The expert guide to getting around Spain
What is the best way to get around Spain?
Originally published December 21, 2022. Updated May 2024
All images are courtesy of the Spain Less Traveled team, unless otherwise stated.
Madrid Puerta de Atocha Almudena Grandes station, with its tropical garden. P
Well, there is not a one size fits all answer to that. The answer is complex as there are so many ways and many options too.
When planning your trip to Spain, you need to figure out how to move around the country. Spain offers a lot of possibilities, including domestic flights, buses, ferries, and one of the largest high-speed trains network in the world. Choosing how to move around depends on your destination(s), your travel style, your budget, and your timeframe. But don’t worry, the Spain Less Traveled team has your back. In this ultimate guide to getting around Spain, we talk about the various options.
But the fact is, there is not a one size fits all solution to getting around Spain. Every trip and traveler is different. And most Spain travel itineraries make use of varying transportation methods. Let us help you figure out which methods of transportation to use during your trip to Spain! Be sure to check out our various levels of personalized Spain travel planning services!
Trains: our favorite way of getting around Spain
AVE trains at Madrid Puerta de Atocha Almudena Grandes station.
Traveling by train is usually the easiest, fastest, and most sustainable way of getting around Spain. Spanish trains are mostly modern, comfortable, and usually on time. Taking a train is a relaxed and convenient way to travel - sit back and watch the beautiful landscapes of Spain unfold right before your eyes!
What are the types of trains in Spain?
Railroad network of Spain. Image courtesy of EOM.
There are five main types of train in Spain:
Alta Velocidad (High Speed)
With more than 3000 km, Spain has the second largest high-speed train network in the world, second only to China. Depending on the line, trains can reach speeds up to 310 kilometers per hour (that’s almost 200 miles per hour!). The network is radial, with most lines starting from Madrid*. Because it’s the most efficient and popular to get around Spain, tickets must be bought in advance. How far in advance depends on the line, the time of the year, and the operating company, usually about one to two months out, and up to three during busier times of the year.
(*There are a few exceptions though such as Valencia to Córdoba and Seville and a few routes in Galicia)
AVE, which is run by the state-owned company Renfe, has the most extensive network of high-speed trains.
Larga Distancia (Long Distance)
Long-distance lines cover many major destinations that don’t have high-speed connections. In certain cases, you can book tickets on Alvia or Altaria. These trains run on the high-speed tracks and then switch to slower-speed tracks to get to destinations not serviced by the AVE. They also tend to sell out depending on the date, so advance booking is also recommended.
Media Distancia (Mid Distance)
It covers the smaller cities and towns from large rail hubs such as Madrid, Barcelona, and even down south in Andalucia, Málaga. These trains are ideal for day trips as well as going to smaller cities and towns that do not have faster train service. Normally there is no need for advance booking for these types of trains (but this is not always the case).
Cercanías (Commuter trains)
Major cities in Spain (12 in total) have commuter train systems. These can be a bit complicated to navigate, but commuter trains often allow you to get to off-the-beaten-path destinations and small towns close to the major cities. You can not book these trains in advance, so you’ll have to buy the ticket at the train station, and expect the trains to be packed during rush hour, holidays, and festivals. These trains are great for day trips from places such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Málaga!
Luxury Trains
There are a few ‘cruise style’ luxury trains (yes, like the Orient Express). They can be quite pricey (around 5000 euros for an 8 day trip), but are an amazing experience, combining luxury cabins in historical cars, exquisite dining, and excursions to visit the main sights.
The most popular are: Al Andalus Express, which crosses Andalucia and Transcantábrico, all along the North coast.
How do I buy tickets and know which train to take?
There are currently three rail companies that run in Spain:
RENFE, the national railroad system, covers the whole country. The AVE is its high-speed train, but it has a low-cost high-speed option called AVLO that currently operates a few lines.
Some of the most popular AVE lines are Madrid to Andalucía (Córdoba, Málaga, Granada, and Seville), Seville to Valencia, Madrid to Valencia and Alicante, and Madrid to Barcelona.
OUIGO, is a French company currently running low-cost, high-speed trains between Madrid and Barcelona (stopping in Zaragoza) and Madrid and Valencia and Alicante.
IRYO, is an Italian company currently running low-cost, high-speed trains between Madrid and Barcelona (stopping in Zaragoza) and Madrid and Valencia and Madrid and Málaga and Seville (stopping in Córdoba).
