Spanish Transportation Made Easy
Holiday Spain Travel
Go ahead, travel to Spain. No matter what month you visit, the weather is always enjoyable any time of year! Yet, spring thru late summer-early autumn are the best times for visiting. Fair weather is practically guaranteed and the Spanish countryside is at its best this time of year. The country of Spain is beautiful and offers diverse activities and attractions in every city you may decide to visit. The culture is rich with history and traditional festivities all the year around! These and other reasons make Spain the second most visited country across the globe.
In addition, getting around place-to-place is quite easy now. You can easily opt for a private mode of transportation, such as a Car Hire Spain. Or you can select from a variety of public transportation systems. From roads to railways, Spain has invested a lot into its public transportation systems and visitors can benefit from this by easily commuting from one magnificent destination to another.
Airlines and affordable fares have turned Spain into a beach resort for locals and tourists alike. Visitors can sit back and experience the magic of Spain’s historical cities while traveling by way of a host of choices such as train, plane, shuttle, bus, taxi, or even self-drive.
Spain by Train
The Spanish railway system is considered the best in Europe and is state-run. The RENFE covers a large number of lines connecting all the regions and major cities. RENFE trains offer a wide range of high quality, comfort, and punctuality. Most of these trains supply additional services such as phone service, snack bar or a restaurant. RENFE, also, supplies night train services between several cities in Spain.
Spanish trains are the most inexpensive forms if transportation in Europe. Besides the regular trains and sleeper cars, there is now a more modern way to travel. AVE is high-speed trains and offer services between Madrid and Seville and Madrid and Malaga. There is also a huge variety of local, short-distance trains called tranvia (also known as a tram). Suburban commuter trains (cercanias) are considered second-class form of transportation as they are not known for cleanliness, however, they do stop at all stations.
The trains are on time, well maintained, and clean. They do not go everywhere, but they do stop at the major cities and tourist’s attractions. Tickets are issued on daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
The Metro, also part of Spain’s Transport System, runs in the major cities like Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia. The underground Metro system operates with great success and avoids the traffic congestion above ground. It is the fastest mode of transportation; however, it becomes crowed and uncomfortable during rush hour. The metro is made up of five interlinking lines. Trains run on these lines at intervals of around six to seven minutes. An underground railway system found in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia which offer the fastest way to get around these cities. Tickets are readily available and can be purchased from any of the various stations. A map (Plano del metro) showing the lines in different colors can be obtained from the ticket offices.
The main cities have local networks connecting the smaller towns and villages. In Madrid, there are nine lines with frequent services of less than 15 minutes with a 95% punctuality. From Madrid Central station travelers can easily reach any other destination in Spain. For example, Madrid to Valencia is a 4-hour train ride.
'Cercanias' trains (suburban services) are the newest trains in Europe with connections to: Toledo, Segovia, and the Escorial PalaceCosts for making a reservation, in Europe, for a day train are:
- Regional trains (when needed): 4 euro
- Tourist/2nd class, long distance trains: 6.50 euro
- Tourist 2nd class, AVE trains: 10 euro
- Preferente/1st class, long distance trains (without meal in place included): 10 euro
- Preferente/1st class, long distance trains (meal included, Euromed, Altaria, Alaris, etc): 23.50 euro
- Preferente/1st class, AVE trains (meal included): 23 euro
Special Trains
You can travel by train through Europe on a large variety of special trains. Examples are high-speed trains, scenic trains or night trains. Special trains mostly require a small supplement or a reservation fee from Eurail Pass holders
Spain by Plane
Getting to Spain via air travel is so easy. The major airlines usually go to larger cities like Barcelona and Madrid, but you can also get less expensive airlines, like easy Jet and Ryan air to get to your destination. Charters flights can take the traveler’s to the major Spanish airports from Madrid or Barcelona and connect to any major city in Spain. All major European carriers have connecting flights from Europe to numerous destinations in Spain.
There are several international Airports in Spain, the most important being Madrid Barajas Airport. Other cities with international airports are Barcelona, Alicante, Malaga, Seville, and Alicante. The Spanish flag airline is Iberia and covers international and domestic destinations. Flight times from Madrid to other Spanish cities are: to Barcelona 55 minutes, Bilbao 50 minutes, Seville 50 minutes, Valencia 30 minutes and the Canary Islands 2 hours and 30 minutes. Flight information for flights in Spain can be obtained from Aena.
Air Fares for flights to Spain vary through the year, depending on demand and they are generally highest during the summer months. Domestic flights are readily available throughout Spain and with more air carriers surfacing prices are becoming more competitive. It is recommended to book flights as far in advance as possible as last minute seats tend to be more expensive when traveling internally in Spain.
Spain by Shuttle/Bus
Buses are a popular and direct method of travel within Europe, and often can save you a considerable amount of money. Generally thought of as public transportation within cities, buses should also be considered as a supplement or substitute for other methods of travel. They are useful for getting to the more remote locations that trains do not service, and can sometimes be the fastest route for specific point-to-point travel.
For longer journeys, buses usually tend to be cheaper than either plane or train travel. Not only are you able to reach your destination, but you‘ll also have the opportunity to rub shoulders with the locals. The local bus services in cities run from around 0600 until between 22:00. Nowadays luxury coaches are used for longer journeys taken by bus around Spain Services vary depending on the area you visit but in general the Spanish bus services offer a very comfortable, reliable and inexpensive way to travel
There are many bus companies throughout Spain that offer good service. Generally, public buses are of a high standard, well maintained, cheap and they stop often. They are also much cheaper than the taxi. Service varies in quality, but buses are generally reliable and comfortable enough, especially, for long distances. There are regular bus services to Spain from all major centers in Europe, including Lisbon, London, and Paris. Keep in mind, however, that on Sundays and public holidays, schedules are drastically reduced and it is best to avoid traveling on those days.
Public transport is very good and over the last twenty years, Spain has gone through a major campaign of upgrading all aspects of its public transport system. It is also has frequent stops, efficient, convenient, well maintained and clean. If you want to relax and have a more pleasant trip than public transportation is the way to see Spain and its nearby historical cities.
