Around the World with Wes and Masami - Around the World Travelogue by Wes and Masami Heiser with Journal Photographs Expenses Lodging Guide Schedule Preparation Route

US citizen:	No visa required, visitors permitted to stay 3 months.
Japanese citizen:	No visa required, visitors permitted to stay 3 months.

At minimum, a Spanish phrasebook is needed. Basic knowledge of Spanish and a Spanish-English dictionary is recommended.

Available everywhere. Most are on the Plus and Cirrus networks. The usual maximum withdrawal is PTS 10,000.

US$ 1 = 179 Spanish Pesetas (PTS) on December 30, 2000. Currency will change to the Euro on January 1, 2002.

220V, 50Hz. Plugs have 2 round pins.

International Certificates of Vaccination are not required.

A service charge is included in the restaurant bill. No additional tip is required, but if you choose to tip, 5% is plenty.

Single-ride tickets (PTS 150) and 10-ride tickets (PTS 825 for a T-1, PTS 1325 for a T-10x2) are sold at ticket machines at the entrance of each Metro station. There are no travel zones to worry about. One ticket use is the same price whether traveling one stop or multiple stops with the following limitations:

Single-ride	One entry into the metro system; metro line and funicular train transfers permitted. Or one bus ride without the option to transfer.
T-1	Same as 10 single-ride tickets at a discount.
T-10x2	Same as a T-1 with one transfer between the metro and bus permitted per ticket validation.

Other ticket options are one-day, 3-day, and 5-day unlimited travel tickets, but the prices are considerably higher. Long term visitors can purchase a 50/30 ticket that permits 50 rides within a 30 day period.

Single-ride tickets (PTS 145) and 10-ride tickets (PTS 760) are sold at ticket machines at the entrance of each Metro station. There are no travel zones to worry about. One ticket use is the same price whether traveling one stop or multiple stops with transfers.

There's a Left Luggage office at the Madrid Atocha train station. Office hours: 06:30-22:20.