🚆 Transportation Guide for Spain

Overview

Spain has an excellent transportation network connecting cities and regions. From high-speed AVE trains to affordable buses, efficient metro systems to scenic coastal drives, there are many ways to explore the country. Understanding your options helps you save money and time.

🚄 Trains (Renfe)

Spain's national railway company, Renfe, operates several train types:

AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) - High-Speed Trains

• Speed: Up to 310 km/h (193 mph)
• Routes: Madrid-Barcelona (2.5h), Madrid-Seville (2.5h), Madrid-Valencia (1.5h), Madrid-Malaga (2.5h)
• Price: €30-120 depending on route, time, and how far ahead you book
• Comfort: Excellent — spacious seats, power outlets, café car, smooth ride
• Booking: Book 2-3 months ahead for best prices (up to 70% discount). Last-minute can be expensive.
• Classes: Turista (standard), Turista Plus (more space), Preferente (business)

Other Train Types

• Avant: Medium-distance high-speed. Madrid-Toledo (33min, €12-21).
• Alvia/Altaria: Long-distance trains, slightly slower than AVE. €25-80.
• Regional/MD (Media Distancia): Regional trains. Slower but cheaper. €8-25.
• Cercanías: Commuter trains around major cities. €1.50-4 per ride.

Booking Tips

• ✔ Book at renfe.com or Trainline app
• ✔ "Promo" and "Promo+" fares are cheapest (non-refundable, specific train)
• ✔ Buy tickets 60-90 days ahead for biggest discounts
• ✔ Tuesday-Thursday trains often cheaper than weekends
• ✔ Youth (<26) and senior (>60) discounts available
• ✔ Interrail/Eurail passes accepted (but reservation fees apply for AVE)

🚌 Long-Distance Buses

Buses are the cheapest option for intercity travel, often half the price of trains:

Major Bus Companies

• ALSA: Largest network, covers most of Spain. Good comfort, free WiFi. alsa.com
• Avanza: Madrid region and northwest Spain. avanzabus.com
• Socibus: Southern routes (Seville, Cadiz, Malaga). socibus.es
• FlixBus: Budget European carrier, expanding in Spain. flixbus.com

Example Routes & Prices

• Madrid-Barcelona: 7-8h, €20-35 (vs €30-80 train)
• Madrid-Seville: 6h, €18-30 (vs €35-70 train)
• Seville-Granada: 3h, €15-22
• Barcelona-Valencia: 4h, €15-25
• Malaga-Granada: 1.5h, €10-15

Bus Travel Tips

• ✔ Book online for discounts (5-20% cheaper than bus station)
• ✔ Overnight buses save a hotel night
• ✔ Premium/Supra buses have more legroom and better seats (+€3-5)
• ✔ Bring snacks — limited food stops
• ✔ Luggage included (1 large + 1 small bag)

🚇 City Metro & Public Transport

Madrid Metro

• Second-largest metro in Europe (12 lines, 300+ stations)
• Single ticket: €1.50-2.00
• 10-trip card: €12.20 (best value for tourists)
• Tourist Travel Pass: 1-7 days (€8.40-€35.40) — unlimited metro/bus
• Runs 6am-1:30am

Barcelona Metro

• 8 lines covering city and suburbs
• Single ticket: €2.40
• T-Casual (10 trips): €11.35 (best for short stays)
• Hola Barcelona Card: 2-5 days (€16.30-€38.00) — unlimited transport
• Runs: Mon-Thu 5am-midnight, Fri-Sat 5am-2am, Sun 5am-midnight

Valencia Metro

• Modern, clean system with 9 lines
• Single ticket: €1.50
• 10-trip card: €8.00
• Tourist card (1-3 days): €4.00-€10.70
• Includes metro AND buses

Seville Metro

• Small system (1 main line + tram)
• Single: €1.35
• Most tourists walk or use buses

Other Cities

• Bilbao: Modern metro, €1.70, integrated with funicular
• Granada/Malaga: Bus-based (no metro). €1.30-1.40 per ride

🚗 Car Rental

When to Rent a Car

• ✔ Exploring rural areas (white villages, coastal routes)
• ✔ Day trips from major cities (Ronda, Toledo, Segovia)
• ✔ Regions with limited public transport (northern Spain, interior)
• ✔ Groups of 3+ people (cost-effective when split)

When NOT to Rent

• ✖ City-to-city travel (train/bus cheaper and faster)
• ✖ Staying in city centers (parking expensive €15-30/day, traffic difficult)
• ✖ Solo budget travelers (not cost-effective)