We highly recommend booking through the official website for each company directly and not using a third party. Many third parties simply estimate train times and sell tickets for trains that do not exist. Also, if there is an issue with the ticket, you won’t be able to resolve it at the train station with the rail company. Buy direct.
When you buy your tickets, you will have to input some information including your passport number (Spaniards and residents of Spain can use their DNI/NIE number).
The number of bags that you can carry in your train varies depending on the company you use and the type of train. From practically all, you can carry in regular Renfe trains, to restrictions in size and weight in low-cost companies, where you pay the excess of baggage. Please consider that the space inside the trains is limited and tends to fill up quickly. If you have many bags, be the first to arrive on the train. There are normally overhead shelves on top of all seats for smaller bags and a vertical rack close to the door for bigger items.
How early should I get to the train station?
Spain has about 1500 train stations, all different sizes with varying services. Many of the smaller ones only have a couple of trains per day. Others may have hundreds of trains departing and arriving every day.
Big cities have several stations, depending on the destinations, so check out the station’s name on your ticket.
For example, Madrid has three main stations: Madrid Puerta de Atocha - Almudena Grandes, Madrid Chamartín - Clara Campoamor, and Madrid Príncipe Pío which is only used for some mid-distance trains.
Barcelona has two, Barcelona Sants and Estació de França.
Check your ticket to make sure you are going to the right station!
For all long-distance trains, we recommend arriving at the station about 45-30 minutes before your departure time, especially in bigger cities like Madrid and Barcelona. There will be a simple security control to enter the boarding area, nothing like at the airport, but there can still be lines. There are also ticket checks and locating the correct track can be confusing, so arriving early ensures you will have plenty of time.
Most other major cities have just one big central station for long and mid-distance trains: Joaquín Sorolla in Valencia, Santa Justa in Seville, María Zambrano in Málaga and Delicias in Zaragoza.
Also be aware that some new stations for high-speed trains are actually quite far from the city center, and you’ll need to take a taxi or a bus to get to the center. This is the case for Segovia, Cuenca, Tarragona and Antequera.
Big and mid-sized train stations have many different services, like restaurants and cafés, shops, restrooms (free or for a small fee), etc., except for luggage storage. This service was halted during the COVID pandemic and hasn’t generally restarted yet. In big cities, it’s easy to find many privately owned luggage storages close to the stations that you can use.
Should I buy a rail pass?
One of the most frequent questions that our clients ask us in regard to getting around Spain is if they should buy a rail pass.
There is of course no one size fits all answer, but in short, and generally speaking, no. We do not recommend buying a rail pass for Spain.
These passes hardly ever come out to be worth the cost. And they can be complicated to use, requiring seat reservations that can only be booked at train stations, not online.
So no, we generally do not recommend buying a rail pass.
Bus, great for filling in the gaps but can be confusing
Long-distance ALSA buses parked at a rest stop.
Even if Spain's network of trains network is very impressive, it doesn’t go everywhere. Thousands of smaller towns don’t have a railway connection, so for getting around Spain, especially to some of those off-the-beaten-path places without a car, you will have to take a bus.
Buses are normally cheaper than trains, so they can be also a budget alternative, even if travel times are longer. Long-distance buses usually have wifi and show movies.
The bad news is that there is a myriad of bus companies, so looking for timetables or booking a ticket can be a bit complicated. That’s when using a travel consultant like Spain Less Traveled comes in handy.
The main bus company is Alsa, operating all over the country and with many routes.
Other big companies are Avanza…
And the lesser-known Monbus.
For the rest of the smaller companies, we recommend using Movelia. It’s a search engine operated by all of the bus companies, so it’s like buying direct.
For very small or remote destinations, the best way to know the bus that gets there is to look at the town’s city hall (ayuntamiento) website. They normally list the bus company serving the town and the timetable. Beware though that bus times can change regularly, and they are not always updated. Especially for routes to smaller towns and with local bus companies.
Buses normally have a 30 kg baggage allowance, and you have to pay extra for extra weight. You also have to pay for carrying a bicycle or large sporting equipment such as skis. All luggage goes in the lower part of the bus and is controlled by the driver, so it’s relatively safe.
Should I rent a car in Spain?
The freedom and flexibility to explore Spain on your own terms (but sometimes you shouldn’t rent a car)
To get off the beaten path and explore Spain’s backroads, you often need a car.
