Spain/Portugal/Gibraltar - Madrid Tourist Card - Anyone done it?

I'm going to Spain in late April, and I'll be spending a few days in Madrid with my girlfriend (traveling with me), and I was thinking of getting a pair of Madrid tourist cards. They basically allow you to go around Madrid and get into a slew of different museums and palaces and gardens without having to wait in the long lines. And I fully expect there to be a lot of traffic during this particular week. I'm also thinking of purchasing the tourist bus card, and we're already booked on a Tapas Tour of Old Madrid.

Anyone done this before, know a good place to buy it cheaper than where the conventional wisdom of Google leads? Thank you.

Please discuss in the FT Europe Forum.
Thanks...
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

We got the museum card when we went a few years ago since we primarily go to museums on trips. I think I bought it online and then picked it up at the airport with a voucher, but I could be misremembering. (i.e. the normal way with just the online discount they offered at the time, nothing fancy or even cheaper.)

It worked fine although there were not lines when we went (February). The only issue we had was at one museum when a guard swiped us in and did not know how to use the card reader. He inserted my card once, thought it did not work, then tried to swipe it a second time and was indicating to me that it did not work. It did not work as it was only one entry per museum and he used it the first time. A bit of confusion, but I got in eventually.

For transit, we bought the multiday transit card they offered at the time. For most of these cards, there usually are not any/many ways to get these cards for less, since they are already at a discount.

BillJ

Hi! I would love to hear what you thought of the Tapas Tour and if you have any recommendations on things to do in Madrid. I love food, wine, culture and am traveling alone for 2-5 days in May. PM please. Thanks!