Rental Costs & Tips

• Price: €20-50/day for small car, €40-80/day for SUV
• Insurance: Check if your credit card covers collision damage (CDW)
• Fuel: Full-to-full policy (return with full tank to avoid fees)
• Companies: Centauro, Goldcar (local, cheaper), Europcar, Hertz (international)
• Age: Minimum 21-23, under 25 pays young driver surcharge (€10-25/day)
• License: EU/EEA license OK. Non-EU may need International Driving Permit
• Tolls: Highways (autopistas) often have tolls (€5-30 depending on distance)

Parking Tips

• Blue lines: paid parking (€1-3/hour)
• Green lines: residents only
• White lines: free (rare in city centers)
• Public parkings: €15-30/day in cities
• Hotels: ask about parking before booking (€10-25/night extra)

✈️ Airports & Transfers

Major Airports

• Madrid-Barajas (MAD): Largest. Metro to center (€5, 30min), Airport Express bus (€5, 40min), taxi (€30, 25min)
• Barcelona-El Prat (BCN): Aerobus (€5.90, 35min), metro L9 (€5.15, 30min), train (€4.60, 25min), taxi (€35, 25min)
• Malaga (AGP): Train to center (€1.80, 12min) — BEST option, bus (€3, 20min), taxi (€20-25, 20min)
• Seville (SVQ): Bus (€4, 35min), taxi (€22-25, 20min)
• Valencia (VLC): Metro (€3.90, 30min), bus (€1.50, 40min), taxi (€20-25, 20min)
• Bilbao (BIO): Bus Bizkaibus (€1.45, 25min), taxi (€25-30, 20min)

Budget Airlines in Spain

• Ryanair: Ultra-budget, many Spanish routes. Watch for extra fees.
• Vueling: Spanish budget airline, good network within Spain.
• Iberia Express: Iberia's budget subsidiary.
• easyJet: Connects major Spanish cities to Europe.

Tip: Often cheaper to take train/bus than fly domestically when you factor in airport transfers and baggage fees.

🚕 Taxis & Ride Apps

Official Taxis

• Colors: White with colored stripe (varies by city). Green light = available.
• Rates: €1.50-2.50 flag drop + €1-1.50/km. Night/weekend/airport surcharges apply.
• Average city ride: €6-12
• Airport fixed rates: Madrid (€30), Barcelona (€39 to Plaça Catalunya)
• Tipping: Not expected. Round up to nearest euro.

Ride-Hailing Apps

• Cabify: Most popular, available in major cities. Similar prices to taxis.
• Uber: Limited availability (only in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga).
• FreeNow (MyTaxi): App to hail official taxis. Convenient for payment.
• Bolt: Available in some cities, slightly cheaper than Cabify.

Safety: Official taxis are very safe. Avoid unlicensed cars at airports.

🚲 Bicycles & Scooters

Bike Rentals

• City bikes: €10-15/day from shops
• Electric bikes: €20-30/day
• Best cities for cycling: Valencia (flat, bike paths), Seville (bike-friendly), Barcelona (coastal path)
• Bike share: Most systems require local registration (not tourist-friendly)

Electric Scooters

• Apps: Lime, Bolt, Tier (available in major cities)
• Cost: €1 unlock + €0.20-0.30/minute
• Rules: No sidewalk riding, helmet recommended (not mandatory), max 25 km/h

💰 Money-Saving Tips

• ✔ Book trains early: 60-90 days ahead for up to 70% discount
• ✔ Use buses for budget travel: Often half the price of trains
• ✔ Buy multi-trip metro cards: Saves 30-40% vs single tickets
• ✔ Walk city centers: Most attractions within 20-30min walk
• ✔ Avoid taxis to/from airports: Public transport much cheaper
• ✔ Travel Tuesday-Thursday: Cheaper trains and flights
• ✔ Split car rentals: Cost-effective for groups of 3-4
• ✔ Check airport train options: Often €2-5 vs €25-40 taxi
• ✔ Overnight buses: Save accommodation cost
• ✔ Student/youth cards: Discounts on trains and buses

📱 Useful Apps

• Renfe: Train booking and tickets
• Trainline: Compare train prices, easier interface than Renfe
• ALSA: Bus booking
• Moovit: Public transport directions for all Spanish cities
• Google Maps: Works well for metro, bus, and walking directions
• Cabify/FreeNow: Taxi and ride-hailing
• BlaBlaCar: Carpooling (cheap long-distance rides)