Public
Transport in Spain
Public transport
is generally very good in Spanish cities, most of which have efficient
bus and rail systems. If you plan to remain within the principal Spanish
cities, public transportation will likely prove far more convenient and pleasant
than driving.
Intercity
Rail: The Spanish rail network is operated by a state owned company
called
Red
Nacional de
los Ferrocarriles Españoles (RENFE). They operate a wide range of services
and fares. Their fastest trains, the AVE, are among Europe's best with
their slowest travelling about the same speed as a bus.
The RENFE
provides a service to all major cities, although it doesn't run to
many small
towns, and is supplemented by networks such as the FFCC city lines
in Barcelona and private railways.
There are
also a huge variety of local, short-distance trains called tranvía (also a tram).
Suburban commuter trains (cercanías) are second class only and stop
at all stations.
Buses: The
local bus services in Spanish cities run from around 0600 until between
22:00 and midnight,
when a more expensive night system comes into operation. Most buses
don't have a lot of seats, opting instead for maximum standing room.
Urban buses are quite slow although some major cities provide dedicated
bus lanes.
Most towns have a bus terminal. Keep in mind that when waiting at a bus stop,
the bus may not always stop for you unless you indicate you wish it to.
Taxis: You should only
use taxis that display a special licence. They are of a very high standard
as they are governed by strict legislation. They display a green light
when they are free (libre). They can be flagged down or found at a
taxi rank and are metered but have a set price for certain journeys.
Tipping is a customary 5-10%.
Metro: There
are metro lines in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. They offer the fastest
way
to get around these cities and are unsurprisingly crowded during rush
hours. Special tickets are available including a cheap day return,
a metrocard allowing three / 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 or from the area guides
on this site.
For more in depth
information on this topic, we highly recommend:
Living
and Working in Spain: A Survival Guide
Click to check the
price at Amazon UK.
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