Renting a car is a great way of getting around Spain. You can really go off the beaten path and have the freedom and flexibility to explore Spain on your own terms.
For example, a car is particularly handy if you want to stay in some of Spain’s paradores, explore far-flung castles, or get away from it all to explore some of Spain’s best landscapes.
But there is a lot to know before you decide whether renting a car in Spain is the right choice for you.
Many local and international car rental companies have offices throughout Spain and airports and train stations.
What do I need to rent a car in Spain?
First and foremost, you need a valid driver’s license to rent a car in Spain. And if your license was issued by a non-European Union member state, to drive legally in Spain, you will need to get an IDP (International Drivers Permit) which is basically an official translation of your driver’s license. Therefore visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia, and any other non-EU country will need the IDP*. You will want to add this to your Spain travel checklist and make sure you obtain it before leaving home.
The legal driving age in Spain is 18, but in most cases, you need to be at least 25 years old to rent a car.
(*Please remember this information is only for travelers. Legal residents of Spain need to jump through many more hoops to be able to legally drive in Spain, including obtaining a Spanish driver’s license. The IDP is not valid for residents of Spain who have been living in Spain for more than six months.)
What are the road rules in Spain?
There are several differences between driving in Spain and driving in other countries. We can not possibly go into all of the rules of the road in a travel blog, but the most important rule to know is that the speed limit is the speed limit.
In Spain, there is no grace period for just a few kilometers per hour over the posted speed limit. There are speed cameras all over the country, and you will get a ticket if you are speeding. Countless travelers have received surprise tickets in the mail several months or even years after their trip. Rental car companies will also assess a “courtesy fee” for paying tickets on your behalf.
So don’t speed. Enjoy driving in Spain at a more leisurely pace than at home, remember that you are on vacation! Getting around Spain in a car should be fun, it’s not a race!
Many towns and cities have areas where only residents can drive. These are not always signposted clearly and can lead to hefty fines. We never recommend driving in cities or historic cores of towns. Park on the outskirts and walk in or use public transportation.
Before driving in Spain it’s helpful to know what the most common signs mean. The study guide to the Spanish driving test (in English) has a comprehensive list and explanation of Spain’s road signs. Just be happy that you don’t have to take the Spanish driving tests to drive around Spain as a visitor!
When to rent a car and when NOT to rent a car!
Renting a car can be a fun and flexible way of getting around Spain. But it can also be more of as headache than it’s worth.
Renting a car comes with certain pitfalls as well as added costs and responsibilities (tolls, petrol, parking, etc). Therefore, as much freedom as having your own wheels comes with, there are many occasions when renting a car is not recommended.
For example, if you will only be in the cities. You do not need (or want!) a car in places like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Granada, Málaga, and more. All of these cities are walkable and have great public transportation, and you do not need a car to get around. Plus parking is a nightmare!
You probably don’t need to rent a car if your Spain travel itinerary includes places that are well connected by high-speed rail. Trains are faster and much more convenient and efficient (and more sustainable!)
If you will be going to certain areas of the north of Spain such as Asturias, Galicia, La Rioja, Navarra, Cantabria, or some smaller areas of the Basque Country, you probably want a car.
If you plan to explore Castilla y León or perhaps Don Quixote’s country: Castilla-La Mancha off the beaten path, you will also want a car. Especially if you will be traveling around these areas outside of the cities.
The same goes for Extremadura, the Balearic Islands, and other areas of Spain that are not well covered by trains.
There are also areas of the south where a car comes in handy, such as exploring the smaller towns or visiting provinces such as Jaén, Almería, or Huelva.
And for exploring both island chains (the Balearics and the Canaries) a car is best to have on each island. Therefore in places like Mallorca having a car will give you flexibility and freedom.
If you want to get off the beaten path in just about any region, having a car is not a bad idea. A popular option for our clients is to rent a car for a few days to visit some villages and natural/outdoor areas and then return to public transportation.
Again, there are so many variables here, and since off-the-beaten-path Spain is one of our passions, we’d love to help you work out which parts of your trip to drive and which parts to use public transportation. We have worked with clients to plan some epic Spanish road trips!
Sometimes having a car takes the fun out of getting around Spain as it can be added stress! Knowing when it is wise to rent one is super important and having access to a car in Spain gives you so much more freedom!
Ferries: because Spain has islands too!
Departing Barcelona from the night ferry to Menorca.
