Visiting Chamartín and Santiago Bernabéu During Line 10 Metro Works: What You Need to Know
- Mar 24
- 4 min read
If you’re staying near the Bernabéu or planning a visit for a stadium tour, Bernabéu Market, Plaza Mahou, or a match, you’ll run into a temporary interruption on Metro Line 10 between Nuevos Ministerios and Cuzco. This is starting in March 2026 and is expected to last through the end of the year. The workaround is simple: a short walk, a frequent free shuttle, or a quick taxi or ride‑hail.
What’s happening - Metro Line 10 Partial Closure
Metro de Madrid has paused Line 10 service between Nuevos Ministerios and Cuzco while renovation work continues at Santiago Bernabéu station. To keep people moving along the Castellana, EMT is running a free replacement shuttle, officially labeled SE10, that connects the affected stops.
How the free shuttle works
The SE10 is a special service, not a normal fare‑collecting bus. That means:
The ticket validator stays off.
You do not tap, scan, or show anything.
You simply step on and ride.
It’s designed to mimic the missing stretch of Line 10 as closely as possible.
Where to find the shuttle stops
The stops are easy to spot and placed exactly where visitors need them:
Nuevos Ministerios: On Paseo de la Castellana, right outside the main station exits on the east side of the avenue.
Santiago Bernabéu: On Paseo de la Castellana, directly in front of the stadium’s façade.
Cuzco: On Paseo de la Castellana, beside the Cuzco roundabout, close to the metro entrances.
Plaza de Castilla: On the Castellana service road, near the bus interchange.
The buses are clearly marked as SE10 and display “Servicio Especial” on the front.
Getting from Nuevos Ministerios to the stadium area
If you’re coming from the south, you’ll still take Line 10 to Nuevos Ministerios. From there, you have three easy options.
Walk along the Castellana
Exit at the north end of the station and follow Paseo de la Castellana straight up to the stadium. It’s a wide, flat avenue and takes about 15 minutes at a relaxed pace. On nice days, this is often the most predictable choice.
Take the SE10 shuttle
The shuttle links Nuevos Ministerios, Bernabéu, Cuzco, and Plaza de Castilla. It runs every few minutes and is free for anyone covering the closed section. Before big events, it can be busy, but the buses turn over quickly.
Grab a taxi or ride‑hail
Taxis, Uber, Cabify, and Bolt all operate normally in this area. From Nuevos Ministerios, the ride is short and usually inexpensive. This is the most comfortable option if you’re carrying bags, traveling with kids, or simply want to avoid crowds.
Coming from the north
If you’re staying near Chamartín, Plaza de Castilla, or anywhere north of the stadium, the process is just as simple. Take Line 10 to Plaza de Castilla or Cuzco, then either walk down the Castellana or hop on the same free SE10 shuttle heading south. The stops are directly on the avenue, and the ride to Bernabéu takes only a few minutes. This route is very familiar to us from our days living in Chamartín.
Quick comparison
Option | Time | Cost | Why choose it |
Walk | About 15 minutes | Free | Direct, simple, no waiting |
SE10 shuttle | 5 to 10 minutes | Free | Frequent and easy to spot |
Taxi or ride‑hail | 3 to 6 minutes | Low fare | Comfortable and reliable |
EMT lines 27 or 147 | 5 to 12 minutes | Standard fare | Good if one arrives as you reach the stop |
Practical tips
If you're going to a match, give yourself a little extra time.
If the weather is good, the walk is pleasant and avoids crowds and the people you'll see will be full of energy, the energy you might be looking for. If there are crowds of people waiting for the SE10 shuttle, you might have to wait a while depending on the number of people waiting and the capacity on the shuttle.
If you prefer convenience, taxis and ride‑hail cars are plentiful around Nuevos Ministerios. But, on match days they might be difficult to get. Book ahead if you can, and be prepared to pay surge pricing.
After your visit, you can return the same way. Shuttle stops and taxi ranks are easy to find, and the walk back down the Castellana is just as straightforward. The crowds are the variable.
Wrapping up, the temporary closure on Metro Line 10 will be part of life around the Bernabéu for a while, but it shouldn’t complicate your plans. Between the free SE10 shuttle, the short and straightforward walk, and the abundance of taxis and ride‑hail cars, getting to the stadium and its surrounding attractions remains simple. Once you know where to step off the metro and how to continue the last stretch, the detour becomes just another part of the day. Madrid is good at keeping people moving, and this stretch of the Castellana is no exception.
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