Getting around Spain
Trains
Train travel in Spain is fairly reliable and inexpensive.
Most of Spain's rail network is run by RENFE (Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Espaņoles) who operate fast intercity trains. Train schedules and online ticket purchases are available from RENFE. However there are many interesting journeys to be made on the narrow gauge (1 metre) lines particularly in the north of the country.
Some of the train stations operate a ticket system from the information desks. Before queueing check to see if you need a numbered ticket dispensed from a machine.
AVE - high speed line running south from Madrid to Seville and Cordoba, Andalucia. A second line is due to be completed in 2008 between Madrid and Barcelona. This second line currently runs for 450kms to Lleida where it changes gauge and completes the remaining 150km journey at a slower speed to Barcelona. A connecting bus service from Lleida will take you to the Pyrenees in a couple of hours.
- Talgo 200 - the fastest major city to city service
- Rapidos - daytme long-distance inter-regional trains
- Estrellas - nightime long-distance inter-regional trains
- Cercanias - local commuter trains stopping at all stations on the route
- Euromed - high speed train from Barcelona to Valencia
- Arco - Barcelona to Valencia stopping at cities along the Mediterranean coast
- Alaris - high speed line between Madrid and Valencia
- Altaria - high speed
Buses
Local bus services in Spanish cities have a daytime service and a more expensive night system. Be aware that bus drivers may not stop at bus stops unless you indicate you wish it to. Tickets can either be purchased on the bus or at tobacconists (estancos).
Taxis
Taxis are governed by strict legislation and are found at a taxi rank or flagged down. A green light displaying "libre" indicates the taxi is available.
Metro
Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia have a metro system. Special tickets are available including a cheap day return, a metrocard allowing three or five days unlimited use, and weekly and monthly passes. A map (plano del metro) showing the lines in different colours can be obtained from the ticket offices.
Car Hire
The usual car rental companies are well represented at the airports and in the main towns. See our car rental page.
Driving tips
There are some compulsory items that must be carried in a car, rented or owned, which are listed below:
- Valid driving licence, vehicle registration document, insurance certificate. Legally certified copies are acceptable.
- Visibility vests for each passenger should be available in the car (not the boot) and should be put on before getting out of the vehicle.
- Spare pair of spectacles (corrective glasses) if you wear theem.
- Headlamp converters if you are driving a right-hand vehicle
- Spare bulbs/lamps and the tools to change them.
- Warning triangle EU approved (only one is compulsory for non-Spanish registered cars but 2 is recommended).
- An EU number plate or a sticker with your country code
- An International Driving Licence for non-EU drivers.
