The right way to get round in Spain

Criss-crossing locations round Spain whether or not by land, air or sea is simple and handy resulting from Spain’s environment friendly multi-modal public transport infrastructure which has additionally been upgraded considerably over current years.

Spain additionally will get excessive marks for universally accessible travel. Guests with decreased mobility can transfer round simply as safely and inclusively. The nation’s public transport infrastructure resembling trains, buses and terminals have been designed for accessibility, providing specifically designated areas and tailored options for individuals with disabilities and anybody with mobility challenges, younger and previous alike. 

Prepare

RENFE is Spain’s nationwide railway firm that runs about 5000 trains every day throughout the nation. The very best and quickest method to journey lengthy distances in Spain is by taking the AVE (Alta Velocidad Española), which makes use of Madrid as its principal terminal and travels to lots of the nation’s principal cities. 

AVE trains are comfy, environment friendly and extremely quick. Touring as much as 310km (192.6 miles) per hour, it connects Madrid to Barcelona — over 600 kilometers away — in a mere 2.5 hours. 

The RENFE Alvia trains, which join the northern cities and areas to Madrid, are additionally high-speed trains with stops alongside the way in which. The RENFE Avant mid-distance high-speed trains or the Media Distancia (mid-distance) trains are essentially the most time-savvy possibility for nearer, day-trip locations.

The latest addition to RENFE’s fleet are the high-speed, low-cost Avlo trains with tickets. That is the most suitable choice for passengers with decreased mobility — all entrances to their carriages are at platform stage and have H seats for vacationers in wheelchairs, in addition to tailored bogs for individuals with disabilities. 

Exterior the Bilbao-Concordia railway station, also referred to as La Concordia Station © Jon Chica / Shutterstock

Bus

For budget-conscious vacationers, the bus is one of the simplest ways to maneuver round Spain in case you don’t thoughts the longer journey occasions. It’s additionally the popular method for locals to get round, given its comfort, economical ticket costs and connections to smaller cities the place trains don’t move. 

There are a number of bus service suppliers in each Spanish metropolis, and plenty of of those fleets provide fairly a snug journey with reclining seats and wifi on board to make touring over lengthy distances a easy and nice expertise.

Whereas tickets will be straight bought from the bus driver, it’s best to order and purchase them prematurely. Understand that the preferred routes and occasions are likely to get full fairly rapidly.

Tip for locating a bus service
To seek out out which bus providers are in operation at your departure level, Movelia.es supplies essentially the most complete info on obtainable nationwide bus routes (and even worldwide ones), schedules and buying, and has a number of language choices. 

Airplane

Flying is the quickest method to journey round Spain, and the most suitable choice to get to its outlying archipelagos — and hotspot vacationer locations, the Balearic Islands east of the peninsula or the Canary Islands within the Atlantic. Spain has common home flights working throughout its almost 60 airports, the principal ones are Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, and Barcelona’s El Prat Airport. 

Iberia Airlines is Spain’s nationwide provider that repeatedly gives fairly priced tickets in case you ebook prematurely. Its low-cost model Vueling, which repeatedly codeshares with Iberia, additionally gives a number of home day by day flight choices with inexpensive fares.

A traditional whitewashed fisherman village and a popular travel and holiday destination on Costa Brava, Catalonia, Spain.
Spain’s shoreline lends itself to boat journey, though for some locations just like the Canaries a airplane could also be greatest © Boris Stroujko / Shutterstock

Boat

A lot of Spain’s prime cities and islands are additionally vital cruise ports, together with Barcelona, Cádiz, Valencia, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, and Las Palmas (Canary Islands). If time shouldn’t be a problem, touring by boat or ferry throughout from the Peninsula throughout the Mediterranean or Atlantic waters is a nice, albeit drawn-out journey expertise. That is additionally the most suitable choice in case you want to take your automobile, motorcycle or bicycle on board.

Spain’s foremost delivery strains, Baleària and Trasmediterránea provide common journeys from foremost cities within the peninsula in addition to hourly connections within the Balearic Islands (between Ibiza, Mallorca, Formentera and Menorca) and the eight foremost islands of the Canaries. Passengers have the choice to ebook seats or cabins with beds.

Automotive-sharing providers

Automotive-sharing providers are a preferred and environmentally-friendly mode of transport for getting round Spain’s cities or regional cities. BlaBla Car is the preferred service that permits to ebook car-share rides to a number of factors round Spain. If you happen to’re within the driver’s seat and in search of some firm (or want to share the fuel invoice), you can too publish your individual rides, choose up factors and costs on the BlaBla Automotive web site.

Not solely is that this an economical method to journey throughout lengthy distances, it’s additionally an effective way to fulfill locals (and apply your Spanish!).

Granada City Tour with the shuttle bus along the Carrera del Darro in the Albayzin quarter
Transportations in Spain are all dedicated to accessibility wants resembling ramps, lifts and Braille markings © Benny Marty / Shutterstock

Accessible transport choices in Spain

Individuals with decreased mobility will discover Spain to be a extremely accessible and inclusive journey vacation spot. All Spanish airports present passengers with disabilities or decreased mobility free help providers, from the second you land, to safety and border controls and baggage assortment. These providers will be requested within the AENA (Spain’s state-owned airport operator). 

If you’re touring by prepare, RENFE’s Atendo is a free service that passengers can request for help in transiting between stations, boarding and disembarking prepare carriages. 

In Spain’s foremost cities, resembling Madrid and Barcelona, terminals and stations are largely designed to provide passengers full autonomy. Madrid’s Metro, for instance, has put in common accessibility options in all its stations, with over half of all stations absolutely accessible with lifts and ramps for wheelchair entry. As well as, step edges are bolstered and elevator indicators and handrails have Braille markings.

Barcelona’s entire metro (besides for 2 out of a complete of 162 stations) is accessible and has superior options resembling directional gadgets for blind individuals and luminous door gadgets on trains. Native metropolis buses have additionally been tailored for accessible journey, with tilts, ramps, and reserved areas for wheelchair customers and child carriages, in addition to Braille-embossed cease buttons.