Transportation

Transportation in Spain

Spain's transportation infrastructure is modern and efficient, with excellent public transit in cities and one of the world's best high-speed rail networks.

Public Transit by City

Madrid (best metro in Spain):

• 12 metro lines, 300+ stations
• Monthly unlimited: €54 (all zones)
• 24/7 on weekends
• Very clean and safe
• Cercanías commuter trains included

Barcelona:

• Metro (TMB): 8 lines
• Monthly pass (Zone 1): €40
• Integrated with buses, trams, FGC trains
• Not 24/7 (closes ~midnight weekdays, 2am weekends)

Valencia:

• Metro + tram network
• Monthly pass: €40
• Less extensive but covers main areas
• Beach tram line

Sevilla, Bilbao, others:

• Metro or tram systems
• €30-45/month passes
• More limited but functional

National Rail (Renfe)

AVE (High-Speed):

• Madrid-Barcelona: 2.5 hours (€30-120)
• Madrid-Sevilla: 2.5 hours
• Madrid-Valencia: 1.5 hours
• Comfortable, punctual, WiFi
• Book early for best prices

Regional trains:

• Slower but cheaper
• Connect smaller cities
• Good for day trips

Tips:

• Renfe website can be frustrating—use Trainline app
• Buy tickets 60-90 days early for discounts
• Youth card (under 30): 20-40% discount

Buses

Local city buses:

• Extensive networks
• Included in metro passes
• €1.50-2 single ticket

Intercity buses (ALSA, Avanza):

• Cheaper than trains
• More routes to small towns
• Madrid-Barcelona: €15-40 (6-8 hours)
• Comfortable, WiFi usually available

BlaBlaCar (Rideshare)

Very popular in Spain for intercity travel:

• Share rides with drivers
• Much cheaper than train/bus
• Social aspect
• Madrid-Barcelona: €15-25

Driving and Car Ownership

Do you need a car?

• Madrid, Barcelona: No
• Valencia, Sevilla: Helpful but not essential
• Small towns, rural areas: Yes
• Costa del Sol: Helpful for exploring

Driver's license:

• EU license: Valid in Spain
• Non-EU: Valid for 6 months, then must exchange
• US licenses: Can exchange (varies by state)
• Driving test not required for most exchanges

Costs:

• Gas: €1.50-1.80/liter (expensive!)
• Insurance: €400-1,000/year
• Parking: €80-150/month in cities (if needed)
• Tolls: Common on autopistas (highways)

Driving culture:

• Drive on right side
• More aggressive than Northern Europe
• Parking challenging in city centers
• Speed cameras common

Car Rental

Long-term rental:

• Monthly: €300-600
• Insurance included
• Flexibility
• No ownership costs

Short-term:

• €25-60/day
• Book online for best rates
• Check for hidden fees

Bicycles

Bike-sharing:

• Madrid: BiciMAD (electric bikes)
• Barcelona: Bicing (residents only)
• Valencia: Valenbisi
• Sevilla: SEVici

Costs: €25-50/year membership

Cycling infrastructure:

• Improving but varies by city
• Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla: Good bike lanes
• Madrid: Less bike-friendly
• Drivers not always respectful

Scooters and Motorcycles

Moped/scooter:

• Very popular in cities
• €1,500-3,000 to buy
• Parking much easier than cars
• License required (varies by cc)

E-scooters (Lime, Tier, etc.):

• Available in major cities
• €0.25/minute typical
• Convenient for short trips
• Parking regulations vary

Taxis and Ride-Sharing

Taxis:

• Metered, regulated
• €1.50-2.50 base + €1.20-1.50/km
• More expensive than US rideshare but reasonable
• White with colored stripe (varies by city)

Ride-sharing:

• Cabify: Main option (like Uber)
• Uber limited in many cities
• Slightly more expensive than taxis
• Good for airport runs

Air Travel

Domestic flights:

• Vueling, Iberia, Ryanair
• Madrid-Barcelona: €30-100
• Often cheaper than train if booked early
• Useful for Canary/Balearic Islands

Airports:

• Madrid-Barajas (MAD): Main hub
• Barcelona-El Prat (BCN): Second largest
• €5-12 metro to city center typically