check event-related diversions before using surface buses.

Cercanías Renfe

Integrated urban and metropolitan rail with key stations such as Atocha, Sol, Recoletos, Nuevos Ministerios and Chamartín. Very practical for arrivals, departures and excursions outside the centre.

Useful lines

C1C2C3C4C7C10

In your itinerary

Day 1: Atocha, Sol and Recoletos can save time if the accommodation or the coach is near a Cercanías station.

Tickets and passes

Tourist Ticket Zone A

Recommended

Personal pass with unlimited trips on consecutive days on Metro zone A, EMT except the Exprés Aeropuerto, Cercanías zone A and ML1. Includes the Metro airport supplement.

10,30 EUR 1 day; 17,50 EUR 2 days; 23,10 EUR 3 days

Metrobús 10 trips

Recommended

10-trip pass for EMT, Metro zone A and ML1, loaded onto the Multi card or the personal transport card (TTP). Does not include the Exprés Aeropuerto or the Metro airport supplement.

7,30 EUR / 10 trips

Single ticket Metro/EMT

Option for one-off trips. On Metro zone A the price depends on the number of stations; on EMT you buy on board or at authorised points.

1,50-2,00 EUR Metro zone A; 1,50 EUR EMT

EMT Airport Express

24-hour bus between the airport, Cibeles and Atocha with its own fare. Useful if avoiding Metro L8 or travelling at night.

5,00 EUR / trip

Tips for the group

  • For 1-2 trips per person, the 10-trip Metrobús usually beats single tickets.
  • For days with 3 or more journeys per person, or a Metro arrival from Barajas, compare with the Tourist Ticket Zone A.
  • The Plaza Mayor - Royal Palace - Sol - Prado - Retiro axis can largely be done on foot; save the Metro for long hops.
  • Check the CRTM service updates the day before for works, demonstrations or closures on EMT and Metro.
  • At big stations like Sol, Atocha or Nuevos Ministerios, set a meeting point before going through the gates.
Emergency

Emergency numbers in Madrid

Save this section or take a screenshot before travelling.

Emergency

General emergency number in Spain

112
Police

National Police

091
Police

Policía Municipal de Madrid

092
Assistance

Viajes CumLaude assistance - 24h emergency

The 24h duty number is given to the accompanying teachers before the trip.

Weather

The weather in Madrid

Average temperature, rainfall and daylight hours by month during the school year.

Ideal season
Normal
Low season
Month
Min
Temperature
Max
Jan
2.7°
9.8°
Feb
3.7°
12°
Mar
6.2°
16.3°
Apr
7.7°
18.2°
May
11.3°
22.2°
Jun
16.1°
28.2°
Jul
19°
32.1°
Aug
18.8°
31.3°
Sep
15.4°
26.4°
Oct
10.7°
19.4°
Nov
6.3°
13.5°
Dec
3.6°
10°
Jan
33 mm
Feb
34 mm
Mar
25 mm
Apr
45 mm
May
50 mm
Jun
21 mm
Jul
12 mm
Aug
10 mm
Sep
22 mm
Oct
60 mm
Nov
58 mm
Dec
51 mm

Data: Open-Meteo.com · Climate averages 1991–2020 · Updated: 24 May 2026

FAQ

What schools usually ask before booking

How much does a school trip to Madrid cost?

The budget depends on the number of students, dates, transport, accommodation and included activities. We prepare a clear proposal tailored to the group.

What documents do students need?

It depends on the destination and each student's nationality. Before the trip we review passports, permissions and specific requirements with the school.

Can the itinerary be customised?

Yes. The itineraries are a starting point: we adapt visits, pace, accommodation and activities to the group's educational goals and budget.

How many days do you need for a school trip to Madrid?

Our Madrid programme runs over four days: the historic centre and a treasure hunt, the Prado and Retiro Park, the Bernabéu with a paella workshop and Gran Vía, and the Reina Sofía with a street-art workshop and flamenco. We adapt the length to the group's dates.

Is Madrid a good destination for a school group?

The centre is compact, so the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Prado are within walking distance of one another and transfers stay short. The two big museums are done on routes chosen for the age of the group, and the workshops — paella, street art, treasure hunt — break up the days spent looking at paintings.

Tell us about your group

No commitment. A local specialist who knows Madrid will prepare a tailored proposal for your group.

Tailor-made quote
Request a quote