Spain is a peninsula with long coasts and a couple of big island groups: The Balearic and the Canaries. Ferries can be a fun way of getting around Spain to the islands (and between islands). Ferries are modern and safe but are generally short on amenities. Don’t expect great food or entertainment on board.
Balearic Islands
The four main islands of the archipelago, Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera are interconnected by a network of ferries and fast ships. They can also be reached by ferries from the mainland. From Barcelona and Valencia, you can get ferries to all of them, with times ranging from a few hours to an overnight sail. To reduce travel time, try to select the departing port closest to the destination, like for instance: Barcelona for Menorca, and Valencia for Mallorca and Ibiza. If Ibiza is your destination, the closest port is Denia. There are three companies operating:
and GNV.
You can book tickets directly with the companies.
Canary Islands
Ferries are also the best way to hop from one island to the other, even if there are also flights connecting them. There are also a few routes from the mainland (Cádiz and Huelva) to the islands, but take about a day and a half. Furthermore, the price is high. It’s really only convenient if you want to take your own car.
But for visiting islands, ferries are a great option, as they are fast and allow you to enjoy the views of the coast. There are some fast connections that for instance take you from Tenerife to Las Palmas in less than two hours.
The main ferries companies are:
and Fred Olsen,
Although there are other local smaller companies like:
or Biosfera Express that serve specific islands.
Ferry terminals tend to be very modern, working more or less like an airport of cruise terminal. And if you travel with your own car, you can take as much luggage as it fits in the trunk.
Domestic flights:
Not our top choice due to sustainability, but sometimes necessary
Iberia airplane ready to depart Madrid airport.
For a country, its size, taking a flight is not always the best option for getting around Spain. Yes, you can get from one point of the country to another in about an hour, but if you consider that airports are far from the city centers and that you have to be there about 2 hours before your flight departs… and the carbon footprint you’ll leave is huge… then a high-speed train is a much better option.
But Spain is a large country and it has several islands too, so sometimes flying is the way to go.
Spain has several domestic flights carriers:
Iberia. It’s Spain’s National air carrier, handling both international and domestic flights. They can be a bit expensive, but they have regular discounts, and if you plan in advance you can get good deals.
Vueling. It’s a low-cost airline in the same group as Iberia. They are focused more on flights serving Barcelona, but also have other connections.
AirEuropa. It has some domestic routes and is sometimes the best option for going from the peninsula to the Canary Islands.
Ryanair. Europe’s largest low-cost carrier operates a lot of flights in Spain. They are sometimes the only choice for certain domestic destinations.
As always with flying, and Spain is not the exception, be aware of extra costs, like for checked baggage, taxes, etc. when booking your flight. Also, as with trains, we recommend booking your tickets directly with the airlines. It helps when something goes wrong.
Spain has a network of 45 airports, mostly very modern and well-equipped. Sometimes you’ll be surprised of how big is the airport compared to the size and importance of the city. All airports are operated by AENA, so their webpage is the best place to get information on the services offered by every airport, updated departures and arrivals times, etc. For domestic flights, play it on the safe side and arrive 2 hours earlier at the airport, especially in high-season.
Map with commercial airports of Spain. Image courtesy of Wikipedia
What are the common mistakes made in getting around Spain?
Here are some issues you should be aware of when figuring out how to get around Spain.
Transport search engines like Omio, Rome2Rio or Trainline are OK to help you find the possible connections between two points, but their information is not usually updated and precise. So we recommend that once you know the way to go, go to the carrier’s site to check the information. Also, use these sites only for reference as information is often outdated.
The same applies to third-party ticket sellers. Get the information on the ticket you need, but book it on the carrier’s official webpage. It will be less expensive and you’ll have direct contact in case of a delay, cancellation, problems, etc.
Getting tickets on the spot on the very day of your trip can work for regional lines, but it’s a bad idea for long-distance and high-speed trains. Those tickets can sell out several days in advance on popular lines and dates, so you can find yourself stranded. Also, you’ll pay a lower price if you buy in advance. This is especially important if you will be traveling to Spain during high-season, major holidays, and major festivals.
Finally and most importantly, not seeking professional help when needed. Booking the wrong types of transportation for your trip or linking cities in an order that makes no logistical sense is a major Spain travel mistake. It can turn even the best-planned trips into a travel nightmare. We know that with so many options this can feel a bit overwhelming, and figuring out how to get around Spain can feel like a puzzle to solve.
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