Seville public transport

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 6 min read

Seville's public transport is smaller in scale than Madrid or Barcelona, which suits the city: the historic centre is compact enough to explore on foot, and the combination of a single metro line, the MetroCentro tram through the heart of the city, a bus network and one of Spain's best bike-share schemes covers almost everything a visitor needs. Understanding how the pieces fit together makes getting around Seville both cheap and straightforward.

Metro Line 1

Seville has just one metro line — Metro Line 1 — but it is a well-run and genuinely useful one. It runs from Olivar de Quinto in the south-west suburb of Dos Hermanas to Mairena del Aljarafe in the north-west, passing through the city centre via a string of useful stops:

• San Bernardo: connects to the Estación de Santa Justa, Seville's main rail station serving AVE high-speed trains from Madrid and regional services.
• Puerta Jerez: at the southern edge of the historic centre, close to the Real Alcázar and the university quarter.
• Centro / Decano: roughly central, near the commercial area.
• Nervión: a busy residential and commercial hub in the eastern part of the city.

The metro runs from around 06:30 to midnight on weekdays and Sundays, with extended hours to around 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. It is air-conditioned — a considerable advantage in Seville's hot summers — and frequent during peak hours.

MetroCentro — the city-centre tram

The MetroCentro is a short tram line running through the pedestrianised heart of old Seville, from the San Bernardo metro and rail station area to the Plaza Nueva, via the Puerta Jerez and Archivo de Indias area. It is a small system — just a handful of stops along a route of around two kilometres — but it serves exactly the right corridor: the one linking the rail station to the tourist centre of the city.

MetroCentro uses the same ticketing system as the metro. Single tickets and multi-journey cards are valid on both. The tram runs frequently during the day and shares its right-of-way with pedestrians in parts of the historic streets, meaning it moves at a gentle pace — but for luggage-laden arrivals from the rail station, it is much easier than walking.

TUSSAM buses

The TUSSAM network of urban buses covers the parts of Seville not served by metro or tram, including large swathes of the residential suburbs and routes to the Triana neighbourhood across the river. A few circular routes (the Circular C3 and C4) are particularly useful for visitors, running through or close to the historic centre. TUSSAM uses the same multi-trip cards as the metro (the Tarjeta Multiviaje), making it easy to switch between modes.

Night bus services operate under the Búhos (owls) brand, running on several routes through the night hours when the metro is closed.

Tickets and passes

Seville's public transport uses a unified ticketing structure covering metro, MetroCentro and TUSSAM buses. The main options are:

• Single ticket: valid for one journey. Sold at metro station machines and on buses (TUSSAM drivers sell bus singles, but not metro tickets).
• Tarjeta Multiviaje (1 zona): a rechargeable card loaded with a set number of trips. The cost per journey is substantially lower than a single ticket, making it the right choice for any stay longer than a day. Requires an initial card purchase at metro ticket machines.
• Tarjeta Turística: available for one or three days, offering unlimited travel on metro, MetroCentro and TUSSAM. Worth considering if you plan to move around the city frequently — though Seville's walkable centre means many visitors never need more than a handful of journeys per day.

Sevici — the bike-share scheme

Seville transformed its cycling infrastructure in the early 2000s and the result is one of the best cycling cities in Spain. The Sevici bike-share scheme has hundreds of docking stations throughout the city, and the flat terrain makes cycling effortless. A visitor pass (available online or at some kiosks) gives access to bikes for short rides at low cost; the first 30 minutes of each journey is typically free or very cheap under the standard subscription structure.

The cycle network includes dedicated lanes along the riverfront and through much of the historic centre. For sightseeing, a bike covers the distance between the Cathedral, Alcázar, Plaza de España and Triana neighbourhood far more efficiently than the metro or bus.

Getting to and from the airport

The EA bus (Airport Express) connects Seville Airport (SVQ) to the Prado de San Sebastián and Plaza de Armas bus stations in the city centre. It runs frequently and takes 35–45 minutes. This is not part of the metro/TUSSAM network — tickets are purchased separately, either on board or online. Taxis are regulated and metered; the fare to the centre is fixed from the airport.

Practical tips

• Seville's old city is remarkably compact: the Cathedral, Alcázar, Giralda and the Barrio Santa Cruz are all within 10–15 minutes' walk of each other. Prioritise feet and Sevici bikes for daytime sightseeing.
• The metro is most useful for getting to and from the Santa Justa rail station (for AVE trains to Madrid and connections) and for reaching the Nervión commercial district.
• Summer in Seville is intense: temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C. Underground metro travel during the middle of the day is considerably more comfortable than walking.
• If you are arriving by high-speed train from Madrid, the Santa Justa station is on metro line 1 (San Bernardo stop), and MetroCentro takes you directly into the historic centre from there.
• Triana, on the far bank of the Guadalquivir, is best reached by walking across the Triana bridge from the historic centre — there is no metro station in Triana itself.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Seville metro go to the airport?

No. The metro line does not reach Seville Airport (SVQ). The airport is served by the EA Airport Express bus, which runs to the city-centre bus stations in 35–45 minutes. Taxis are available but cost considerably more.

Is the MetroCentro tram the same system as the metro?

They use the same tickets and multi-trip cards, but they are physically separate systems. The MetroCentro is a street-level tram through the pedestrianised city centre; the metro is an underground rapid transit line. You can transfer between them at San Bernardo and Puerta Jerez without paying again on a multi-trip card.

How useful is the metro for tourist sightseeing in Seville?

Moderately useful. Many of Seville's main attractions are clustered in the walkable historic centre, which the MetroCentro tram serves better than the metro. The metro is most valuable for airport or rail-station connections and reaching suburban areas.

Is cycling practical in Seville?

Yes — Seville is one of Spain's flattest and most cycling-friendly cities. The Sevici bike-share scheme is inexpensive and widely available. Dedicated cycle lanes cover most of the city, and the terrain is easy. Many visitors find bikes more convenient than public transport for daytime sightseeing.